Ive been looking, and the only name brand alternator I can find is bosch for $200 at napa.

What is the prevailing wisdom regarding quality when it comes to stock XJ alternators?


Thanks.

 

When my alternator started going out on me, I weighed my options.

1. Reman mystery unit from a big box store (warranty)
2. Junkyard pull and keep my fingers crossed (no warranty)
3. Junkyard pull and have it rebuilt by a reputable shop (warranty).

I opted for #3 and got a larger unit out of a Durango (136amp), and had it fully rebuilt and rewound which yielded about 12 more amps out of it according to his bench test (150 roughly). 1 minute to grind the engine block a touch, and maybe 5 minutes to massage the alternator bracket to fit the larger unit.

Total cost was $25 for the junkyard alternator, $100 for the full rebuild. He said if I had any issues with it to just come back and he would diagnose and only charge me for parts on a repair. I prefer to support local businesses anyways so I went with the larger rebuilt unit. Zero issues a year later.

If you are hurting for cash, get a junkyard alternator and try and rebuild it but you would probably need a bearing press.

 

1991 stock alternator was Denso 90 amp.

 

Look on rockauto.com see what brands they offer.

 

In my previous life with my TJ Mean Green were expensive but highly rated.

 

This is the option that I did with mine a used Durango unit from the JY and had it rebuilt but had him do a custom wind on mine for a total of 160 amps from it. It handles all my lights, winch (a 9.5k), plus an inverter.


He charged me $80 to do mine here in MO.

 

I went with a reman 136a Durango unit from the parts store along with 4awg wires. No problems to speak of two years later (knock on wood).

I wish I went 160a and 1awg wires. I don't have any crazy electrical draws now but eventually I will.

 

I actually went with the Bosch, it was most expensive, but its great.

 

For me, it would have to be a brand new Bosch unit, or a quality rebuilt unit from a reputable shop.

The parts store reman units are of questionable quality, and I honestly cant trust one of those when I am 30 miles into the backcountry with no CB reception...

 

I found a brand new (not reman) ACDelco 136a ZJ alt on Amazon for less than what some of the local junkyards charge for mystery parts. That is the way to go if you can pull it off

 

Another option is to rebuild it yourself. It's not hard. ASP Wholesale is a great place to get parts.

 

Im not much interested in more output, looking for reliability.

Leaning towards the bosch but have not made a decision yet. This is more

preventive maintenance. My current alternator is still working and it looks like its the original and the engine has got 224,000 miles on it.

 

in that case, if its not broke, etc.......

your heads spinning faster than an alternator, just buy one from the jy and carry it around for "preventative maintenance"..

the possibility you'll need one then and there are the same chance the jy one will work and get you home, perhaps and then some...

 

Rebuild it. The most expensive part is going to be the rotor assembly which contain the spindle. At 200K, you're close to having to replace/rebuild it. Atleast replace the brushes.