Getting a new alternator

[smokersteve]

Im getting a reman from autozone for $175 and a $35 core that I will turn in. Is this a good alternator or should I stay far far away from this one?

[jesilvas]

I use their new one with the lifetime warranty. I think I'm on my second? Maybe still first.
I think it's fine.

[Galaxie]

I get my alts from Auto Zone. Usually its just the brushes on the regulator that go (at least on the Mustang 3Gs) and they always replace them during a rebuild. I actually just got one for my 65 Galaxie there.

If mine goes, I wouldn’t hesitate getting one from there. Worse come to worse, they give a good warranty.... At least its on top and easy to get to!

[dfuzz78]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

I had to get 3 new alternators from there before one worked.

I'm waiting for it to crap out anytime now! Get a Motorcraft one instead!

[smokersteve]

Originally Posted by dfuzz78

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

I had to get 3 new alternators from there before one worked.

I'm waiting for it to crap out anytime now! Get a Motorcraft one instead!

Well hopefuly I get a good one if I get AZ.


Are there any other NEW alternators that are under $200 that are better than OEM, or at least the same?

[WarChild]

There are better ones but Im on the autozone reman w/lifetime warranty. Only takes me 10 minutes to change and my buddie.gave me another one to keep in the toolbox so if it ever goes out again I have one to turn in and one to replace.the.bad on when Im at a rest stop or something.

[Evil Eye]

Like people are saying, the Auto Zone alts and starters are hit or miss. I personally wouldn't want to take that kind of risk, but they are considerably cheaper than OEM or the aftermarket parts. I would also say that their warranty is decent, although any time you have to deal with warranty is a bad time, especially if it leaves you stranded.

[Bgoux]

Are there any other NEW alternators that are under $200 that are better than OEM, or at least the same?[/QUOTE]

to answer your question about the $200 mark, not for retail price

I am a long time reader and lurker

after reading and research and conversations with techs with assumed reliable info, the stock 110 amp alt is weak at best, not high enough in amps as it wears/ages

mine has slowly faded, and I have concluded that it takes out the ficm and batts
my new batts were only carrying a float charge of 12.4 at best

now that I have replaced the alt with a 160 amp, batts float at 12.6 to 12.7
(which is a big difference as I have been told)
and the truck runs noticably better and starts in a snap of the key

these trucks need alot of juice to run, as soon as a stock alt gets worn, say 50 k miles or so, it does not produce enough power to keep up with demand,especially if you add/mod things with any electrical load.
just pulling a trailer at night in the rain is a much bigger load on the alt

dcpower is a popular choice among forums, I found an equal quality 160amp unit from a place called quality power in Yucaipa CA $212 to my door
I am in CA as well

if you go much higher in amps, and you have the electrical load that demands it, you NEED to upgrade the charge and ground cables to handle the extra load
hope this helps

[Qholic]

I saw in another thread that if you order up the alternator for a dual alternator setup that for a little more than the single alternator you get one with 30 more amps and it fits the same.

[smokersteve]

So I can buy 1 alternator that is for the dual set up and that will fit my truck just fine?