Big 3

[01thunder]

Regarding this upgrade, I've read that #4 cable should be used. What size is the factory stuff? Anyone buy the cables ready made, or do you make them?

 

[ralatkins]

I bought a kit from Marion Bumper2bumper. Haven't installed it yet, but it looks very well made and the price is pretty good

 

[UnderFire]

Making them is very easy compared to trying to use pre-made cables that don't fit perfect, or is overly expensive. Factory is 8 GA on the charge wire and engine / frame ground and 10 GA on the body ground I think.

 

[01thunder]

Making them is very easy compared to trying to use pre-made cables that don't fit perfect, or is overly expensive. Factory is 8 GA on the charge wire and engine / frame ground and 10 GA on the body ground I think.

so #4 on all cables for upgrade; grounds, starter, etc? i found someone that makes them to order, any length, gauge, terminals, etc. for the ones that have made them themselves, how much was spent on supplies and from where?

 

[Kanoe]

I do a fair bit with such wires and I find the best price (and best wire) comes from a marine shop. Get a nice flexible marine cable with tinned conductors.

Others use welding cable but I find it is just as expensive and is not tinned and tends to corrode green over time.

And for what it's worth the stock negative cable on my 3RZ was 4 gauge, with about a 10 or 12 gauge to the fender. I replaced it with a nice new 4 gauge and a 6 gauge to the fender.

 

[UnderFire]

so #4 on all cables for upgrade; grounds, starter, etc? i found someone that makes them to order, any length, gauge, terminals, etc. for the ones that have made them themselves, how much was spent on supplies and from where?

No need to replace the sstarter cable unless yours is corroded, the main goal is to help the alternator charge effectively and strengthen the grounds in the system.

 

[calimobber]

4 is nice but main thing is just to get solid grounding. I think I used 00.

My big 3. I grounded Battery to frame/ alternator to frame and engine to frame. My second batt was grounded to frame also. i see 15v on a cold day and 14.4 when its warmed up.


I have the cs144 alternator installed.

 

[01thunder]

No need to replace the sstarter cable unless yours is corroded, the main goal is to help the alternator charge effectively and strengthen the grounds in the system.

ok. so it's just the positive and negative battery cables and ground? that's it? is the ground on the block separate from the battery ground or are they crimped together in the harness?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Did you by chance see the DIY write up thread?

It is in the tutorials and docs sub-sticky.

I followed that and had no issues. My own pictures are in there as well.