Alternator is starting to go. What's the go-to brand?

tjjohnson8554

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The alternator in my 2001 4.0 seems to be on the fritz and on its way out. What's the go-to brand? Currently, it has the OEM Denso 56041864AA. Thank you!
 
I think there’s a thread on here somewhere about swapping out the stock alternator for a Dodge Durango one.

Supposedly a higher amp output than the stock alternator, and fits, but I don’t know what changes you’d have to make, if any.

I understand you can get high amp aftermarket alternator's, but they’re not cheap, hence the Durango swap.

Hope this helps. 😺
 
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Denso is very well regarded and is the OEM I believe. RockAuto doesn’t have the Denso 117A TJ alternator listed so if you can’t find it elsewhere I’d go for the Denso 160A Durango alternator which is available on RockAuto.

Edit: Or since you do have the OE you could look into getting it rebuilt.
 
Since it's a simple 10-15 minute job, go with the one with the best warranty.
This. Get one from a local store so you can swap it out on their parking lot if needed.

And get the one from the 4.7 Durango. It is a 160A output and is a direct bolt in.

While you're at it, do the Jeepcables.com Big 7 wire upgrade.
 
When upgrading an alternator with a higher amperage rating; you need to remember to replace the fusible link cable or install a fuse in the charging cable of appropriate rating between the alternator and fuse box.

Check with PaPerformance; they have a 136A alternator available.

https://www.paperformance.com/alternators/jeep/97-06-wranger-tj/
 
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Remy 94116 is the Durango alternator. Made new and generally a reputable manufacturer. Nameplate is 160A, but my spec sheet says 185A as tested.

Make sure you swap your old pulley into the new alternator as the TJ stock alternator pulley is a smaller diameter, as is the crankshaft pulley.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/remy,94116,alternator+/+generator,2412
 
I just did the Durango alternator install and it was a direct swap, no belt or pulley change.

Was your alternator pulley the same diameter? The Durango stock alternator pulley is slightly larger. You'd still be able to get the original belt on; you just wouldn't get as much power at low or mid-RPM.
 
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Whenever you replace your alternator on any vehicle you should check the pulley diameter.
In the past 10 years when I replaced the alternator on my ‘98 XJ and ‘93 LC PZJ; I needed to swap the drive pulley.
 
Was your alternator pulley the same diameter? The Durango stock alternator pulley is slightly larger. You'd still be able to get the original belt on; you just wouldn't get as much power at low or mid-RPM.
No clue as I did the swap in the parts store parking lot when it failed on a trail ride. Everything I've read on the swap doesn't mention changing the pulley.
 
No clue as I did the swap in the parts store parking lot when it failed on a trail ride. Everything I've read on the swap doesn't mention changing the pulley.

I noted it on the thread for the Durango swap but it probably got buried. Everything will still work with the larger pulley, just the alternator will not be able to put out as much current as it was designed for. (Still should put out more than the factory alternator regardless.)

Basically the Durango has a slightly larger crank pulley (7.25" vs 6.5") and a significantly higher rev limiter RPM (I believe 6,000 vs 5,300), so that alternator gets a larger pulley so it doesn't get over-spun. The TJ uses a smaller pulley to compensate for the smaller crank pulley and to put out more current at or below 2,000 engine RPM and especially at idle.

Realistically it probably will only be noticeable at idle unless you're running a lot of electronics or a winch.