Fusible links and wire upgrade

[Slicknick630]

So today I replaced all my negative wires with 2ga wire to clean things up a bit and I needed new battery terminals and all that. I am making all the wires and connections myself as opposed to buying the kit since I have most of everything anyway. I am now doing the positive wires now and I ran into the whole debate about fusible links. I see in some of the big upgraded wire kits that you can buy they come with an actual fuse to replace the fusible link. I have the 117 amp alternator and I want to upgrade all the positive wires but I am torn as to whether or not I should install a 150 amp fuse or just leave the fusible link alone. Please let me know your input.

 

[CharlesHS]

The '01 Sport 4.0L that I purchased 1/20 had battery cables and clamps were in need of replacing. The 8 ga cables (course) had more than 1" of wire showing indicating the insulation was receding due to age (original OEM cables) and the battery clamps were gouged badly. The positive clamp has the beginnings of a crack that would not allow you to tighten the clamp without finishing the crack.
I had 2 ga and 8 ga fine stranded cabling left over from a battery cable project on my '98 XJ 4.0L along with fusion copper terminals and military battery clamps. I fabricated all new positive and negative cables and grounding, but since I was not upgrading the 117A alternator; I decided to reuse the charging cable with fusible link from the alternator to the PDC.

 

[MichaelGH]

I always use a “slow-blow” fuse for the alternator. I run a 136 amp alternator so I use a 150 amp bolt on fuse in a holder. Not the best pictures but it gives you an idea…

 

[03sahara]

You can buy actual fusible links here https://www.whiteproducts.com/fusible-service.shtml

 

[Slicknick630]

well in the end I went with a 150 ANL fuse that pairs with my 117amp alternator and 1ga wire for everything (positive and negative wires).