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Thread: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

  1. #1
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    OK, FINALLY found a 160a Durango alternator. Looks like it will be a real simple install. Just want to make sure I have it right.



    The large stud is, of course, the positive to the battery. The small plug is the field, right? Field polarity, AFAIK, does not matter, correct?

    And thats it.

    Now I just have to come up with some type of connector for the field wiring plug.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Go back with a pair of clippers and get the plug.

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    Rhymes with tortoise. Turbo Mopar Staff cordes's Avatar
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    You are correct in that you can hook up our field terminals either way.

  4. #4
    boostaholic
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Wow. Why do you need such a big alternator? Big stereo system?

    That's got to draw quite a bit of power off the crank.
    Pete Faggella 03 PT Cruiser, 2.4L N/A 5 speed. Daily driver. All stock with baby moon wheels. 85 LeBaron 2.2TBI auto. Hoped I'd see a difference with bumped compression, but I didn't. Still slow. "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!'"

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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by 135sohc View Post
    Go back with a pair of clippers and get the plug.
    No can do. Had to order this one. Looked in EVERY yard within 45 minutes of home. The ONE I found, I wasn't about to pay $125 for USED!!

    Quote Originally Posted by cordes View Post
    You are correct in that you can hook up our field terminals either way.
    Thank you sir!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Big_P View Post
    Wow. Why do you need such a big alternator? Big stereo system?

    That's got to draw quite a bit of power off the crank.
    Yes, see my other thread re: HO Alternator for details. I currently cannot run headlights, AC, and stereo without dropping below 13 volts.


    NEW question: Can anyone confirm that this alt is EXTERNALLY REGULATED?

  6. #6
    Rhymes with tortoise. Turbo Mopar Staff cordes's Avatar
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by prepared View Post
    No can do. Had to order this one. Looked in EVERY yard within 45 minutes of home. The ONE I found, I wasn't about to pay $125 for USED!!



    Thank you sir!!



    Yes, see my other thread re: HO Alternator for details. I currently cannot run headlights, AC, and stereo without dropping below 13 volts.


    NEW question: Can anyone confirm that this alt is EXTERNALLY REGULATED?
    If you don't know if that thing is externally regulated don't install it yet. I'm sure you know that though.

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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by cordes View Post
    If you don't know if that thing is externally regulated don't install it yet. I'm sure you know that though.
    Yes, I know that the wiring will depend on if it is internal or external. I'm diggin through my links now trying to find where I decided this was going to work. LOL.

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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Frick. Not having any luck. I find these installed on several Jeeps (on Jeep forums) but I don't find any mention of internal or externallly regulated. Hmmm...

    If it's external, I use my current field wires from the SBEC.

    If it's internal, it just needs a switched voltage sense wire.

    Still searching......

  9. #9
    TurboII
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)


  10. #10
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by TurboII View Post
    Although your link bounces me to the NAPA home page and asks me to select my nearest store, I'll take your word for it!! Thank you.

  11. #11
    turbo addict
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Dakotas/Durangos charging system is regulated by the PCM.

  12. #12
    boostaholic
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Shucks, I want one of those for my Dakota.

  13. #13
    TurboII
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by prepared View Post
    Although your link bounces me to the NAPA home page and asks me to select my nearest store, I'll take your word for it!! Thank you.
    just in case you wanted to see it fr your self. just look up the alternator (2004 durango?) look for the 160 and it'll show a description about the alternator.

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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    OK, installed and working GREAT!! Absolutely night and day difference when pulling down the electrical system - headlights, heater, stereo. Factory volt gauge barely fluctuates now, where it used to drop to nearly battery voltage.

    Top is the 160 Durango alt. Bottom is the stock alt.



    The field wiring is simple. Couple of crimp connectors fit right in.



    I was going to change the pulleys, but the Durango pulley is a smaller diameter. That means faster alt RPMs which should give better idle output.

    It may not look it here, but the difference in diameter is substantial!



    The Durango pulley is much wider - I think it has two extra ribs. The stock belt fits just fine, just don't use the outer two ribs on the pulley.

    Here you can see the width difference. Only problem this causes is the AC belt, when fully tensioned, interferes. I'm going to try a shorter AC belt to see if I can tension it up.



    The smaller pulley also made it impossible to tension the alt belt with the stock mount. I simple extended the "dogbone" piece about an inch.



    You get the idea there, although thats not the final piece.

    For the wiring, I simply cut off the plastic piece with all the wires in it at the factory alt. The two small wires (field wires) went in to the aforementioned crimps connectors. The factory hot wire was retained using a crimp to fit the 8mm stud on the new alt. The factory ground wire I put a ring crimp on and attached to the lower alt mount on the alt side.

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    Basic Vendor (MSD, Hawk, etc) Turbo Mopar Contributor rbryant's Avatar
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Looks good.

    A shorter belt would have also fixed the problem with the tensioner.

    It looks like it might also be possible to use that alternator as an upgrade to the 2.4l stratus unit.

    The 160amp unit seems like a bit of overkill but if it makes you happy then go for it.

    -Rich

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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by rbryant View Post
    Looks good.

    A shorter belt would have also fixed the problem with the tensioner.

    It looks like it might also be possible to use that alternator as an upgrade to the 2.4l stratus unit.

    The 160amp unit seems like a bit of overkill but if it makes you happy then go for it.

    -Rich
    Parts store moron was no help in locating a shorter alt belt.

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    turbo addict JDAWG's Avatar
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    I thought of this a few years ago, unfortunately never got a chance to try it on my daytona, you are correct, it is externally regulated, mad props to getting it working on the older cars, I was gonna swap pulleys. Got mine from www.car-part.com for $50 shipped! The plug pn is 5019925AA but like $40 list, you can also cut one off about any ram/dakota at the jy, the rams also came with a 136a nippo case for anyone who doesnt need 160a but want an alt bigger than 90a. It has been working great on my 96 intrepid for about 6 mths now.



    here is the pn for anyone who wants to try to scavenge one


    Sorry for phone pics, they came on about 01 Durangos with the firetruck package, 5.9 engine ONLY

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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by JDAWG View Post
    I thought of this a few years ago, unfortunately never got a chance to try it on my daytona, you are correct, it is externally regulated, mad props to getting it working on the older cars, I was gonna swap pulleys. Got mine from www.car-part.com for $50 shipped! The plug pn is 5019925AA but like $40 list, you can also cut one off about any ram/dakota at the jy, the rams also came with a 136a nippo case for anyone who doesnt need 160a but want an alt bigger than 90a. It has been working great on my 96 intrepid for about 6 mths now.



    here is the pn for anyone who wants to try to scavenge one


    Sorry for phone pics, they came on about 01 Durangos with the firetruck package, 5.9 engine ONLY
    Yep. Got mine from car-part for $45 shipped to my door. No wire tail, though. I was also planning on swapping pulleys until I saw the small diameter that it came with!

  19. #19

    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    If it was internally regulated, wouldn't it be a 1 wire only alternator? No sense in having field wires if its controlled internally.

  20. #20
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    Re: 160a Alternator install (Durango -> Sundance)

    Quote Originally Posted by impuresoul2k3 View Post
    If it was internally regulated, wouldn't it be a 1 wire only alternator? No sense in having field wires if its controlled internally.
    IF it were internal, I think you would need the charge wire and the sense wire. Plus a ground, of course, since the brainy injunears mounted our alts in rubber bushings.

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