on the topic of alternators - dont mean to hijack - my truck's voltmeter dropped down to 9 when i was driving, the lights slowly went dim and the radio cut out, followed by the truck barely being able to run, regardless of how much gas i gave it. after about 30 seconds of that, it died. so dead my hazards wouldnt even blink.

im assuming this is a fried alternator, does anyone disagree?

 

yeah deff sounds like a fried alternator

 

what is an easier way to change it? remove the battery and go at it through there, or from the underside?

 

I don't know about the newer one's but i know on my 91 there are 2 brackets and about 7 bolts that have to come off to remove the alternator. you have to remove the battery to get it out but some of the bolts are only accessible from the bottom. its a huge pain in the rear

 

Yes remove the battery, Then take the connections off of the alt. Remove the two bolts holding it on. Work it through and drop it out the bottom. Done!