^^ this.

I found it's easiest to disconnect everything laying under the jeep. Remove the battery and battery tray, and bring it UP through the engine bay. It'll be a pain to get past the a/c hoses but not too bad. I did mine in a parking lot at night with the jeep covered in mud when i killed mine wheeling. I'm sure you can handle it.

 

I would upgrade to the GC 136A while your at it, Your mech. friend should be able to help you, im gonna do this once its warm enough to be able to drink a beer outside.

 

What is the gc 136a upgrade? Is that like a better alternator?

 

so for the grand cherokee 136a.....is there any adjustments need to be made or is it a straight bolt on?


ultima alternator for GC:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1468&ppt=C0330

ultima alternator for XJ:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1468&ppt=C0330


so its worth the extra $50 for the GC one? my battery is 800cca and i do have a big stereo. but my biggest concern is compatibility....cause im not really confident enough right now to do any crazy mods. also....is there a specific year GC i should ask for?

at the local pick-n-pull they have 5 GCs (3x94, 1x95, 1x96)

 

http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2004/jeepalt/

 

ok, after reading that i feel pretty confident about doing this...


i just want to double check though.....should this:

http://www.startersalternators.com/p...94_a_7cA13310N

work as a replacement?

 

Alt's easy, bolt on top, bolt on bottom. fan is designed with space to get at the top bolt from the top straight on (one fin has a little more space between it and the rest). I have found it's easiest to take that little A/C canister and battery tray out while doing it so you can pull the alt up instead of trying to wiggle it down without messing the radiator up. Go with the GC alt if you can, it's a heavier duty and should bolt right up.

 

mmm i'd just go down to your local auto parts store and get one from them so you have a core and warranty. You need a 97-98 v8 (5.2L) Grand Cherokee Alternator

 

will i run into any issues returning a 90amp XJ core for a 136a GC alternator?

 

They look the same and they probably won't notice, so you shouldn't have a problem

 

they don't know / care about the difference. A core is a core.

 

Ya, what it is, is the alternator is shorting out which causes the pulley to have more resistance, the serpentine belt begins to squeal at low rpms but as you get up to 20 mph or so the belt is able to heat up from the friction of sliding and grips and breaks the alt pulley free. just get a new one... CAKE

 

i certainly hope so...

ive owned the jeep for 3 weeks now....and ive gotten about 4 days of driving it and almost a grand in repairs.

and yesterday, while talking about money with the gf, she finally said "well youd have 4 grand more if you didnt buy that jeep....which doesnt even run"

in all honesty, im surprised it took that long for her to bring up that point....but regardless, despite the amount of money ive sunk in it already, i still like looking at it every morning while i drive away in my ford ranger

 

how tight do you run your belt ?

 

Well when i had the fan clutch and water pump replaced a week ago i think the mechanic put on a new belt, which i removed a few days ago when it was snapped in two. (before it snapped, there was very little play in the belt. it was on there tight)


so i guess i dont know what kind of tension to use...


edit: the local pick-n-pull has 94, 95, and 96 GCs. will none of those work?