"The Big 3 Upgrade"

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
well you probably dont need a new alternator for amps unless you plan on something crazy, im runnin 250 watts now with absolutely NO voltage drop or dimming. i wouldnt replace the alternator unless you really do need it. but with that other stuff you may need too

I'd always want a bigger alternator for an off-road vehicle. Run lots of lights, winches, power inverters for air compressors to air up after you aired down, Booster E Fans when you're working the motor hard but not getting a lot of air circulation since your really not moving fast as if driving down the highway, AND THEN of course you have the sound system to consider. All serious off-road vehicles need the Big 3 and a bigger alternator and even a dual battery set up if available. You break one night out on some country trail, you might use up all your power in work lights just trying to patch up to get out and back on the main road.
 

8T6K5

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Posts
1,128
Reaction score
121
Location
AZ
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
L98 350 TPI
I'd always want a bigger alternator for an off-road vehicle.

Agreed. Just like everyone likes to talk about how, someday, Im gonna swap in a 383, 400 or 454. ALTs are the heart of a motor.
Would you put your 105A back on it just because its still good? Hell no, Id want something 140A+ (you can always re-wind the existing alt too.)

So put it on now, if you have the resources and think you may need it in the future. If you ever do a swap you already have it (maybe need a new mount bracket).

One thing Ive learned by reading and doing this; Its the equivalent of lowering you blood pressure and getting a new heart. Who doesnt want that?
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Well Put. Take strain off the electrical, charging and starting systems, and in the event you need the extra power and longevity, it's already there.
 

Jims86

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
5,492
Reaction score
135
Location
Patterson,Ca
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10 Suburban Silverado
Engine Size
5.7 TBI
Well Put. Take strain off the electrical, charging and starting systems, and in the event you need the extra power and longevity, it's already there.

Worked on the 99 Burb yesterday...Did a service on it. Noticed that the charge post already runs from the alt to the battery, with a fuseable link in line...not sure of the amperage.
 

droseberry

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
17
Reaction score
7
Location
Woodland Hills, CA
First Name
David
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
K20 Cheyenne Super
Engine Size
350ci
Definitely need to do this on my '74 K20, especially since i'm putting in a new MSD ignition, want to keep max power to the box and coil. Great write-up, looking forward to upgrading my wires and hopefully alternator soon!
 

jake wells

Can i be me?
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Posts
2,133
Reaction score
2,486
Location
Brownsville Kentucky
First Name
jake
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
custom deluxe 10
Engine Size
350
#1 welding cable is the best but tricky to find in my area my truck has commercial batteries with screw down terminals a lot better than side post terminals.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I hate side posts. Top posts aren't so bad.
 

8T6K5

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Posts
1,128
Reaction score
121
Location
AZ
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
L98 350 TPI
Hell no, Id want something 140A

Scored that this past weekend, bracket yesterday. Just need go get my arse up to NAPA for the harness to from 3 plug to 4 plug.....only one that has it is 30min away.

Will do a write up on that too.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Driver4r

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Posts
3,087
Reaction score
40
Location
Nebraska
First Name
Trevor
Truck Year
76,74
Truck Model
k10,c20
Engine Size
355/th350/np203, 454/th350/ff-rear
I hate side posts. Top posts aren't so bad.

I have a sidepost 1000CA battery with the termial adapters to use toppost clamps.
 

8T6K5

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Posts
1,128
Reaction score
121
Location
AZ
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
L98 350 TPI
Just need go get my arse up to NAPA for the harness to from 3 plug to 4 plug.....only one that has it is 30min away.

...and I get up there and its the wrong part in the box!

Havent found it anywhere else, I think its only avail thru NAPA too.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I fuggin hate ********* that do that ****.
 

8T6K5

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Posts
1,128
Reaction score
121
Location
AZ
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
L98 350 TPI

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Label on box said: Hencho en Mexico.....nuff' said.

I have to be honest, it happens alot in USA too.

You ever bought one of those cheap desks, or say an office chair that comes in pieces with a hardware kit? Ever got a hardware kit missing a screw or part? I have a few times.
Any clue who puts some of those hardware kits together? Retards !!! No, I'm not kidding. There are such things as Adult Day Care's for the mentally challenged. And they earn money by counting screws, 10 of these, 8 of these, 4 of those, etc etc and put them into a bag. A normal person with brains looks them over then seals the bag and into a box it goes. The Tards get fed, even a trip to McDonalds once a week which is the highlight of their week and they also get a $20 bill at the end of the week when they go home. To a tard, that's their Job, they go to work.
I think it's rotten as hell in one aspect, you know someone is making a good profit off their inabilities and cheap ass labor. I'm hoping it's the Adult Day Care center and that's how they pay their staff, brick and mortar, and vans to carry the Tards around, along with fuel expenses.
Once I found this out, I've became a bit more patient when I get shorted small parts in a such project. The part I think is great about it, is the Tard really thinks they are going to work and have a real job like normal people do. They don't realize they're being babysat. That part is priceless. I"m also sure there production output isn't near what a real factory would be doing. Where a nomal person might put up 250 kits a day, I'd imagine a tard would do good to get out 50 and I"m sure some do better, but any rate... Next time you get shorted a small part or something mispackaged it might have been a less fortunate one who made the mistake.
 

8T6K5

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Posts
1,128
Reaction score
121
Location
AZ
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
L98 350 TPI
I fuggin hate ********* that do that ****.

Next time you get shorted a small part or something mispackaged it might have been a less fortunate one who made the mistake.

So was it a ******* or a 'Tard...:think:

My guess is a 'Tard working in a factory in the US is nieve to the fact that he/she is being expolited and as you say, just happy to have a job...therefor they try as hard as their mental abilities allow. That error is forgivable.

The Mexican working in a factory down in Guadalajara, while also being exploited and is happy to have a job, at least has the mental capacity to know that part #1 goes in Box #1, but figures fawk it, it cant be traced to him and because his production IS monitored and his job depends on it. That error is inexcusable.
 

89Suburban

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Posts
24,772
Reaction score
6,637
Location
Southeast PA
First Name
Paw Paw
Truck Year
2007
Truck Model
Chevrolet Tahoe LT
Engine Size
5.3, 4WD
Could be the counter person too mixed them up comparing parts with a customer's then wound up back into the wrong box, I used to see that working a Pep Boys when I was 17. That was a long time ago lol.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,173
Posts
950,832
Members
36,287
Latest member
goodwrenchca
Top