Hi guys/gals! I'm grateful to find this site and randomly, on a whim, join. I found this site while looking up info on the best all-inclusive manual for my truck (which appears to be the factory Ford technician manuals, makes sense) and was weighing my options on an alternator. I really don't know much about automobiles, I can do basic stuff but never really had a favorite car, truck, etc, nor really knew much about makes, models, etc. I was just happy making it A to B and maybe C and back. However, in hindsight, it makes sense I've leaned towards trucks, especially smaller/mid-size off-road, power packed trucks. My Dad always had a truck and an old army jeep to plow the driveway. I'm not in an industry where I need a truck for work but just love having the ability to move, haul, etc, and I use the bed with a camper, shell, topper whatever the appropriate name is as a mobile dog house and place to rest/camp, etc. I also love the idea of going off the path, off-road, into the foot hills, camping, etc. Granted I haven't used my truck much for off-roading (even though it's setup for that) but moving forward I plan to go off the path more. My first truck was a small black ranger, no 4x4, 5-speed manual, v4. Great gas mileage, sucked driving on the Wisconsin roads even with a lot of weight. Still, I was hooked on Rangers ever since. Even truck savvy people, mechanics, Ford-hatters, etc. would praise Rangers, often telling me if you took good care of a Ranger's engine, probably go through at least one tranny, you can get 400K+ ,miles out of them. That Rangers are built well, last long and pack a punch. I definitely love my present ranger, specs in title. I found it sad Ford stopped producing Rangers for North America in 2010 or 11? However, I got really excited when I did some mystery shopping for a large dealership in Wisconsin to receive a 2019 promo flyer on the upcoming Rangers even Ranger Raptors! I haven't tracked that much lately, presently not in the market to get one, sadly. :( Even though I don't have much experience in auto-mechanics, I plan to take repairs to my Ranger in my hands as much as possible and hopefully learn some new skills. I have an alternator to replace. I was quoted by auto-zone $152 and change with a $15 core charge. I've replaced one alternator before and it was on my brother's junk car I was trying to run. I also watched a video on replacing one specifically for my Ranger. It doesn't seem to challenging. I am on a tight budget and I think I can find a better deal online, I just don't know who to trust, what site to go to, what's a fair price, new or refurbished, etc. I am not sure which sub-forum to post my alternator questions but I am assuming Technical Forum--> General Technical & Electrical? If you actually read all of this, much obliged, apologies for such a long post and to Ramble-On. :) Glad to be here. Cheers.
-MG

"I've got a fever and the only prescription is more Ranger!"

 

In regards to most material things and services in life, you get what you pay for. Paying less usually doesn't bode well with parts like an alternator, and I personally wouldn't cheap out on something that runs my truck and can cause my truck to stop running at any moment in time due to poor workmanship by the remanufacturer. Even the new alternators sold at parts houses can be troublesome, but they're usually easy to return for a replacement, just an inconvenience to have to do so.

 

Yeah, roger that thanks for taking the time to respond. Since I don't really have a good frame of reference on parts and prices you know I wasn't sure I spoke to mechanic today and they said a new alternator should be around 150 and AutoZone is selling a remade one for 152 so that sounds a little high but maybe I'm wrong.

 

That's usually the price point for the alternators in these trucks. The new ones are around $180.

 

Thank you very much. :)

 

Welcome to the forum.

You could always go the salvage yard route if you have one. I got my replacement at the local U-Pull for 20 bucks. Brought it to Autozone to have them test it (they will do that for free) and it tested good so I put it in. These are almost the easiest alternators I’ve ever replaced. Right on top, three bolts and the electric.

Good luck and take your time, watch the videos and ask when you don’t know. That’s the best way to learn, IMO.