Denso Alternator

So my 10 year old truck still has the original alternator. I'm planning on a trip this summer and was thinking of replacing the alternator just to be on the safe side. Looking at a rebuilt Denso, does anybody have experience with these? Is there a better alternative?

 

If it ain’t broke. Don’t fix it

 

First how many miles on your truck? I generally wouldn’t replace the alternator as long as it’s working. Depending on the number of miles on your truck there are things I would replace proactively. I have a ten year old taco with 95000 miles on it. I’m going on a 2500 to 3000 mile trip and I replaced a number of things but the alternator isn’t one of them.

 

I 3x these recommendations. Dont mess with it. My truck is an 08 with 160k miles and the alternator is the least of my worries if I were to take it across country. It's not really a preventative item. If you want to be preventative about anything I would pack a decent toolbox for the trip just in case something were to go wrong you arent at the mercy of a shop.

 

To be quite honest I dont think they are any items on my truck that would hold me back from going out and putting 3k miles on her with long road trips. That Toyota confidence but I do pretty routine maintenance on my vehicle. Well actually I stand corrected... I believe my wiper blades are getting close

 

I'm a tic tac short of 120k, sounds like I shouldn't worry about it. A buddy of mine has a 08 OR with about the same miles and the alternator shit the bed. That's what got me thinking about replacing mine. I've replaced all the fluids,serpentine belt and I'm gonna get new tires before I go. Sounds like I'm good

 

Yeah with things like alternators, they either work or they don't. They don't really have a life span or recommend service life. And alot is on individual basis. Can have one last 1k miles (and yes working at a dealership I've seen a couple only go 1k miles) and ive seen cars with well over 200k and still on factory alternator.

 

I think I'll just cross my fingers and let it roll. I owned a Ranger before the Tacoma. She was a solid truck except the alternator would quite every 5 years like clockwork

 

Do it!!! I think you'll be fine. And sounds like others will as well. But as I recommend to most people... these are all just opinions and experiences we've had. If you feel more comfortable with a certain thing then by all means do it! We can talk you into or out of something all day but in the end it's your vehicle.

 

As stated above - take tools you'll need for the most common repairs. Push-come-to-shove, you can always buy a POS alt. from one of the mass marketers if you break down in Podunk USA. Finding a rebuilt Denso in a place like that might not happen.

 

Yeah I usually carry tools with me whenever I travel. Podunk is where I'm heading and I dont want to be left to the mercy of a shop.

 

Although mine is a 1st gen, it may not be the same alternator you have. Speaking to service life of an alt etc.

I have 295+ thousand miles on mine. It now charges 2 batteries, and still puts out between 13.8 and 14.1 volts.

 

I’m leaving in 2 weeks on a trip that will take from Elk Grove Ca. Through Nevada, up to Idaho , on to Montana, Wyoming and down to st, George Ut. Then across Nevada and back home. A lot of remote lonely places far from service. I did the following - at 90000 I had complete maintenance, a tune up, new plugs, radiator flush, new upper and lower radiator hoses, oil change, new tranny fluid, new oil in front and rear diff. A couple weeks ago I had a new serpentine belt put on. My battery was 5 years old and I replaced it. I replace my batteries every 5 years. It cheap to do that and you don’t have to worry about your battery failing at an inopportune time. New windshield wipers. Bought a set of headlight bulbs to have handy. Was close to needing tires so got new tires. Had my best of the used tires transferred to be my spare. Make sure your spare tire is adequate pressure. Had my mechanic do a thorough inspection. I’m at 95000 miles and am ready to go.
I’m bringing a bunch of stuff along too, from tools, tape, plastic ties, tire blocks, hydraulic jack, portable emergency hazard lights, flash lights, extra batteries and several other things.

 

I bought a rebuilt Denso Alternator From the Toyota Dealer price was not bad

Core Charge cheap enough to keep the old one and rebuild it

 

I guess I wouldn't change it out preemptively, but if you are really worried about it, buy it and bring it (and the tools necessary to change it) along. It's a fairly easy job, typically. Also, a shop in Podunk wouldn't charge much to swap it out, either. I carry a spare serpentine belt in the truck all the time.

 

Good to know, I've done all of this except for the radiator hoses. My battery is over 5 years old so I'll probably replaced that and the tires. I just replaced both front wheel bearings about 7k ago. Like you I'll carry tools and a nice get out bag

 

I've seen em online for about 260 bucks. When I replace it Ud like to stay with Denso and not a knock off brand

 

If your alternator does fail it will most likely be the brushes. I'd go to the dealer and get a set of replacement brushes. Throw those in the glove-box and head out.

While your there get a set of contacts for the starter solenoid. Cheap insurance to keep you charged and starting. You tube videos galore on the replacement procedure for both. You could probaly do both in an hour if your good with a wrench.