Thread: 15AC Alternator upgrade?

Originally Posted by Andwoo

I've been thinking for a while about upgrading the 15AC alternator in Willy. I think I've worked out that its 28amps and would like something bigger to give me some more independance in the bush.
Does anyone have any advice on an easy upgrade? Have been looking at some new lucas units on ebay either a 17acr or a 60amp universal lucas unit?
I've been told that some bosch units or ac Delco's would be an easy fit too ?

Almost anything is an upgrade of a Lucas 15AC alternator. Take your old alternator to a good auto sparkie and get him to match up the mounts on a modern Bosch replacement. Or find a 55 amp Bosch alternator at a wrecking yard and fab some mounts to fit. I would not recommend going over 55 amp unless you upgrde the output power cable to the battery.

Type "Bosch 12V alternator" into ebay.com.au and you usually find a handful on there, look at the piccies and find one with similar mounts.

I purchased and installed one of the Lucas universal ones. The lower mounts were within a couple of mm of the one I took out. The top mount was awkward because the unit is actually physically larger. I had an old Holden alternator bracket lying around and it fitted perfectly.

Lining up the pulley was 'interesting' - basically I ended up removing all the packing and it lined up perfectly. Getting the torque wrench to do its job afterwards was awkward.

I needed a new fan belt, too. The Bosch 11A1065 fitted perfectly.

And, yes, I ran a new big fat wire to the battery.