Jeep XJ Alternator Upgrade - Bracket Mod How To

[@zombiedrummer1]

Thanks for the video, we need that stalling jeep vid soon 😅

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On! 🙌 Yes I should put that video together as there many things that can cause the stalling!

[@blownaway4371]

Good video. You need to watch the tension of the belt. The Jeep water pumps aren't known to be that robust, or the 4.0for running cool. I like to get them just a few rotations over the "squeel" of slipping. And the engine seems to like that.

[@ffffffff-vv7yp]

Any further advice on belt tension? I don't have the separate tensioner but the other type where the power steering pump acts as tensioner. It's a 4.0. I have read the advice how you should not be able to twist the belt over 90 degrees, but that's always relative and kinda seems so anyway. I mean if someone is strong enough and they mean business they could in theory turn the belt several twists and snap it.

[@lol123321123321]

Jeep 4.0s tend to run a tighter belt than any other make or model vehicle I have ever worked on. I've experienced quite the opposite. If you think the belt tension is tight enough, go a little more.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice job Jon, almost like color by the numbers just stay within the lines.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Thanks Randy! 🙌 Yeah I was running the old etch a sketch on the Bridgeport. I could have bolted the aluminum bracket on its side for a cleaner cut instead of the vise for a clean cut with the side of the endmill.

[@mikeinpenna]

If you swap out the old alternator pulley which should be 5 rib like the belt is, the alternator will spin slightly faster.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On! 🙌 I think these were close in size but it’s been a while. That’s a good tip!

[@hotroddinwillie2364]

My Jeep is no exception. The alternator is on the bottom and gets a lot of splash from the road. All those XJ's when new had a splash shield to keep water spray away from the engine and underhood components.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Ah see it’s interesting to hear that. Mine could definitely use a splash shield! Maybe that’s an upcoming project.

[@hotroddinwillie2364]

@@RightOnJonCrane it was some kind of neoprene sheet held in place along the front frame rails by plastic push pins.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

@@hotroddinwillie2364 Okay that makes sense! I will look under the Jeep!

[@golf-n-guns]

Fed Ex dropped off my new 260 Amp from Tucson while I was this video!

[@tomdale1313]

good skill(s) application, how's the Kat?

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Tom! 🙌 Thanks! Mama cat is doing great. She has been enjoying lots of turkey dinners lately. 🦃🍁 Happy Thanksgiving

[@ScoutCrafter]

Great Job Jon- Does that company make a alternator for your truck that fits without bracket modifications? 😃👍

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Thanks John! Yes, if I had gotten the stock replacement alternator that is 117 amp it would be a direct swap but I went with the upgrade to 170 amps. They also offer a 240 amp alternator for the Jeep. I think if you’re running a wench or a snowplow that might be good and go with duel batteries.

[@SWXJs]

Thanks for the vid. Did you upgrade your cables or just put the stock ones back on? My 99 has 2 connections to the alternator, the plug with the two smaller wires and the larger gauge charging wire (I believe that has a fuse built into it). Was the larger charge wire the only thing you upgraded? Their instructions are not very clear in my opinion.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

I did upgrade the wire to the battery! I did not put a fuse in at the suggestion from Tucson Alternator. But I think I might put one in. It can’t hurt. At about 12:00 into the video I show the new wire. It’s a 4 awg. I also show a chart for wire size. Right On! 🙌

[@JoshSmith-wo7zw]

I would definitely do a wafer style 200 to 250 amp fuse within 12 inches of the battery. If the battery develops a shorted cell it could fry the diodes in your alternator same thing with charge cable somehow finding a ground over time thus creating a short. Fuses are cheap insurance. Beats paying 209 plus dollars on a new alternator again.

[@danieljohnson8437]

Excellent

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On! 🙌Thanks!

[@OneTonTahoe]

I would just get the jeep cables battery upgrade big 7 kit. It comes with a fuse for those.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

That’s probably the way to go. I would have gotten that if I hadn’t already bought heavy duty cables. No harm to put a fuse in! Thanks for watching! Hope are able to subscribe if you like my content. Lots of fun projects from my shop.

[@rawbacon]

Last time I bought an alternator I think it was about 30 Bucks, I'm guessing they cost a little more than that today.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

$30 bucks! For that old Nash Rambler? This one ran me $300 and I paid $179 at the auto parts store for the rebuilt one that was junk. They also give you $40 back for the old one.

[@ffffffff-vv7yp]

That's a nice upgrade. Did you have a specific reason to go for that exact amperage, how much accessory power demand? I just repaired mine with a remanufactured "90A" unit and it works. The original 90A "Nippon Denso Tennessee" unit lasted for only slightly more than 30 years and it seems it may have ingested some grass. I don't expect the replacement to last that long but perhaps another 20 years just like the vehicle itself.

[@FatalError261]

my junk 90amp alternator lasted 25 years ......hmmmm

[@RightOnJonCrane]

The original Jeep alternator lasted 23 years. The one in this video from the auto parts store lasted less than 4 months! Then I bought the one from Tucson alternator.