[ThePookieBear]

Hey guys, I think my alternator is shot. I pull it out tomorrow and get it tested for sure. But in the meantime, I got some prices and questions with which would be best.
1- Bosch 90 Amp--> $154.31
2- Denso 90 Amp--> $220.01
3- Bosch 80 Amp--> $131.29
4- Denso 80 Amp--> $194.80

I am under the impression that the 90 Amp alternators can be rebuilt. I currently have the external fan 80 Amp Denso. I don't think this can be rebuilt. Am I better off going with a 90 Amp and does anyone know for sure which, if any, of the above can be rebuilt. They are all remanufactured and are for a '92 3FE. They also have free shipping with an $83 core charge. Any thoughts or experience with these or other alternators much appreciated. Also, any better prices. Thanks all.

[Lka1988]

OEM. IIRC, it's ~$310 list, but like $240 from CDan.

Don't ask how I know.

FYI... 80A and 90A 3FE alternators will NOT interchange.

[ThePookieBear]

Dang. On the places I looked they said the Denso is original, and that the 80 AND 90 amp both fit the FJ80. I'm not saying you are wrong of course, just that I read that. I bet someone else pipes in. I think I read your old thread, were you looking at replacing the brushes?

[Lka1988]

Denso is the OE manufacturer for Toyota, but for other companies as well. Different specs for different manufacturers...

80A and 90A alternators both fit their respective versions, but it depends which version you got. 90A 3FE's are pretty rare.

Best bet would be just to get one from CDan. I made the mistake of getting my alternator from the local Stealership... CDan was sounding REAL good by the time it came.

EDIT: No, I wasn't looking to replace the brushes... My alternator was dead at that point. It's not a bad idea to keep a spare set of brushes, however.

[BooKilla]

Why do you think your alternator is shot?

[gray]

OEM is built to a higher quality standard, so you won't be pulling your alternator out again in a couple of years. Just not worth it to save a few bucks up front, cause you will be paying x2 at the other end by going with anything other than OEM, IME

[ThePookieBear]

Well BooKilla I have checked everything but that with my buddy who is a mercedes tech. He said I need to remove it to have it tested fully but I have narrowed it down to that I think. This has been a 5 day long process. Also, gray I am not sure I understand this correctly. I was under the impression that Denso WAS OEM. If that is not the case, whats the OEM brand name? I doubt its toyota. : ). Also, my dad had our '91 alternator rebuilt and it lasted till we sold it 10 years later! Any chance the 80 amp is rebuildable? Opinions seem to differ.

[Lka1988]

Yes, Denso is the OE supplier, but Toyota sends them specifications, and Denso builds to those specs. Just cause Denso offers a replacement doesn't mean that it will be built to Toyota specs...

I actually had my old alternator rebuilt a few times, never lasted more than a year each time. But as always, YMMV.

Best just to go straight up OEM, from Toyota. Or better yet, CDan. Can't go wrong. Trust me, I had this exact conversation a few months ago.

EDIT: looked at my PMs, price was $237.77 w/discount. HTH.

[gray]

Originally Posted by ThePookieBear

Well BooKilla I have checked everything but that with my buddy who is a mercedes tech. He said I need to remove it to have it tested fully but I have narrowed it down to that I think. This has been a 5 day long process. Also, gray I am not sure I understand this correctly. I was under the impression that Denso WAS OEM. If that is not the case, whats the OEM brand name? I doubt its toyota. : ). Also, my dad had our '91 alternator rebuilt and it lasted till we sold it 10 years later! Any chance the 80 amp is rebuildable? Opinions seem to differ.

That's great that you had a rebuilt alternator last 10 years; really.
I only would get ~1 year/30K miles out of them. I recall that my alt gauge indicated a slightly lower output after the rebuild.

Maybe, your rebuilder for the 91 just replaced the brushes, which would mean you essentially still had the OEM unit. And/or, maybe he did use OEM parts and is one of the rare small shop rebuilders who really do know what they are doing, and care about the results.
If that guy is still in business; ask him how he rebuilds his units
and go with him.

Anything you buy off the net is made in a facility where quantity, not quality, is more the norm, IMO.

I do not recall the details, but I looked into this a long time ago; as lKA1988 said, the Toyota standard and specs for LC's is very high, which includes all the internal electrical parts also; most rebuilders use much cheaper components made in ?Taiwan, China, etc. There are a few rebuilders/resellers that sell on Fleabay,
they even state often that their units are "new", but if you ask them
(I did), they will tell you new rebuilt, and not in the US or Japan.

So the case may say Denso, but all the little bits and pieces including electrical components may not be Denso, and, may not be to Toyota OEM specs, for a LC. IMO/IME.

It could be a good deal if you can get it rebuilt locally by someone
you know and trust(like the guy who did the 91), the cost would be significantly less most likely.

Good luck.

[ThePookieBear]

Yeah, I'm really beginning to wonder what was up with our '91. I think it was magical. I mean, I know they last forever in general, but ours was insane. We hardly ever had to do anything. Just change oil and lube and thermostat every few years. That was almost it other than the alternator. I still am amazed. Mine is great, but that was amazing.

[rhyary]

Is there a life expectancy for alternator? or you just drive them till they die.

[Lka1988]

For aftermarket, expect a year, at most.

For OEM, expect 10-15 years, at least.

[gray]

X2 what lka1988 says; my FJ62 had 165K on it before the brushes wore out; my mistake was not just replacing those, as I had it "completely" rebuilt, but they ended up tossing the (probably) good Toyota parts and replacing them with cheap Taiwan-made parts; it only lasted one year; about 25K.

Had it rebuilt again locally; ditto; one year/25K miles. It was then that I saw the light and put in a Toyota alternator; about $280; 10 years later (but only 60K miles), it is still working fine.

Lesson learned.

[jonheld]

FWIW, I have never seen a 3FE with a 90 Amp alt. AFAIK Tojo stepped up to 90 amps with the 1FZFE motor.

[Lka1988]

Originally Posted by gray

X2 what Lka1988 says;

fixed.

[Lka1988]

Originally Posted by jonheld

FWIW, I have never seen a 3FE with a 90 Amp alt. AFAIK Tojo stepped up to 90 amps with the 1FZFE motor.

I've seen one. They are pretty rare. I think it was one of those cold weather options that no one knew about.

[ThePookieBear]

That would have been nice. I got my old one off today. Some after market junk deal. It had an ND on the cover. It was replaced less than 20,000 miles ago after the the orginal was rebuilt at 142,000 or so.

[Lka1988]

Nice. When I replaced mine a few months ago, it was some Bosch knock-off deal. I'm never getting anything from Bosch again...

[jonheld]

Originally Posted by lka1988

I've seen one. They are pretty rare. I think it was one of those cold weather options that no one knew about.

Do you know offhand if the 2 units are interchangeable? Or better yet a Toyo part number for next time around?

Must have been a non-US item.

Oh, and as far as a replacement goes, stick with OEM or you'll be replacing it soon. They are well worth the admission price.

[Lka1988]

Originally Posted by jonheld

Do you know offhand if the 2 units are interchangeable?

Asked CDan himself, he said they are not interchangeable.

Must have been a non-US item.

No, I've seen one before...

Oh, and as far as a replacement goes, stick with OEM or you'll be replacing it soon. They are well worth the admission price.

X - 2,000,000^6