High Output Alternators for 1st Gen

I am going to upgrade to a 2-battery system and want a better alternator. After looking over all the posts here on this subject, I found this website.

The most powerful model has 200 amp output at idle!
Anyone have one of these? REALLY expensive, but are they worth it?

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/vafproducts/list?make=Toyota&model=Tacoma&year=2001&engine=3.4L+V6+5VZ-FE

 

LC engineering sells higher output alternators too

 

I do and one other member that I know of. Not worth it. They have fitment issues. See here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/update-lower-alternator-bracket-keeps-breaking.393586/

I just received mine back (a second time) from getting a new case and the regulator replaced by them. But I just ordered a ho alt from @BamaToy1997 Because I'm tired of dealing with it breaking. He uses oem cases so they're exact replacements and as such are beafier. But there are other options like singer and mean green.

 

Don't people buy alternators made for GM cars and install them on 1st gen Tacomas? And then they have to slightly modify? But it's well worth it! @Blackdawg

 

Yeah. But I would bet that they're only slightly better than stock. I could certainly be wrong. I haven't really looked into the gm option.. But I would assume theyd only be great for that higher peak output, but only slightly better with idle output.

For a "true" ho alt, you really want that idle output to be high. D.C.'s lowest alt is 180amp peak, but has 120-130 idle amps. And it does perform great. Except it's got a crappy mounting system. And apparently regulator issues. Not sure about others except Bamatoys which is supposed to have nearly 100 idle amps. As they are rewound and not just fitted with a higher rated regulator which only increases the peak output(from my understanding).

 

Most "HO" alts that are rewound stock cased ones will not change much at idle only increase at speed.

the CS144 GM alt swap is great as it puts out 100ish amps at idle vs the 20ish i think our OEM one does.

It is also the cheapest option at a whopping 135 bucks vs spending a fortune on some custom thing. You could also get a HO CS144 which would still put out 100ish amps at idle but get as high as 400amps if you wanted to pay out the ass for it.

I have a pretty detailed write up on it. But not sure if my photos are still there due to fuckin Photobucket being a dick.

Bamatoys alts are good though. I think his are based on the CS144..but idk for sure. Talked to him about it long ago when he was developing the kits.



OP. the DC engineering alts are legit..but yes, stupid expensive. Green Machine too.

 

Well dang. I knew I shoulda looked into the gm swap further. Guess I figured wrong about them gm alts then. Ha. Oh well. I had kinda forgot about it tho and already knew about bamas as I had ordered his stage 1 before. So pulled the trigger on his 250a alt.

And like I said, D.C. alts perform great, but the way they mount on the Tacoma is a problem and causes too much stress on the alts billet case, as well as the lower tensioner bracket causing them to break. I've gone through a few brackets and two cases now. And another member is having the same issues. So it's not just me. Its just not enough support for that alternator compared to the beefier cases that oem types have(and other ho alt manufacturers as well). Which is sad because I really like the dc alt. And have tried to get it to fit properly. But alas, it's still breaking shit. So I'm done. Anyone wanna buy it? Lol. Its got a new case, new regulator, and new spacers...

 

For what it is worth I just go to the local Alternator Shop and Have the OEM turned up.

Any issues it`s right down the road I like dealing face to face with my vendors if possible

Not having to worry about shipping damage or things getting lost is well worth the little extra expense .

 

F wow just going to double batteries doesn't require a new alt. Your truck doesn't have any greater demand unless you have 2 dead batteries.

 

I looked at the Green Machine website, and can't find ANY info whatsoever on what the actual output of their product is! About the only thing in regards to output is, "The Mean Green Alternator provides up to 300% more power than stock." I sure as heck am not going to buy an alternator from a company that won't even disclose the 2 most important points of an alleged HO alternator: AMP output at idle, and maximum AMP output.

 

I'll just drop this here. If you haven't discovered it yet op. Because he may have some options that might peak your interest as he offers high quality wiring kits as well to pair with the alts(any alt for that matter) and dual bats.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-electrical-system-upgrade.311091/

I'll also be doing a second battery eventually and I'll be ordering his stage 4 kit with sscs.

 

I've PM'd BamaToy1997 to see if he still offers his services/products, but haven't heard anything. I also noticed that he was apparently having some problems shipping/delivery in the past. Anyone?

 

http://www.mean-green.com/2004-95-TACOMA-34L-MG13794-T.htm

 

Yeah seems he was having some issues running his business and got a bit overwhelmed, among other issues like a software crash that ended up losing some info on orders he had at the time. Think he's all caught up now and has taken care of things(via the corresponding 2nd gen thread, found here If you wanna read up on the full details).

I'm hoping this is the case anyways and hope for the best for him, as well as my order that I recently placed. Unfortunately even if he did in fact get things all sorted out, I feel his reputation might've taken a hefty hit and he'll be hard pressed to regain that from this community. I'm willing to give him a second chance tho and did. So we'll see. I mean, he still remains a vendor and hasn't gotten banned, so that's saying something in of itself here, ha. But i hope that things go smoother for him and us from here on out.

I would say try to reach out to him again. My guess is he is still smoothing out the rough edges and barely getting back on his feet. Or maybe he's just shying away from us a lil and not as active here as he used to be, to focus more on his main business. He does do this all on his own..

 

Won't change the output at idle though

Not true at all. That means you're hoping the 80amp stock alt can charge not 1 but 2 batteries. Haha not a good idea.

 

Harlan, your alternator is built and being shipped out either today, or Wednesday.

As for output level versus brand...

The reason there are a lot of high output alternators that put out low amperage at idle, and the rated amperage at higher RPM is because in order to save money in production, they only rewind the rotor for higher output. This results of course in low idle output. The proper way is to rewind the rotor AND the stator. This is how you get solid output at idle as well as at higher RPM. The units I provide put out typically 60% of may output at idle speeds. Idle speeds are however relative depending on if it is the 4 cyl or 6 cyl (4 cyl typically idles at 100 RPM more than the 6) as well as if it is a manual or automatic transmission. So a 200A alternator will typically be capable of 120A at idle.

 

1 alt will charge 1 battery, 2 batteries, 20 batteries... it doesn't matter. Amp draw does. If your truck draws 5 amps, it draws 5 amps no matter how many batteries it draws from. If the alt produces 80 amps it's going to produce 80 amps. It doesn't care how its spread.. An increased output isnt needed until the draw is increased. If you're close to your max output at the rpm range you spend a lot of time at,the upgrade is needed. So if you crawl a lot you need an a,t that produces at very low rpm. Of you're a highway guy low rpm production isn't as important.

A properly set up 2nd battery leaves a main battery for starting and vital to run electrical, the 2nd battery needs to be separated and running accessories, or a winch, heavy draw stereo etc. But a mass majority of winches, stereos, lights all run off 1 battery ands no one sees the necessity for a 2nd. But if you go that route you want the ability to chain the 2 together in order to self jump or bypass entirely if you kill your main.

You don't want to just chain them together and hope for the best.

 

Great alternator numbers for Droppin' the Maul"!

 

Yes...I know all of this. I have dual batteries.

But if you're at the point that your drawing so much you are thinking of a second battery. You need a bigger alt anyways. It would be like buying a winch...with no cable.

That's my point.

 

Schweet! Thx for the update m8. And the words of wisdom.
See, I knew we could count on this guy
Again hope things are going better for ya.
I'll let ya know when I'm ready for a stage 4 kit.