OEM or aftermarket alternator?

(2001 Tacoma SR5 4x4 2.7ltr 135K miles) Will be changing out my alternator soon and was wondering what everyone's choice would be. OEM, Remanufact, rebuilt, aftermarket.......

 

My .02 cents worth:

ALL of the above choices will likely be re-manufactured units, even from the dealer.
Try to avoid a re-man of what was originally an aftermarket unit.

If you're handy, you can get a reman kit from the dealer to rebuild your, presumably, OEM alternator.
It would include brushes and maybe diodes. If it needs bearings, though, I would just buy a
new reman'ed unit.

 

I have had a reman alternator for approx 5 years with zero problems. I believe it is a NipponDenso unit. Usually I am getting 14.1 to 14.3 volts while idling.
It was from a AutoZone.

I also have a reman starter from Carquest/advance, also NipponDenso. I just exchanged it for free due to contact failure (a normal wear and tear component). Next time it happens, I will replace the contacts. Apparently you can only replace the starter for free one time. After that there is only a 90 day warranty. It is a very quiet starter.

Bottom line, an OEM alternator is cost prohibitive unless you buy a used one (ahem, I have one for sale). You can get an aftermarket new/reman unit for ~$100 after you give them your old one.

 

I guess it kinda depends on why you're changing it out. Presumably it's bad and you just need a replacement, in which case it depends on your budget. But I would hesitate with a reman one.

But maybe you're wanting to power lights and accessories? If that's the case, an oem one won't work well, there are some guys on here that have aftermarket high output alternators. Search around, you'll find them.

 

I personally have all mine re-built by a shop here in town,, way better than a mass re-builder at the box store I think, I know come to think of it. He'll rebuild what is bad, the electrical side or the bearing side or both if needed. He also does my starters.
This way there's not fitment issues on the OEM parts that came off your vehicle.
What I'm saying is see if can find a rebuild shop nearby with a good reputation.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Definitely plan to go back with same size.

 

I got a rebuilt one from Toyota The Core Charge was cheap enough I kept and rebuilt my original one