Replacement alternator options for Suburban?

Post by Pj » Wed Jul 23, 2003 10:05 pm

Looking at replacing the stock alternator with a heavy duty alternator for my suburban (1997). Any suggestions for manuf/model? I also will be installing a 2nd optima battery soon as well.

jcobb · Post by **jcobb** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 6:51 am

No help on the alternator.

But how do you like the Optima? I am thinking of going to that battery for my second battery in my vehicle, mainly because of the mounting options.

Any problems? Seem to do the job for you OK?

Jack

cfd1736 · Post by **cfd1736** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 6:58 am

I believe if you go to http://www.performanceproducts.com they have an aftermarket HD altenator.

Jcobb,
I installed an optima battery to replace the stock battery in my 1997 Chevy Blazer and I love it. I have had no problems with it. I can not put a second battery in my vehicle due to the size of the Blazer as it is the "S" series and it seems to work much better than the stock one.

jcobb · Post by **jcobb** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 7:36 am

Supposedly you can mount the Optima any way you want - sideways, upside down, etc. I was wondering if anyone had done that - it may come down to mounting it sideways in my vehicle to get it to fit.

I was wondering if you can really do that with it.

Jack

fire-medic8104 · Post by **fire-medic8104** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 9:31 am

You may look around for an alternator/starter shop. We have one down here approximately 20 miles from where we live and my fire department has never bought a new alternator since.

We had a fire truck that before we bought it someone put in a commercial 100 amp alternator. Well you can guess what happened. Dead batteries everyday. We took it to them and they converted the same alternator to put out 250 amps. Our chief just had the alternator go out on his personal truck, which is a 2002 Chevy 2500. He took it to them and now has a 160 amp alternator. We have had no trouble with them and the one on the fire truck has been there for about 4 years.

So if you can find a good shop, you will probably come out alot cheaper.

Post by Pj » Thu Jul 24, 2003 10:08 am

I have the yellow top optima and it works great. Haven't had a dead battery yet. I like to keep the AM/FM and other accessories on while out train chasing or just keeping the tunes up while doing stuff, and it hasn't failed me yet.

Post by **HumHead** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 12:14 pm

If you feel like paying the big bucks for the good stuff, check out:

http://www.wranglernw.com

Macon Sparks · Post by **Macon Sparks** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 12:49 pm

Wrangler (as above) is good and so is:

Vital MPI (Dallas, Tx)

1-800-886-8224

I have installed their alternators and they work great.

Post by Pj » Thu Jul 24, 2003 2:15 pm

Anyone know or deal with these guys? http://www.alternatorparts.com/cs130d_c ... pgrade.htm

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 3:18 pm

I have,

I had their 200 amp model in my 95 Yukon - worked flawlessly and was a drop in replacement.

I was quite happy with it.

I sold it with the truck, the stock 90 amp model was a joke.

jim · Post by **jim** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 3:48 pm

A 165A Leece NeVille with the smallest pulley will work great. If you need a bigger one, go up to 200A- they will load test at 220A and will fit most V8 gas engines. Any good fabrication shop can make the brackets. Remember- use a #2 cable from the alternator to batteries and beef up your block ground.

The yellow top Optima is a GREAT battery. They last twice as long as any other battery I've seen. If you run one below crank voltage, remove the load and the car will start in a half hour. Yes...you can mount it any way you desire, but remember, there's a overpressure vent on top of it and if for some reason it wants to vent, you may get some seepage if it's upside down.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 4:39 pm

How does the yellow top react to being used as a starting battery even though it is a deep cycle. I know some deep cycles take a beating from being used as a normal car battery.

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 5:17 pm

Go to Joe's Auto electric II in middletown CT Ask for Jon. tell him i sent you.

he is real good and i went to Vinal Tech with him

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 11:18 am

The red top battery is deep cycle rated.

The yellow top battery is a crank rated deep cycle battery that is designed specifically for engine starting and deep cycle use. They work great. They start a Powerstroke (Powerjoke) Diesel with no problem in the cold.