WyoCherokee

Looks like it was purchased In Montana...Dee Motors is in Anaconda, not far from Butte. Welcome Aboard, I look forward to seeing your wheeling trips across Germany!

1stJEEPXJ

Thanks for the welcome! Well since I'm taking the XJ off roading for thr first time this Sunday I decided that I didn't want to be "that guy" relying on everyone else's recovery gear. So I purchased a Hi-Lift rovery rope and a D-ring shackle hitch so I can have some type of recovery point from the rear.



Also one of the small plusses of being in the military is you always get your hands on cool things. I now have a 20L NATO Jerry can for extra fuel. While I was at it I was in desperate need to clean up thr clutter in the rear cargo area and was tired of hearing things slide around while driving.





I'll update Sunday evening with some pictures when I come back from the off road trip.

1stJEEPXJ

Alright so it seems my alternator is warning me about its life coming to an end. The needle will randomly at times drop to 12 volts and back up to 14.5. Checked it with the volt/ohm meter from the alternators positive post and I get no reading....0. Also if I rev the engine above 3k rpm it jumps back up and stays at 14.5 for a while until it wants to act up again later on.

Fine with me, perfect opportunity and a logical excuse to ask the wife if I can upgrade to a higher amp alternator. Seeing how I will one day have a winch and other amp hungry accessories.

Now this is my first time doing an alternator upgrade. I've done most of my research. I'm going to upgrade all my starter/battery/alternator wiring to 2 AWG and run a ANL fuse between the alternator and battery. Now onto the alternator.

Now from what I've read, a 160 amp alternator from a 2001 5.9 Durango will work with the exception of grinding down the alternator bracket. Other than that, it's all good?

If someone could just chime in and tell me if all this sounds right I'd appreciate it! First time tackling something like this so I'm hoping someone who's done it before can chime in if I've missed something.

gpXJ

I've not done the Durango alternator, but recently when I replaced mine I used the v8 ZJ alternator (136 amp). It fit fine with the expected grinding of the brackets.

1stJEEPXJ

Okay awesome. I've read that the zj and durango alternator use the same casting just the durango is rated at 160 so thanks!

Just ordered a 2 AWG set with ANL fuse holder from neal (XJwonders) and will be ordering my 160 amp alternator 5.9 durango alternator.

1stJEEPXJ

Looks like I'm not going off roading with the XJ for the first time tomorrow after all

Alternator decided it has had it and punched the clock for sure on my way home from work. Wasn't sure if I could push it through until tomorrow at least. Oh well, in the garage it goes until parts arrive. Time to get my daily beater out.

1stJEEPXJ

So on top of the 2 AWG wire set I ordered from XJwonders I just placed my order for the 5.9 160 amp alternator from rock auto. Along with two 175 amp ANL fuses and a marine style negative terminal from the electrical depot. Can't wait to get this started.

1stJEEPXJ

Parts came in the past week! I've just been way too busy at work for an update. So I replaced my alternator with a 160 amp Durango alternator. My 2 awg wire set from XJwonders came in! I'll do a write up on it later for anyone interested but for now I'll post pictures.



Size comparison between stock 100 amp alternator and 160 amp Durango alternator


Now I kept reading on a few other posts that grinding to the bracket was needed. I didn't have to grind anything on the major bracket that held the alternator. It was a tight fit but it did fit. All I had to do was cut the second bracket. I'll let the pictures explain.




Finished product. I plan on moving the third ground to the engine block going to the firewall. Just gotta find the time.



Else where in the jeep, my driver side electric seat motors went out. Coming across another XJ here is slim, the salvage yard here on base did happen to have a ZJ that had electronic seats. So I bought the whole seat rail for 2 dollars with a little modification to the seat rail I was able to make it fit. Now the wife can drive the jeep! I do eventually want to convert to a manual seat when I bring the jeep stateside. In that same 2 dollar purchase the ZJ had a weather Tech cargo liner. Decided to see if it would fit and surprisingly it looks like it belongs.

cbs_24

Do you not have the factory firewall to engine block ground installed? Just be warned that one has caused all kinds of issues for me when it wasn't secure.

guesswho

Nice photo detail on alternator install. I plan on that when mine goes out too.


I feel for your parts situation over there. We her in the states take it for granted how easy it to get the parts we want when we want it.

OmgNoWai

Love the color for sure. Great work so far. The chair force isn't so bad btw!

1stJEEPXJ

Still have the stock ground going from block to firewall. Just haven't swapped it out yet with the 2 awg. Ramstein has been a mad house since we have been getting Turkey dependants in. I'm waiting on my weekend to swap the two out.

1stJEEPXJ

I'll write up a more detailed post when I get a chance later. Man it sucks so much in that way being in the AE. I can't help it I was stationed overseas.

1stJEEPXJ

Thanks man, color has grown on me. Eghhh I mainly can't stand the softness of the airforce but it seems all branches are starting to become wussified.

1stJEEPXJ

So it's been a little over a week now since I installed everything. I've been having to DD the XJ due to the fact my wife is driving my actual DD because of a seized front caliper on her car until the new caliper arrives in the mail. As for everything electrical wise I've just done I've noticed an improvement in responsiveness, I can have high beams on and radio playing and interior lights on along with AC and notice that when the compressor kicks in no lights dim. Another improvement is fuel economy. I'm sure the thicker gauge wire and new alternator have a lot to do with helping out the spark, but the OHD reads 19.1 MPG which is the highest it's ever been.

I really want to do a tune up on the ignition system soon with the ACCEL plugs, wires, distributor kit plus the coil. Along with a new chain, sprocket, and follower from mopar but I'm trying to cut back on spending as my wife and I are planning on taking a trip in June to the states to see family and also attend a wedding. And I hope to purchase my lift kit while stateside as well.