So, I like lights.... And winter is coming, and I like heat, too..... And wipers. So, driving to work on these cold, foggy, dark New England mornings, I've been running most of my lights, my wipers, and the heat. I watch my battery gauge DROP at intersections. I'm afraid I'm gonna burn up my alternator if I keep running it at full field. Any suggestions or past experience with swapping in a higher-amp alternator?

 

Explorer alternator and swapping to led or hid instead of halogens

 

Specifically, what explorer alternator? Year for year? Any mods needed?

 

Didn't realize you had a 3.0 till now lol but some explorers had the 130amp alternator over the 95amp. I believe you can still use the 130 in 3.0 from a google search but only 2/3 bolts will line up

not sure about aftermarket really, i've never looked.

 

Yeah.... I wanted a 4.0 when I was looking, but the stance, color, and lights made me pick the ranger I currently have. That, and I only really use the ranger to commute to and from work and occasionally carry something in the bed. The 3.0 is perfect for a DD, mpg, and it's peppy when paired with a 5speed. Oh.... And the fact that half the stepside ranger is plastic helps with the power to weight ratio. Lol.

 

yeah theres nothing wrong with a 3.0, i've had two of them lol. I just didn't notice till after I posted that you had a 3.0 since my original post was aimed towards having a 4.0L truck

 

Eh, no worries. I'm gonna have to do some research. Figured I'd post my question here first. See if anyone had already asked the questions and found the answers for me. I'm being lazy....

 

Not only the Alternator will go but the battery will have future problems as well.

What about just buying one from a company like Wrangler Power Products or others, pricey but you get what you pay for and what fits, not to mention will do the job.

Before buying, attempt to determine what the full amperage draw of your truck will be plus 20%, then go out and get an alternator that does what you need.

OEM = 65 amps
Lights = ____ amps
Future New Stereo Amp = ____ amps
Any other future electrical Projects = ____ amps

Total present and future draw = x .20 Safety Factor = ____ Total System Amps plus Safety Factor

If your total system draw in amps is around 90 amps then an 130 OEM 3.0L Ford should do the trick but will it fit.

There was a guy on this site that purchased what he thought was the correct alternator, it was for a 4.0L and did’t fit so watch what you buy.

If it was me and I was adding more than four lights and a future amp I think I would first do as 99offroadrngr said, LED, etc, then put in a 150 or 180 amp alternator… just in case.
Another solution might be to consider a second battery (along with the higher output alternator); one for the truck and one for the accessories and add larger cables to carry the higher amperage AND redo the grounding system to handle the higher amperage and make sure everything is clean and flowing.

There is a grounding how to called “The Big Three” think on it and add another ground wire from the starter bolt to the battery.

Just thinking out loud !

 

I'm not putting in a stereo amp. Don't need it. Lol. I plan to check my local parts stores this afternoon to see what they have, if anything, for a higher output alternator.