4Runner alternator upgrade (gen 5)
- Thread starter rigtec
- Start date
rigtec
New member
Hi Gus,
Getting over the fear of working with electrical systems was the greatest fear that I ever overcame... except for the fear of heights... and asking girls out on a date 'back in the 8th grade'... and public speaking...etc lol!
Cheers!
HerT4R
New member
Did nations starter and alternator supply the cable upgrade option? or did you get that somewhere else?
Engineer
New member
All I am gonna say is this mod should be called the knuckle buster. It was a bear to install, didn't take that long, didn't even require all that much effort but the poor working environment made getting to the bolts and harness clips a real challenge. The rear stud terminal on mine was larger then OEM so I had to drill the OEM connector out a couple sizes to get it to fit other then that seems to work well.
smkymntn
New member
HerT4R
New member
I just bought the 270XP today, should get here friday. I have some 4AWG cables already though so i dont want to buy if i can use what i have. They are definitely a great crew and people to buy from if i decide i want to go the lazy route lol.
Did anyone here replace teh pulley and the belt at the same time? The FJ guys swear by the sealed gates brand pulleys which apparently hold up better than the stock OEM ones. Anyone here feel the same or is it really not necessary to replace these? Just figured since i would be in there and all........ :hippie:
bimrunner
New member
I still am stock on pulleys and belts but might swap them to the sealed gates brand when I get to that point.
midnite4runner
New member
Anybody else get alot of belt noise at startup after putting in the 270XP on a 5th gen? The tensioner is automatic isn't it? Am I missing something?
carlos.elmotor
New member
FWIW, no change in belt noise from stock on my rig after install.
Photoventurer
New member
[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION]: Great write up and thread! Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
Crocket
Member
re: Alternator Upgrade
A question for all the alternator upgrade and electrical experts here. In the event this 270XP option is a little overkill for someone looking for a mild to mid boost in electrical power, are there any other fairly easy plug and play options out there? Say something like a 50amp boost instead of the 140 or so amp boost the 270XP offers? Thanks.
P.S. I did search, but most alt upgrade threads are from the 3rd or 4th gen 4Runner sections. All 5th gen upgrades end up discussing this 270XP.
A question for all the alternator upgrade and electrical experts here. In the event this 270XP option is a little overkill for someone looking for a mild to mid boost in electrical power, are there any other fairly easy plug and play options out there? Say something like a 50amp boost instead of the 140 or so amp boost the 270XP offers? Thanks.
P.S. I did search, but most alt upgrade threads are from the 3rd or 4th gen 4Runner sections. All 5th gen upgrades end up discussing this 270XP.
rayofsi
New member
i'm interested in a mild upgrade as well.
i will probably have additional lights, but no winch. and maybe a upgraded radio/speaker/amp. Might need more juice to keep my odyssey 31m charged up
007Tacoma
New member
I am confused... Is the desire for a more mild upgrade cost driven? ...or is it a worry about engine load? ...or is it a worry about alternator size?
Why would you not want to go to 270XP? Wouldn't the extra amperage be helpful for "just-in-case" scenarios?
rigtec
New member
Hi Mr. Crocket,
You are absolutely correct! When I was looking for some HOW TO: gen-5 alternator threads a few years ago, the cup-boards were bare... which is exactly why I studied, researched, and tutorialized the subject and wrote-up an essay! I needed help but there was none; not even on you-tube! As far as wanting to add a 50A increase to your stock electrical system... that's what I call a marginal or nominal increase in electrical upgrade but (IMHO) there's no reason to go up in that small of an upgrade. Your stock alternator will be able to 'Squeeze' out the extra ponies to provide whatever it is that you're wanting to accessorize from your vehicle.
Now what you can do regarding a little extra power output is perhaps change the juice that the stock power plant is able to generate 'AT IDLE'. Here is a tutorial essay that explains how that can be achieved at no ZERO cost: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...-more-current-your-stock-alternator-idle.html Hope this helps, and 'Best to you'
rig
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Crocket
Member
Partially cost driven, but more to do with needs and wants and knowing what all the options are before jumping in.
Thanks for the link, I will check it out.
Sonny
no affiliation with this shop. i stumbled across these on youtube.
ALTERNATORS - TOYOTA - 4Runner - 4.0 - Down4Sound Shop
ALTERNATORS - TOYOTA - 4Runner - 4.0 - Down4Sound Shop
007Tacoma
New member
I am extremely curious if anyone has used one of these... I definitely want to upgrade to a 6+ phase alternator before I do my dual battery setup. $400 is a bit easier to sell to my accountant (wife) when pilfering the budget.
rayofsi
New member
2003-2009 4runner
might be the same as the 2010+?
interested to hear if anyone has a mechman alternator installed
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rigtec
New member
Hey team...
I happy to see so many team members doing a lot of their own wiring e.g., LED bars, remote starting mods, and audio amplifiers...etc. So I thought it would be quite appropriate to leave this 'wire gauge chart' here for your electrical systems working convenience:
I got this chart from ANOTHER very high quality alternator manufacturer who's customer base is 90% military grade first respondor vehicles. They're much like our DC power Engineering 270-XP but (believe it or not) just a little more expensive: No, you read that statement right, just a little MORE expensive! Check them out SBC High Output Alternators 'Best to you',
rig
I happy to see so many team members doing a lot of their own wiring e.g., LED bars, remote starting mods, and audio amplifiers...etc. So I thought it would be quite appropriate to leave this 'wire gauge chart' here for your electrical systems working convenience:
I got this chart from ANOTHER very high quality alternator manufacturer who's customer base is 90% military grade first respondor vehicles. They're much like our DC power Engineering 270-XP but (believe it or not) just a little more expensive: No, you read that statement right, just a little MORE expensive! Check them out SBC High Output Alternators 'Best to you',
rig
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Cytronus
New member
Help, can't get serpentine belt loose and alternator out
Hey guys, I'm working on taking out my alternator but I can't figure out how to get it out. I've taken the two bolts out and have unbolted the two bolts on the side that mount the wire harness but I can't figure out why the alternator won't shake loose nor why I can't loosen the serpentine belt. Any tips guys on how to loosen the belt and get the alternator out? Also can't figure out how to unplug the wire harness from the alternator without braking the black plastic connector.
Hey guys, I'm working on taking out my alternator but I can't figure out how to get it out. I've taken the two bolts out and have unbolted the two bolts on the side that mount the wire harness but I can't figure out why the alternator won't shake loose nor why I can't loosen the serpentine belt. Any tips guys on how to loosen the belt and get the alternator out? Also can't figure out how to unplug the wire harness from the alternator without braking the black plastic connector.
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