polargeek

Ok folks I'm a little confused.
I got a 1996 F-150 with a 5.0 with a toasted 95A alternator.
I believe from reading that I already have a G3 system but I'm not confident of that fact.

If I understand everything I am reading then the 130A unit out of a 1996 E150 should bolt right up. I just need to upgrade the charge cable to a 2 gauge or larger cable with a 150A-175A inline fuse or circuit. Is that correct or do I need a different alternator?


Thanks in advance

unit505

You can purchase a 130a 3g alternator from any auto parts store for a '96 E series with the 5.0 or 5.8. It was a factory option. No upgrades necessary on your end. The wiring is the same. You can upgrade the wiring if you like. Never a bad thing to get shorter runs of wires and heavier gauge. You can also search local salvage yards for your alternator. I bought mine for $12 off of a mid 90's town car I believe. For the cost of a used alternator, if it works, great. If not, the cost of an alternator rebuild is still cheaper than the cost of a new. I can also have the 3g 130a upgraded to 160a for a few bucks more. Just go to oriellyauto.com or autozone.com and search for the 130a option on the '96 E3250 with 5.8L. Make your choice, new or used. Identify your mounting brackets on the 130a option and check your local salvage yards for the same style alternator. As I had someone point out to me recently, the 95 and 130 amp alternator has a "Y" pattern on the front of the case. The 130a has 2 holes machined into each leg of the "Y", the 95a has 4 holes machined into each leg of the "Y". Very easy to identify.



Not sure why the '96 F Series with the V8's did not have the 130amp option. It was an option for the 4.9. You need to measure your factory mounting pattern, run to the parts store and compare to the new 130a. Hope this helps in your search.
Below is the 130a. You can see the 2 holes in each of the "Y" casing pattern. This is the '96 E250 with 5.8 alternator.

Below is the 95a with 4 holes in each of the "Y" pattern

polargeek

thanks for that

4wheeldevil

are the pulleys the same diameter or do you need to swap them or get a new belt?

unit505

You'll need to verify, but all of the ones I've looked at were the same pulley and no belt change needed. Good time for a belt inspection though.

4wheeldevil

i am bringing this thread back to the top because my alt just started doing the bad voltage thing and i need to know if this info holds true for other years as well. mine is a 94 f150 302 v8. i put a remand unit in it little over a year ago. and now its going bad again so i want to put something stronger in there.