Alternator Upgrade Question

[UNCCHcane]

Hey guys, long-time lurker, first-time poster. I have a '95 Discovery that I've had for eight years. Five years or so ago, I had an A-frame bar put on the front with two Hella 1000s, and then a factory roof rack with four Hella 500s. I didn't upgrade the alternator.

Understandably so, the alternator lasted about a year after I installed the lights before the tachometer started to spaz out, which lead to the alternator's replacement. I didn't upgrade it then either, and it's been good for the last three years or so.

Well, the alternator finally died again today. I searched this forum for information on upgrading the alternator to 120 amps, but mostly saw upgrades to Range Rover Classics and '96 and above Discoveries.

My question is, with my '95 being a 3.9 liter V8, what can I upgrade to, alternator-wise, where can I get the alternator, are there any modifications that need to be made to the mounts, etc.

I know the alternator questions get old on here (because I saw about 50 threads wondering the same thing about what's causing the tach to go nuts), but I'm hoping somebody out there can point me in the right direction. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[sean]

http://www.premierpowerwelder.com/specs/ppwspecs.html

 

[UNCCHcane]

sean, thanks for the quick response. I looked at the Web site you linked, and saw the custom 185 amp alternator for Land Rovers. I'm guessing that's the one you're suggesting. $1110 is just a wee bit out of my price range, but I'll take it under consideration.

Are there any other options out there in the $200-$300 range? I know the 120 amp alternator for the '96 Discovery I saw was somewhere in that range.

I also read in another thread about the "Mean Green" alternators, but the only option I saw on their Web site was for '96 and above. I realize that there's very little difference between the '95 3.9 liter and the '96 and on 4.0 liter, but I don't want to go and purchase something that may not fit. Does anyone know if the alternator options for the 4.0 liter will fit the 3.9 liter?

Again, thanks sean for the quick inital response.

 

[marc olivares]

with those light's you should be fine w/ a stock alternator.
but to answer your question, no there aren't any high output alternators available in the 200-300 range. and stay away from the mean green stuff. it's poor quality.
IMO you would be better off w/ a new stock alternator. not reman but new.

i power an engle, cb, ipod, (3) 100wt hella 4000's, and (6) 55wt hella undercarrage lights on a stock alternator w/ ZERO issues.

 

[UNCCHcane]

Marc, thanks for the answer. Do you know if AutoZone sells new alternators? The last one I purchased from them was remanufactured. Having priced just about every part on this vehicle at the dealership, I know I'm better off getting the part from an alternate supplier (price-wise, that is).

Your description of the ancillary components you have on your Disco leads me to ask if perhaps anyone thinks there may be another issue affecting the pull on the alternator/battery? About two years ago, the battery charge light began to come on intermittently. I've never had any issues with the charging system since the light began coming on until this week.

I'm going to check and see if there's any extra drain on the battery/alternator tomorrow, but has anyone else experienced the battery charge light illuminating randomly like I describe above, and if so, was the alternator the culprit?

 

[marc olivares]

more often than not, reman alternators will give you fits than they save you on cash.

try Roverconnection for the best prices on new alternators

it's possible that you have a drain somewhere, but i'm gonna say not likely.
i'm putting my money on that reman alt of yours. get a new one and dollars to doughnuts your issues will go away.

 

[garrett]

you can always go with a 200 amp Mean Green alternator. made in PA and run about $370. they come with a 2 year unconditional warranty.

 

[ptschram]

Jim Pendleton of Pendy Imports has perfected the replacement of the Magnetti Marelli with an upgraded GM alternator.

PM me for his contact info.

PT

 

[garrett]

are you talking about the standard Delco/Remy P-30 chassis unit PT? i have considered that for my RRC.

 

[ptschram]

are you talking about the standard Delco/Remy P-30 chassis unit PT? i have considered that for my RRC.

No. I am sworn to secrecy concerning specifics, but Pendy can set you up with everything needed to make it work.

I put one together to prove it would work, but there were some changes necessary that did not make it attractive for my soccer-mom clients-Pendy's setup avoids these mods for the most part.

 

[Nomar]

Might want to try Will.Tillery also...

 

[UNCCHcane]

Thanks for all your help and suggestions guys. I just decided to go with a new 100 amp alternator. If I get another three years out of it, I figure that will probably coincide with the time that I'm looking to get something new anyway, so the extra money on a high-output alternator probably isn't worth it. That, and with law school bills looming, I need all the extra cash I can get.

Thanks again guys.

 

[marc olivares]

good choice.

 

[JohnC]

Thanks for all your help and suggestions guys. I just decided to go with a new 100 amp alternator. If I get another three years out of it, I figure that will probably coincide with the time that I'm looking to get something new anyway, so the extra money on a high-output alternator probably isn't worth it. That, and with law school bills looming, I need all the extra cash I can get.

Thanks again guys.

Good luck. I purchased a new replacement alt for my 96 DI and it died 6 months later. I am on my second brand new alt and it's starting to fail again.

I got the MG 200 amp for my 95 DI from Garrett over a year ago and haven't had problems since. BTW, my 96 DI does not go offroad like my 95 does.

 

[garrett]

as luck would have it the alt on my blue DI is dying or close to dead. there is a guy down the road that rebuilds them, so i might go that route. the alt in there is made by World Class. a reman unit from Car Quest. was in there when i bought it. truck has 104K on it. i have too many vehicle costs right now to go with the MG.

 

[RoverRideAlong]

This is a little old but am just wondering. My 95 Disco. will die when i go wheelin occasionally. Is this caused by the alternator? Right now I am only running 3 Hella 4000s, and a cb. I am looking into purchasing a new headunit, subs, winch, and adding my ipod to my rover. Then in the future maybe adding more 4000s to a rack hopefully. Running these items, am I going to need to upgrade my alternator? or adding an optima and keeping the stock alternator work?

 

[flyfisher11]

This is a little old but am just wondering. My 95 Disco. will die when i go wheelin occasionally. Is this caused by the alternator? Right now I am only running 3 Hella 4000s, and a cb. I am looking into purchasing a new headunit, subs, winch, and adding my ipod to my rover. Then in the future maybe adding more 4000s to a rack hopefully. Running these items, am I going to need to upgrade my alternator? or adding an optima and keeping the stock alternator work?

I am running a stock alternator but just ditched my optima for one of these:

http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=ODY-PC2150-S

 

[rtiqulatendisco]

So far so good with my mean green

 

[fishEH]

No. I am sworn to secrecy concerning specifics, but Pendy can set you up with everything needed to make it work.

I put one together to prove it would work, but there were some changes necessary that did not make it attractive for my soccer-mom clients-Pendy's setup avoids these mods for the most part.

7+ years later, you think you can let the cat out of the bag????

 

[ERover82]

Yes pt, cats rarely survive 7 years in a bag anyways.