How to swap a high amp Dodge Durango alternator into your Jeep Wrangler TJ
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
06TJ35's
TJ Addict
I've seen several places where it is run back to the battery directly. When. I get thinks unwrapped more tomorrow I will make a final decision how I will handle it
You can pick up a full 4 gauge set with ends from Amazon for like 15 bucks more wire than I need but nice to have.
Went in very easily. The trickiest part was the old alternator was really like where it was and took convincing to come out. The belt is easy to loosen since there is the pivot right below it that you can push down with a 1/2" wrench and temporarily loosen the belt. New altnerantor slipped right in to make it easier to get the belt back on I just barely got the bolts going so I had some play and I slipped the belt back on without much fuss. The connector for the PCU went right into place. Then ran a new 4 gauge wire back to the battery. Started her up ran like a champ no warning lights just plug and play. I highly recommend this swap out so far easy to do and even if you get a new or remanufactured unit as opposed to a junk yard it is about $115. If your alternator goes I dont see any downside to doing this swap.
Thanks, please keep it up. I may want to do this some day!I didn't actually do this. I copied and pasted this article from another site.
I do that often... I'm trying to compile as many TJ resources as I can in one place
Well i just got notified the durango alternator will be in today so hopefully it will all work out if not ill have a alternator for sale.
06TJ35's
TJ Addict
I have an 2006 I did the Durango swap without changing wires. Going on 3 years.
My only concern is i will have to change the pigtail to fit the dodge alternator.
06TJ35's
TJ Addict
I’m not sure what the pigtail is but it was bolt on I didn’t change a thing. Everything matched.
With a properly functioning regulator, it should not affect the CPU. A high output alternator puts out more current (amps), not more voltage.
I would recommend this to anyone who has installed an electric winch. Most electric winches at full pull will draw between 300 ~ 400 amps. A higher output alternator will extend the amount of time before you discharge the battery(s). I would also recommend dual batteries.
Personally, I went with a hydraulic winch, which only draws 2 or 3 amps for the hydraulic switches.
I did a little research and found a new 160A alternator for a Jeep Wrangler.
In the stats they list the output as "80 Amps at Idle - 160 Amps at Maximum"
If anyone is interested it's new, not remanufactured, and costs $250. That junkyard alt looks better and better.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/paperf-alternator-160a-0006-2422.html
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Hmm I don’t know my 03 had that same plug on both my stock and Durango replacement I’ll look through my service manuals and see what I can find