62 alternator - best source / deal

[Rollin'in'Zona]

Howdy all,

It's tax time (read $$ outlay), I'm moving (read $$$ outlay) and my 1989 FJ62's friggin alternator died again. I replaced it 4 1/2 years ago w/ an expensive reman from Specter or TPI, maybe MAF...

Anyway, I just can not spend $380 on an alternator right now - have about $600 left in credit to my name! Any suggestions on the best source for an alternator? Nappa can get me a Bosch unit for $225. I've alwayws used OEM parts, but hell, the last one survived only 4 1/2 years!

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Thanks,
Richard

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I know this sounds bad but try Autozone, the duralast alternators are not that bad and they should have a FJ62 one for less than $150 I think. If not, find it somewhere (even if its a total POS) and quote the price to them and they'll match it. Lifetime warantee. I run an autozone 140 amp for a caprice in my cruiser and it is awesome and no problems at all... And if I ever did, quick swap and trip to autozone

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

After some fenagling, I got mine from Car Quest for $120. Not Toyota though.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Here you go, if you can get the "Gold" model.. Kurt Williams (I am spilling the beans here!) worked for Autozone for a couple years in his, hehem, younger days, and said they very rarely came back and I believe they are made by a decent company for them. Same with their batteries, same manuifacturer as the original Die Hard that got sears it's good battery name..

DURALAST-IMPORT
80 AMP 14836 LLT $55.00 $141.99

DURALAST-GOLD-IMPORT
80 AMP DLG14836 LLT $20.00 $168.14

First price is core charge. Most cannot tell difference or do not care so any core flaotig around might work....

 

[Ming89FJ62]

I've gone the Mean Green route for the extra amps to overcome the 15 year old electrical connections. In the past I've tried both local remanufactured and Toyota rebuilt stock alternators and hav better luck w/ the Toyota units. The MG alternator is a direct replacment and is rated at 125 amps IIFC. Most of the low volt issues that I had w/ the stock units are gone - like idling w/ the head lights, heater and rear window defog all running.

Just my $.02

Harry

 

[Rollin'in'Zona]

I've gone the Mean Green route for the extra amps to overcome the 15 year old electrical connections. In the past I've tried both local remanufactured and Toyota rebuilt stock alternators and hav better luck w/ the Toyota units. The MG alternator is a direct replacment and is rated at 125 amps IIFC. Most of the low volt issues that I had w/ the stock units are gone - like idling w/ the head lights, heater and rear window defog all running.

Just my $.02

Harry

Thanks Harry.

After installing the last OEM unit, I wished I'd gone w/ a high output. I'd love to go that route, but I need to go as inexpensive as possible - don't really have the choice right now.

 

[Rollin'in'Zona]

I know this sounds bad but try Autozone, the duralast alternators are not that bad and they should have a FJ62 one for less than $150 I think. If not, find it somewhere (even if its a total POS) and quote the price to them and they'll match it. Lifetime warantee. I run an autozone 140 amp for a caprice in my cruiser and it is awesome and no problems at all... And if I ever did, quick swap and trip to autozone

Very interesting! 140 amps, eh? What year is your cruzer? Is it a 60 or 62? There's a big difference in their alternators.

Assuming you have a 62, what would I ask AutoZone for - a Caprice alternator? What year? Did it just bolt up, pullys and all?

Thanks for your help!
R

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Sorry this is my FJ55 which uses Chevy/AC Delco components factory. You can swap a different alternator but I am not sure how easy it is, probably some fabrication required. 80 amps is pretty good though, 140 amps is enough to power all the gizmos on a police car and then some. Even with dual batteries and some winching 80 amps is pretty good...

 

[WHITCHCOCK]

Pasco

Our local battery/starter/alternator guy (Pasco, I do not believe they are a chain) just sold me a Silver Edition, not OEM for shame I know, for all of $200, but it comes with lifetime warrenty.

I've bought a couple of work truck altenators over the years with this guy with the same warranty and he has always just gave us another if they croak.

Our work trucks and my rig never go more than 60 miles (avg. 25 miles from home) so its no big deal if one dies on us.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[WHITCHCOCK]

Oh mine is a FJ62 and the work trucks are various F150 and F250s.

 

[Rollin'in'Zona]

Specter OEM rebuilt - $200

Looks like I can get a Specter OEM rebuilt for $200 ($300 - $100 core). Depending on shipping, I'll either go this route or the AoutoZone Gold.

Thanks all!

 

[lovetoski]

My local NAPA has remans for ~$100 w/lifetime warrenty. I'm not sure that their stuff is as good as OEM, but I've never been burned.

I have a reman alt from a local Shucks (didn't know better at the time) and it's a POS. Only cost $65, but I've replaced it three times. Lifetime warrenty, but in hindsight I wish I'd known better. Cheap though! Actually, this third one seems to be doing pretty well (knock on wood!)

 

[Rollin'in'Zona]

Specter not good

Looks like I can get a Specter OEM rebuilt for $200 ($300 - $100 core). Depending on shipping, I'll either go this route or the AoutoZone Gold.

Thanks all!

Just a followup FWIW: The Specter rebuild mentioned above does not come w/ a voltage regulator, wich runs an additional $175! That puts it at $5 less than the Mean Green high output. Looks like Auto Zone Gold it will be for now!

Thanks everyone!

Richard

 

[esh]

If you end up with the Auto Zone alt, will you take pics before the install? I'd like to see the area around the lobes. Would be great to see a shot of the two units sitting next to each other.

I ended up getting mine rebuilt as MG was the only alternative I could find to OEM.

 

[SDFJ60]

yeah, the stock Alternator sucks on the 60, I have to rev it at lights or the stereo starts draining too much power.

 

[brownbag]

Mr. Amp alternator for FJ60

Check these guys out http://www.performancedistributors.com/alternator.htm

I just bought there Mr. Amp alternator

Specs:
maximum output of 130 amps and 65 amps at idle
Part# MR-130-LC (Toyota Landcruiser w/ F or 2F Engine) w/ V belt pulley $285.00 $242.25

I'm also tired of keeping my foot on the gas at stop lights...

 

[SDFJ60]

So do the FJ60s have an internal or an external regulator?

 

[informationjunky]

I've got a used one with double pully, $20 plus shipping, was using on my 60 till I found one with a single pully.

 

[Rollin'in'Zona]

Auto Zone - no go either!!

The Saga continues. I ordered a used one from CruiserParts but it appears to have almost no life in it - when spinning the shaft by hand it get "stuck" - probably on the brushes??? It's more corroded than anything on my truck, so it ain't goin' on.

Ordered one from Auto Zone. But now thay do not have the "Gold" alternator anywhere in the country! Could be months before they have one!

Went to Napa today. $278 for thiers. The guy at the counter was such a total dic&head that it took everything I had not to shove my elbow down his throat! Seriously!!!

Three weeks now w/o an alternator.

I'll check w/ CDan, and may just drop the $$$ for the Mean Green

Thanks to those who've offered FJ60 alternators, but the 62 usues a very different unit - they are not cross compatable.

R

 

[hammer1]

When my 60's went, i tried several of the local chains ( r&s, A-zone) and the ones that did take the time to help, twice got me the wrong one. ended up at a small shop. they got me a re-man , made by someone who's box has a big red, white, and blue eagle on it. this was last year, and it was only around 90 buch, after the 15 dollar core charge
hammer