I have been running a Mean Green alternator on my FJ60 for a little over a year now. Last night the voltage regulator died and I barely made it back home . Has anyone else experienced a MG failure after such a short period of time. Went to the MG Industries web site and they claim only a one year warranty on this product and trying to reach their customer service is futile. Anyone have a better suggestion than the MG alternator?
Mean Green Alternator died
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80a FJ62 3FE. Mostly a bolt on and better charging at idle than the 55a factory unit.
I don’t think there is anything that comes close to the MG in overall amps.
I don’t think there is anything that comes close to the MG in overall amps.
Great warranty for a $400 Alternator...
Good luck trying to get them to warranty it, if it's over a year. I know that you can send it back for repair, but as you say, difficult to get a hold of people at MG.
Options: take it to a good local rebuilder or what Alex suggests is good.
Good luck trying to get them to warranty it, if it's over a year. I know that you can send it back for repair, but as you say, difficult to get a hold of people at MG.
Options: take it to a good local rebuilder or what Alex suggests is good.
When my 3b's alternator(s) went out I had them rebuilt at Romaine Electric in Kent Washington. Better than new and repainted. Was $275.
The 3b alternator has no drop in replacement (integrated vacuum pump) so either I buy rebuilt for exorbitant amount or have it rebuilt. First place I took it for rebuild held it for 4 days, on the phone the guy was almost crying: It is not in the book... its not in the book. When I picked up the non-rebuilt part all he could say was "Its not in the book..." wouldn't make eye contact with me.
Anyway, Romaine Electric. They have 12 locations around the country.
The 3b alternator has no drop in replacement (integrated vacuum pump) so either I buy rebuilt for exorbitant amount or have it rebuilt. First place I took it for rebuild held it for 4 days, on the phone the guy was almost crying: It is not in the book... its not in the book. When I picked up the non-rebuilt part all he could say was "Its not in the book..." wouldn't make eye contact with me.
Anyway, Romaine Electric. They have 12 locations around the country.
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mattressking
10 digits to freedom
IMHO, those alternators are way overhyped and way overpriced. If your alternator dies, I would take my dead alternator to a local shop and have it rebuilt by someone that knows what they are doing and that you can actually deal with if there is an issue. If you're wanting to put one with higher output, you can easily retrofit almost any alternator into the FJ60. There is lots of room there. I put in a big Leece Neville. Those are what they use in applications like ambulances, etc. Favorite in applications that take lots of power.
Always interested in more power. Can you give a bit of detail on what you had to do to install? Also part/model number would be handy. Photos would be gold. I've been looking for a good HD alternative for the 55a OEM, and while there are a number of threads, would love to find a solution that doesn't use new alt bracket or spacer, and minimal wiring changes.
Cheers!
Glenn in Marana
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I never had one of their alternators but I've had a few of their starters and they have never been reliable for me.
If you want a good powerful alternator go GM and make some custom brackets.
If you want a good powerful alternator go GM and make some custom brackets.
spotcruiser
Geezer
What model of MG is it (Delco model number)? Just order a new voltage regulator and fix it yourself. It's like $20-30.
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Thank you all for your inputs and insights. I am still awaiting a call back from MG, I'll give it until Tuesday then probably rip out this one and put in a GM, maybe have it rebuilt if it is not too expensive.
Idaho Savage
GOLD Star
FWIW, I put one in my 7.3l plow truck this winter and haven't been super impressed. Not much of an improvement over stock as far as I can tell.
I went with a FJ80 internal fan 90 amp alternator. One small cut on the oem bracket and it mounts right in place. The cost of the alternator was $75 and new OEM Denso. I feel that is one of the best bets for cheap oem available parts that are not high amperage performance parts.
I have a Mean Green I picked up used from another member. It is a GM style and while I would prefer Toyota, I could not find one that would fit with ease. So far (knock on wood) it has been fine. I may see if I can match it to a GM alt so I have an easy spare.
This one was simple enough as more of less bolted right in (changed the upper bracket and made a small spacer for the bottom). Came with the correct plug etc. It does use the stock Toyota belt.
On mine there is just an adapter for Toyota to GM on the plug.
We will see. for any long trips I will carry my spare FJ60 alternator if I cannot find a spare GM one, just in case (it is one of a few bigger spare parts I would carry) as I have yet to give that up. Installing it is easy enough and with simple tools if I need to.
I like to stay Toyota as much as possible on my rig, but if it does not require any altercations and I can get parts elsewhere, why not.
Seem FJ60 alts are gone or going by the way side.
This one was simple enough as more of less bolted right in (changed the upper bracket and made a small spacer for the bottom). Came with the correct plug etc. It does use the stock Toyota belt.
On mine there is just an adapter for Toyota to GM on the plug.
We will see. for any long trips I will carry my spare FJ60 alternator if I cannot find a spare GM one, just in case (it is one of a few bigger spare parts I would carry) as I have yet to give that up. Installing it is easy enough and with simple tools if I need to.
I like to stay Toyota as much as possible on my rig, but if it does not require any altercations and I can get parts elsewhere, why not.
Seem FJ60 alts are gone or going by the way side.
Whats a good place to get a Mean Green for an FJ40?
I have a Mean Green and I struggle to get the darn thing to run straight. I cannot for the life of me get that spacer right. I've bent the bracket back once all ready but need to do it again. So far the thing has been fine for a few years. I still notice a drop in voltage when all accessories are on. I need to make sure all of the grounds are still good. I also didn't put a fatter gauge wire from the alt to the bat as most have suggested. I need to do that and see if it makes it any better.
