Alternator troubles.

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GojiraFJ60

GojiraFJ60

Joined
Oct 31, 2025
Threads
5
Messages
197
Location
Georgia
Soooooooo, I’m back for more!

My cooling system is still a “WIP”…but I discovered another problem before I crossed the finish line with that. My alternator’s not putting out any sort of power. I’m reading through the 2F SM (that I forgot I had in my Tuffy Box) and I’ve identified the correct alternator I have. It was suggested to me by @CruiserTrash to check out the voltage regulator as the possible culprit, and if I’m reading correctly, that’s the “IC Regulator” as labeled in the FSM?

I currently have a screw (where the end of my screwdriver is pointing in the photo provided) that’s just spinning around and will not come out. Is it safe to hit that with WD40 or anything like that? It moves, it’s just not backing out for me to get access…

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Trying to further break down what the current “snag” is: There appears to be what I’m guessing is something that catches the thread of the screws. With my “problem screw”, that little piece is just spinning along with the screw as I try to unscrew it. I honestly don’t really know what to do, and at this rate, I may be better off taking it to someone or shipping it off for repairs.
 
GojiraFJ60 said:
Soooooooo, I’m back for more!

My cooling system is still a “WIP”…but I discovered another problem before I crossed the finish line with that. My alternator’s not putting out any sort of power. I’m reading through the 2F SM (that I forgot I had in my Tuffy Box) and I’ve identified the correct alternator I have. It was suggested to me by @CruiserTrash to check out the voltage regulator as the possible culprit, and if I’m reading correctly, that’s the “IC Regulator” as labeled in the FSM?

I currently have a screw (where the end of my screwdriver is pointing in the photo provided) that’s just spinning around and will not come out. Is it safe to hit that with WD40 or anything like that? It moves, it’s just not backing out for me to get access…

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Yes that’s the VR on top there, or “IC regulator” as the manual calls it. I think those screws aren’t supposed to come all the way out, they captive. Loosen all of them and the VR should slide up and out.
 
CruiserTrash said:
Yes that’s the VR on top there, or “IC regulator” as the manual calls it. I think those screws aren’t supposed to come all the way out, they captive. Loosen all of them and the VR should slide up and out.
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Right. At least I know I’m in the right spot. My only problem is just the last screw not coming out enough for me to slide the vr “up and out”, unless I’m just being a bit too careful because I don’t want to break anything.
 
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After some tinkering around, trying to get that last screw out (apparently some years back here on Mud, other guys here had a similar issue when I was scouring older threads), I had to break the old VR off. I’m not really sure what all I need to be looking for?

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Those 55 amp FJ60 stock alternators are kinda impossible to find now, rebuilt or otherwise. The VR are readily available, though.

Rather than risk busting something, it's good practice to get a recommendation for a mom 'n pop Alternator/Starter rebuilder in your area - local club may have rex - and take it to them for testing and possible rebuild.

@GA Architect might know a place ?
 
Spike Strip said:
Those 55 amp FJ60 stock alternators are kinda impossible to find now, rebuilt or otherwise. The VR are readily available, though.

Rather than risk busting something, it's good practice to get a recommendation for a mom 'n pop Alternator/Starter rebuilder in your area - local club may have rex - and take it to them for testing and possible rebuild.

@GA Architect might know a place ?
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Yeah I spoke to @HemiAlex yesterday in response to something he posted yesterday and the topic of my alt came up. He mentioned to me that Rock Auto had them; I initially didn’t think they did, but that was my mistake because I didn’t “look down far enough” on their website. I ordered one and I’ll be going from there…HOPEFULLY that’s all that is wrong with it so I can wrap up the cooling system job.

I DO need to get a little more involved to see about some local places that work with these old trucks too. Matt (CruiserMatt) is a great resource and I like working with him thus far, but he is one state away.
 
The one from RockAuto fits but it's it's not the correct unit. I bought one and returned it.

Some people have installed it and say it works, there's a pigtail that will adapt to stock connector, but for me I wanted a stock looking alternator. If you don't care about that then there shouldn't be a problem.
 
I’ve been running the adapted alternator with a pig tail for a few years now. Doesn’t look right but it works.
 
Spike Strip said:
The one from RockAuto fits but it's it's not the correct unit. I bought one and returned it.

Some people have installed it and say it works, there's a pigtail that will adapt to stock connector, but for me I wanted a stock looking alternator. If you don't care about that then there shouldn't be a problem.
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Huh…now that’s some interesting information. I suppose with that in mind, should I keep the old VR in hopes of a possible rebuild and use the new one as a patch?
 
Following up with that…I just tapped on an ad here from FJParts.com just out of curiosity and they seem to have remanufactured VRs. Maybe an option too? Lol

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That's just a quirk with the Toyota system, I think. Those VRs are new. They are all new. Do not return your stock alternator core. It's worth more than the 20 Bucks they're going to give you. Keep it for future backup or sell it as a core to someone here. (Me :)).

The RockAuto alternator does not have a voltage regulator like that. It is actually internal and not accessible unless you take the unit apart.
 
Spike Strip said:
Rock Auto - Pure Energy Alternator Question | IH8MUD.com Forum | Toyota, Lexus & Off-Road Community Discussions Rock Auto - Pure Energy Alternator Question - https://share.google/VXJBzRo7x2yPy3iJY
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Spike, as @GojiraFJ60 mentioned, I just ordered the Remy brand external fan 3FE 80 Series alternator suggested in the "Alternator Altering" thread. What I got in the box was the internal fan 1FZ alternator. Bummer. Rock Auto doesn't really have a way to handle that situation in their automated exchange/return program on their website, so I just had to simply return it for a refund. I'm betting if I reorder another Remy alternator, they're going to send me the exact same unit I just returned. How many people are order that particular part number from them? You know as soon as the return is processed that box is going right to the front of the shelf in their warehouse where it says "Remy 3FE alternator", ready for the next dupe to buy it. Not sure what to do. Maybe try the amazon one somebody suggested on that thread.
 
CruiserTrash said:
Spike, as @GojiraFJ60 mentioned, I just ordered the Remy brand external fan 3FE 80 Series alternator suggested in the "Alternator Altering" thread. What I got in the box was the internal fan 1FZ alternator. Bummer. Rock Auto doesn't really have a way to handle that situation in their automated exchange/return program on their website, so I just had to simply return it for a refund. I'm betting if I reorder another Remy alternator, they're going to send me the exact same unit I just returned. How many people are order that particular part number from them? You know as soon as the return is processed that box is going right to the front of the shelf in their warehouse where it says "Remy 3FE alternator", ready for the next dupe to buy it. Not sure what to do. Maybe try the amazon one somebody suggested on that thread.
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I ordered a replacement alt from TPI 4x4 Landcruiser Parts - https://tpi4x4.com/. Works great and already setup for the factory bracket and harness. You just need to swap the pulley.

They are old school. Best to give them a call to order.
 
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CruiserTrash said:
Spike, as @GojiraFJ60 mentioned, I just ordered the Remy brand external fan 3FE 80 Series alternator suggested in the "Alternator Altering" thread. What I got in the box was the internal fan 1FZ alternator. Bummer. Rock Auto doesn't really have a way to handle that situation in their automated exchange/return program on their website, so I just had to simply return it for a refund. I'm betting if I reorder another Remy alternator, they're going to send me the exact same unit I just returned. How many people are order that particular part number from them? You know as soon as the return is processed that box is going right to the front of the shelf in their warehouse where it says "Remy 3FE alternator", ready for the next dupe to buy it. Not sure what to do. Maybe try the amazon one somebody suggested on that thread.
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I have the 80 amp alt on my truck now, and I was planning on taking it off and going back to the stock 55 amp ONLY BECAUSE of problems with the belt.

UNLESS this works:

(Bracket from Vintageteqparts.com designed to allow 80-amp alternator on your 81-87 2F and have full alternator adjustment).

Haven't installed it yet. Just rec'd from Matt yesterday. He doesn't have it listed on his website, yet.

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Bit of an update on my end. Regulator replaced and finally got everything back in…started the truck up and still no power being generated from the alternator. And as a simple test, I just disconnected the positive terminal from the battery.

I haven’t decided what I want to do just yet; either take it somewhere to have it repaired, or buy a new one. But leaning towards @Spike Strip had mentioned earlier…I don’t want to send my core to Rock.
 
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