Alternator replacement

[snorgleplank]

Hey everyone I need to get a new alternator. The denso OEM Lexus one is being quoted at 600 bucks. I do run a lithium battery in the back with a redarc BCDC 1240 and a full throttle battery AGM battery under the hood. ive looked at high output alternators and they seem to be the same price after upgrading wiring as well. Has anyone had experience with running a JS or other high output alternator on their GX? Would you recommend or advise against it?

 

[Acrad]

Stock around $430

https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com/p/Lexus__GX-460/Alternator/63082531/2706038110.html

 

[ztodd377]

Look at TAE Electrical. They make quality alternators and starters.

 

[snorgleplank]

Stock around $430

https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com/p/Lexus__GX-460/Alternator/63082531/2706038110.html

Thanks for link — says it wouldn’t fit my 2013 though. I am also just curious about the opinions on high output alternators..

 

[Acrad]

Try this PN

https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com/p/Lexus__/Alternator/63240227/2706038090.html

 

[snorgleplank]

Try this PN

https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com/p/Lexus__/Alternator/63240227/2706038090.html

So I take it you recommend sticking to OEM?

 

[Acrad]

Not necessarily.. there are some good 3rd party units out but will need some to chime in.

Non 3 zone AC 460's use 130A and 3 zone use 150A

I've heard that alternator used in Sequoia 4.6L (option till around '12) is 180A.. PN: 27060-38050
Not confirmed fit but price seems to be about the same

IIRC mount points looked the same

Toyota Alternator Assembly With Regulator #27060-38050 | Autoparts.toyota.com

Genuine Toyota Alternator Assembly With Regulator delivers steady charging output with integrated regulation for reliable power.

autoparts.fredandersontoyota.com

 

[evolute]

I replaced the alternator in my 2013 with an oem 150A about a year ago. I figured if the first one lasted over a 150k miles, the $500 for an oem unit is worth it. It is not exactly a fun install if you are doing it diy…I would hate to have to do it again in less than another 150k miles just to save a few bucks.

 

[snorgleplank]

Not necessarily.. there are some good 3rd party units out but will need some to chime in.

Non 3 zone AC 460's use 130A and 3 zone use 150A

I've heard that alternator used in Sequoia 4.6L (option till around '12) is 180A.. PN: 27060-38050
Not confirmed fit but price seems to be about the same

IIRC mount points looked the same

Toyota Alternator Assembly With Regulator #27060-38050 | Autoparts.toyota.com

Genuine Toyota Alternator Assembly With Regulator delivers steady charging output with integrated regulation for reliable power.

autoparts.fredandersontoyota.com

Good info to have thank you. I guess my question too is if having higher amperage output going to cause electrical issues since the car wasn’t designed to get 280A+

 

[Acrad]

Higher amperage capacity by itself does not force extra amperage into the car. The 460's electrical loads only the amp draw it needs

That being said there could be some additional drag on the belt/pulley system of a larger alternator but I can't imagine it would be anything of concern.

 

[Rednexus]

DC Power Engineering makes a 270 amp for $600:

270 Amp XP High Output Alternator (Lexus GX460 4.6L)

Our XP series high-output alternators are the ultimate upgrade when you need the absolute biggest and most sophisticated high output alternator on the planet. All of our XP series alternators are designed for one purpose, brute force idle output. When you need the most extreme idle output with...

www.dcpowerinc.com

I have one of their 180 amp alternators in my 470 and have been happy with it. It's probably overkill for my needs, but I was proactively replacing the alternator anyway and figured it would be good to have a slightly bigger one for winching use and running LED lights. They have higher idle amperage than other aftermarket alternators, and I always felt the OEM alternator was weak in that regard (lights would dim at idle sometimes).

When I replaced the alternator I also performed the "big 3" battery cable upgrade (with 1/0 cables that I cut and crimped) and upgraded to SDHQ billet battery terminals. The OEM hot wire from the alternator to the battery is only around 10 ga or and is unfused, so I think it's plausible that a big alternator coupled with a big accessory draw could melt that cable and possibly start an electrical fire. The 1/0 cable should safely handle 250+ amps. Lastly the SDHQ terminals are much better than the OEM terminals (and safer electrically) for mounting accessory cable lugs.

Also it's nice to see another eastern Missouri member on here!

 

[snorgleplank]

DC Power Engineering makes a 270 amp for $600:

270 Amp XP High Output Alternator (Lexus GX460 4.6L)

Our XP series high-output alternators are the ultimate upgrade when you need the absolute biggest and most sophisticated high output alternator on the planet. All of our XP series alternators are designed for one purpose, brute force idle output. When you need the most extreme idle output with...

www.dcpowerinc.com

I have one of their 180 amp alternators in my 470 and have been happy with it. It's probably overkill for my needs, but I was proactively replacing the alternator anyway and figured it would be good to have a slightly bigger one for winching use and running LED lights. They have higher idle amperage than other aftermarket alternators, and I always felt the OEM alternator was weak in that regard (lights would dim at idle sometimes).

When I replaced the alternator I also performed the "big 3" battery cable upgrade (with 1/0 cables that I cut and crimped) and upgraded to SDHQ billet battery terminals. The OEM hot wire from the alternator to the battery is only around 10 ga or and is unfused, so I think it's plausible that a big alternator coupled with a big accessory draw could melt that cable and possibly start an electrical fire. The 1/0 cable should safely handle 250+ amps. Lastly the SDHQ terminals are much better than the OEM terminals (and safer electrically) for mounting accessory cable lugs.

Also it's nice to see another eastern Missouri member on here!
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Nice work! I have the SDHQ terminals as well, they’re awesome. Someone suggested TAE as well for high output alternators. When you were deciding, did you consider them and what made you go with DC power? I’ll also definitely do the big 3 upgrade as well.

 

[Rednexus]

Nice work! I have the SDHQ terminals as well, they’re awesome. Someone suggested TAE as well for high output alternators. When you were deciding, did you consider them and what made you go with DC power? I’ll also definitely do the big 3 upgrade as well.

I went with DC Power mainly because of the higher idle amperage and because they had a smaller 180A alternator. They also had decent reviews, relative to many other aftermarket alternator companies that had terrible reviews.

FYI one of the best recommended ones on here is Nations Alternators which is in Cape Girardeau of all places, but they only offer a 270 amp alternator for a GX470 and it was $700 vs. $500 for the DC. Since you are probably locked in to a 270 amp anyway for a 460, a Nations might not be that much more than other options (and supporting a local vendor is always nice).

 

[r2m]

On your other post, I posted that I've used a couple of Tuscon's alternators on my rigs and they've been very good.
Check them out: 2010 Lexus GX460 4.6L V8 High Output Alternators | Tucson Alternator - https://www.tucsonalternator.com/high-output-alternator/Lexus/GX460/Show%20All/2010/

 

[bryanle96]

I use a tucson 240a. Had it installed in the beginning of this year and it works great. I did the big 3 upgrade at the same time.

 

[snorgleplank]

I use a tucson 240a. Had it installed in the beginning of this year and it works great. I did the big 3 upgrade at the same time.

For those of you who did get high output alternators, did you have to change the belt?

 

[bryanle96]

Tucson recommends a half inch shorter belt, but I've been running the OEM one.

 

[r2m]

For those of you who did get high output alternators, did you have to change the belt?

Had my mechanic install it, so I wouldn't know. After the headache of installing one on my old 100 series, I decided to let someone else deal with it.

 

[moondoggy]

I purchased the alternator from the my local Lexus dealer, they sold me a re manufactures one, if you want new or a good price from the dealer check out Bell Lexus from Scottsdale Az. they are coming up on their 4 th of July sale, if it is anything like last year it was a good deal, beat my local shops by 50% and with free shipping, if you need it fast order it early it can takes weeks to get it due to the volume of sales. I know they are doing doing fingers stretches and back exercise right now getting ready.