need a new 12v alternator for my 13-bt (1 Viewer)

[pradoblivious]

My alternator situation, like everything in my lj78, is a bit murky. The shop that did the 13bt swap (landcruisers direct) left me with what looks and acts exactly like a duralast a14681, however, that alternator claims to be internally regulated in the specs, and I have an external reg. The external reg that was in the truck after the engine swap was the mechanical sort with the two coils inside. This reg melted down and killed my battery in a matter of months, and I replaced it with one of those in551 clones off ebay. That's been running fine for years, but with the ensuing engine rebuild and etc... the truck has only actually been operational for maybe 6 or 7 months of solid run-time.

To thicken the plot, I had the truck at Mike Dadja's shop in Dallas back in 2018 and one of the things he pointed out was that the alternator was internally regulated, and there shouldn't be an external reg on it.. I, with many other things to prioritize, continued to focus on getting the truck mechanically sound and left the external reg in, figuring if it wasn't (yet) broke, why fix it.

Welp, now it's broke, and I would really like to replace the current alternator with something internally regulated and closer to 100 amps. Can anyone recommend a replacement alternator that'll fit the a14681 bolt-pattern and drive belt, has the vacuum pump spindle on the back (or comes with a piggy-back v-pump, is internally regulated and has decent amperage?

 

[Rigster]

Hey bud,

As a precaution I was looking at spare starter and alternator solutions, and checking pricing during the black friday events (megazip had 22% off everything)

Anyways, to my horror, a replacement OEM alternator for my cruiser was $1500US. I ended up finding an aftermarket BOSCH 110amp alternator from here and their 20% off black friday sale covered the shipping, so it ended up being $300CDN

If you do try searching up one for your ride, just be careful as you will need to do extra research and comparisons for yours as it no longer has the original motor. I am sure you should be able to match something up though for a fraction of the cost. Most of the aftermarket stuff has pretty decent warranty (3-5 yrs) on them too.

 

[pradoblivious]

yah I wasn't hoping for an OEM; I know the deal with those. What was the part number on the Bosch one you picked up, and how did you know it'd fit your bolt-pattern from the website?

 

[Rigster]

yah I wasn't hoping for an OEM; I know the deal with those. What was the part number on the Bosch one you picked up, and how did you know it'd fit your bolt-pattern from the website?

They have great customer service/chat where you can ask a lot of questions, plus they have a neat app on their website that you can enter the type of Land Cruiser you have. They did not have an option for an HZJ76 so I used the HZJ78. Not sure what they will have for options with a prado, or any options for a 13BT but thought it might be worth checking out.

You may also be able to get the part number off of your alternator and ask some questions from them to see if they can cross reference?

 

[coldtaco]

Did you look for a 3B alternator? I don’t know what alternator the shop used during the engine swap

 

[pradoblivious]

Did you look for a 3B alternator? I don’t know what alternator the shop used during the engine swap

Currently I think I have a duralast a14681, It seems like when I shop around for aftermarket 3b or 13bt alternators, I get results that don't have the vacuum spindle. I sent an inquiry to the online store rigster suggested fingers crossed.

 

[FJBen]

I’ve heard talk of the Isuzu NPR trucks having alternators with vacuum pumps on the back but I’d have to dig around to trigger my memory.

Well, worst case you can buy a much better higher output easily sourced alternator and then just run a separate electric vacuum pump.

Now off the top of my head I don’t know what that is, but seems like a good option.

 

[FJBen]

Here’s a thread from @Captain Caveman who has a 13bt in an fj62 and what he did. Maybe he can update us? Basically cs144 alternator and electric vacuum pump.

Upgraded alternator in 13bt to a CS144

I got tired of dismal lighting, slow windshield wipers, a running voltage of 13.2v with no load, and power door locks that weren't so "power". I also wanted electric fans, a decent stereo, real light from my headlights, and a voltmeter that stays well above 12.8v. I knew that in my current...

forum.ih8mud.com

Rads cruiser showing this for $795 cad
80amp alternator and pump, says will fit 3b/13bt
Alternator - Land Cruiser 12V 80A - w/IC regulator & Vac Pump - https://radd-cruisers.shoplightspeed.com/27020-68140.html

 

[pradoblivious]

amazing thanks. An electric v-pump hadn't even occured to me... That's two less oil lines to leak.

 

[pradoblivious]

Did some research and settled on one of the NPR alternators off amazon. Figured I'd give it a shot anyway for $150. Got it yesterday, it looks pretty dang close

 

[pradoblivious]

I think the main problem is going to be the width of the bottom bracket. the ntr is almost a full inch narrower.

I could take a grinder to the existing mount, but I'd like to keep it as is in case I want to go back to a proper denso/toyota part. All my metal-working gear is up in montana, so I'll probably shop around and see if there's a fab shop that'll make me something I can afford.. baring that I suppose I'll get a stick welder for texas-house.

 

[pradoblivious]

Behold. New alternator bracket v.01

So far so good. I need to get some bolts and washers for the top-side bracket, need to spin the vacuum outlets up top since they're pointing back into the oil cooler, and then figure out how to wire it up... It SEEMS like it's gonna work though.

 

[pradoblivious]

I have it in there, oil and vacume lines hooked up, and I'm looking at my current POS cable, which is maybe 8 or 10 gauge. I don't think it's going to be enough. As far as I can tell, it joins the wiring loom headed into the firewall, I think I'm gonna get a 4 gauge wire and run it to the starter solenoid instead. Advice welcome.

 

[Rigster]

Is it just me, or do others not see the pics in the last 3 or so posts on this thread?

I am assuming it is not just me, as all the other threads appear fine to me, but thought I would double check.

Glad you are getting it sorted though and I hope it works marvelously for you! All the best!

 

[jblueridge]

Larger wire can’t hurt.

No pics visible for me either. I thought it was this old iPad of mine.

 

[pradoblivious]

Larger wire can’t hurt.

No pics visible for me either. I thought it was this old iPad of mine.

oh crap really?
lets see...
thee are the pics of the units side-by side

 

[pradoblivious]

Here are the pics of the too-large bracket

 

[pradoblivious]

new bracket

 

[pradoblivious]

and mounted in there

 

[Rigster]

wow, yes the pictures seem to be good now. That alternator is really close! You will have to post the link to the alternator for others that may need to do the same once you have everything ironed out and it is working like you intended.

Nice work and ingenuity!