Alternator swap info

[CdnDenali]

Looking to upgrade/swap my 130amp alternator for a higher output unit. Cant seem to find any info. Not wanting to go aftermarket. From what I have gathered so far is, the biggest I can go is 160amp and they are found on the 2001-2006 HD's and belt replacement (bit longer belt), strait plug and play?? Any comments or advise is welcome

 

[massivespl]

Contact excessive amperage for your alternator needs. I have four 350s alts from them.they can make you whatever size you want.

 

[massivespl]

Lol just read your post about not wanting to go after market. Carry on

Edit: life time warranty on excessive amperage FYI

 

[CdnDenali]

Really no input?? Thought this was the place for GMC/Chevy info...

 

[chef choy]

Really no input?? Thought this was the place for GMC/Chevy info...

Looking at doing the same thing, you ever have any luck?

 

[2011SSVHOE]

my ssv has a factory 160amp

 

[Tonyrodz]

I swapped in a 160 amp into my 03 Tahoe a few months ago. Originally had the 130 amp. Straight plug and play. Used the same belt. No modifications needed.

 

[CdnDenali]

Are those 160amp only found on Special Service Vehicles? Thought I read somewhere, an alternator out of a HD 2500 was plug and play but with a different belt size.

 

[mals]

Are those 160amp only found on Special Service Vehicles? Thought I read somewhere, an alternator out of a HD 2500 was plug and play but with a different belt size.

My '05 Denali with a 6.0L came from the factory with a 160amp. As far as I know I have the same LQ4 engine that was installed in the HD 2500s.

 

[PG01]

My '13 has stock 160

*not that u care, just wanted u to know that......lol

 

[Tonyrodz]

Are those 160amp only found on Special Service Vehicles? Thought I read somewhere, an alternator out of a HD 2500 was plug and play but with a different belt size.

In my case I just lucked out. Went to the parts store and it was the same price as the 130 amp. Nice little upgrade, especially if you're running some extra electrical equipment.

 

[CdnDenali]

those HD's with 6L or diesel engines?

My '05 Denali with a 6.0L came from the factory with a 160amp. As far as I know I have the same LQ4 engine that was installed in the HD 2500s.

 

[mals]

those HD's with 6L or diesel engines?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking, but for the record the LQ4 is the 6.0L 8-cyl gas engine that came in the following vehicles (according to wikipedia):

LQ4 Applications (1999–2007):

Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Pickup, 3500 Pickup / GMC Sierra 2500 HD Pickup, 3500 Pickup, 1500HD Crew Cab Denali
Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL Denali
Hummer H2 SUT
GMC Yukon Denali
​

I don't know if all LQ4s came with 160amp alternators, but if you're pulling one in a salvage yard you can look for the KW1 RPO code in the glovebox.

 

[CdnDenali]

I always thought HD's only came equipped with diesel engines only, thanks for the clarification mals. So I guess any HD of the same generataion/engine will work

 

[CdnDenali]

Hey mals, I believe yours is a 2pin Alternator plug? Mine is a 4pin plug.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Are those 160amp only found on Special Service Vehicles? Thought I read somewhere, an alternator out of a HD 2500 was plug and play but with a different belt size.

My 06 Z71 has 160 on the RPO build sheet.

 

[CdnDenali]

OK figured it out, since '05 & '06 is a 2pin connector, its just figuring out which/what wire is what via the service manual/schematic. Disconnected my 4pin plug which is really a 2 wire, either make an adapter so you can go either way or remove wires from 4pin connector and put in place a 2pin connector... Now you can have a 160amp alternator equipped with a 2pin connector.

 

[SlimJim]

Did this actually work or did it through alternator into default mode at 13 volts?

QUOTE="CdnDenali, post: 1103971, member: 5757"]OK figured it out, since '05 & '06 is a 2pin connector, its just figuring out which/what wire is what via the View attachment 80510 service manual/schematic. Disconnected my 4pin plug which is really a 2 wire, either make an adapter so you can go either way or remove wires from 4pin connector and put in place a 2pin connector... Now you can have a 160amp alternator equipped with a 2pin connector.[/QUOTE]

 

[exp500]

My recommendation is stay Plug N play. No adapter harness. There are a few different ways this can be done- Correct OEM or aftermarket. Several OEM applications work reclocking, but why bother with that since correct clock is available.
The trick is figureing out Exactly what you have- Not just itsa cs130 or such. Truck config matters too- where do the wires go? And why. Lastly what are your Amp needs?