Alternator Upgrade

Does anyone know anything about upgrading your truck's alternator? I'm adding an electrical system to my trailer and I could use the extra juice.

Thanks.

 

Do you have the tow package on your truck? If so then you have a heavy duty upgraded alternator.

 

Some here have used this one

https://www.mechman.com/alternators/toyota/tacoma/4-0l/2005-2010/

@Muddinfun would probably know the best options.

 

I don’t have any experience with bigger alternators on a Taco, but that’s a pretty bad ass alternator. You’ll definitely need to upgrade the wiring and fuse if you put 1 in.

 

Something like this work?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2nd-gen-tacoma-writeup-with-pictures.664674/

 

Yep.

 

Newer Audi's have bigger alternators than older ones, with more watts.
And for those, the bolt pattern is interchangeable and requires a new design $3 plastic clip.

I imagine it's not too different with Toyota's.

When there's a will, there's a way.

 

The V6 2nd gen Tacoma's came with a 100-amp alternator, with optional 130-amp alternator for the towing package models. The 130-amp can drop in place of the 100-amp with no modifications other than to replace the 120-amp fuse with a 140-amp fuse in the fuse panel. I have a thread on how to replace that fuse.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-box-battery-wire-replacement-upgrade.420450/

For higher output alternators, you will need, at a minimum, to upgrade the alternator to fuse box cable. You should also consider upgrading the engine to chassis ground cable (or add a second ground cable); the battery to chassis ground cable; and the fuse box to battery hot cable. As to what size cable to upgrade to depends on the alternator output and length of cables, among other factors (heat, connectors, wire material, insulation, etc...). There are numerous calculators on the net you can use to help choose the correct size wire gauge. Below is a good calculator; you want the voltage drop to be less than 3%; <2% to be on the safe side.
https://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html

I went with a 200-amp alternator from bnrparts, an eBay vendor. I'm using 1/0 cable from alternator to a junction block that splits power to the fuse box and battery isolator for my second battery.