Alternator Question

Hey y'all. My alternator recently died on me and I've been searching around for a replacement. I've seen a few come up that are for the towing package. My taco didn't come with the towing package. Does anyone know if I can replace my standard alternator with the upgraded one without having to replace any wiring? The reason I'd like the upgraded one is because I'm running two car audio amps and I figure the extra juice wouldn't hurt.

 

I’m pretty sure you can put in the 130 amp with no problem but definitely do some research as I’m not 100%

 

Thanks. I just found a thread where someone says it can be put in with no wiring upgrade necessary just swapping out the 120 fuse for a 140. I think I'll give this a go.

 

The fuse is bolted in. The fuse box needs to be disassembled to access the bolts.

 

Here's the instructions for disassembling the fusebox.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-box-battery-wire-replacement-upgrade.420450/

 

Thanks appreciate it.

Could I run it with the 120A until I can get the 140A fuse?

 

And realistically you don't even need to replace the fuse. The alternator isn't going to output more current than the truck is currently drawing. Load determines the draw.

 

Yes. see my post above.

 

Okay sweet. Thanks. I thought I was going to have to wait until I got the fuse to use the truck. Lol.

 

You guys wouldn't happen to know the torque specs for the two bolts that hold the alternator in place?

 

If you are talking about the 4.0 engine?
It looks to be 32 ft/lb according to the link below
You can double check though.
Good luck with the install

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-torque-spec-guide.318116/

 

Thanks man. I forgot we had this here I'm going to bookmark it on my phone for future reference.

 

Hey man. I was wondering if you'd happen to know. If later on down the road I upgraded to a higher output alternator like 200 Amps or so, would I also need to upgrade the fuse to a higher amperage rating or would leaving the 140 amp fuse be fine?

 

I think you answered your own question . . .

 

If you read Jimmy’s post. He says, You would not need to replace the fuse unless you are DRAWING close to or more than load than the fuse is rated. The alternator supplies load based off the current draw of truck.

Basically, It is not alternator dependent as to the fuse rating.
It’s load draw, are you going to be drawing substantially MORE amperage than you did with the OEM fuse rating? Things such as, Audio Amplifiers, External Lighting, Winches, etc. can cause MORE amperage draw.

If you want to get real technical (above my knowledge) you also need to have the correct wiring size(s) for different loads.

My question for @Jimmyh is, what amperage would the alternator charge at if the battery is completely dead and you were to jump start the truck?
At what rate does the alternator charge then?

Pretty much. As Jimmy’s answer won’t change much.
He/we don’t know the enough to change the answer.

 

Bingo. If you look at the schematic, you see that only about 1/2 of the vehicle circuits get fed from the alternator through the 120A/140 alt fuse. So, you will likely never max out the fuse rating with factory vehicle electrical load. Where you will max out the fuse is if the battery is at all low, and you raise the RPMs. Then the alternator will sense a low battery and charge maximum amperage when revved up. Personally, I would never run a vehicle with an ALT fuse with a lower amp rating than the alternator rating. That's just asking to get stranded at the worst possible time.

 

Thanks for answering my question.
I had an idea this may be a problem, but I honestly didn’t know for sure.
Like I’ve said before, I’ve pretty much learned all I know about Automotive Electrical System from this forum. And the majority of it has been from you and Jimmy. Thanks guys.

 

Lol I guess so.

That explains it well thanks.

This clears things up thanks man.

 

Sup gents finally got around to replacing the fuse and noticed I'm missing the AC SKT fuse or is it only dependent on trim?

Pic for reference taken prior to replacing fuse.

 

100 A/C SKT is for the power outlet in the bed of the truck.