Sub'd. Great idea and thanks in advance since I will be doing some similar upgrades in the future.


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Credentials. :cheers:

Which alternator are you going with?

 

I am having one custom made. Until I know it fits and is 100% bolt in ready to go I wont share the info :lol: .


As far as credentials, if your refering to what I have I will be happy to share. I have been installing car audio for the past 14 years on and off. I have judged at car audio shows (mainly in the sound quality relm). I also use to build full car wiring harnesses and partial motor swap harnesses for numerous situations. What I really used to be into was subwoofer box building, but nobody wanted to spend the money on a real box when you could get a 50$ one at best buy. I have taken a few college courses in electrical, done residential wiring for 5 years, and worked for numerous auto shops as the "go to guy" to fix impossible to figure out electrical issues.

My biggest claim to fame was submitting a wiring and routing diagram to Triumph motorcycles after having the rear brake light short out on me on my rocket 3. I gave a list of what caused it, how to reroute the cable to prevent it, and a how to diagnose the problem (if I explained how asinine it was to troubleshoot a simple rear brake light problem your head would spin). They ended up using my information, did a production change, and sent me a bunch of free stuff with a thank you letter (After all it did prevent me from riding my brand new bike for a couple days lol).

 

Sweet! I really enjoy designing electrical systems for mobile applications... fun stuff.
I know what you mean about writing MPP's; I was an Electrical Systems Design Engineer for many years. Breaking instructions down to where a twelve year old can understand them is a PITA, but that's how they have to be written. Turns a one-page document into 30... :lol:
Anxious to see your work. Take lotsa' photos! :cheers:

 

One thing Toyota doesn't indicate in their electrical schematics is wire gauge.

 

The smallest freaking wire they can possibly find that won't fry or break until the warranty is up.

The ground from the negative battery cable to the fender on my FJ just broke. I also had that happen on my '90 pickup and my '90 4Runner. I had a tail light go out on the pickup and I couldn't believe the tiny wire size they used. It had broken also. I guess from vibration. I also had a couple of other wires break on the pickup over the years that had to be replaced.

 

FYI Just talked to Mean Green last week... :mecry:

Mean Green,
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. There are more than one of us who would be interested in an alternator for our vehicle. Apparently the 2010 Models are different from the 2012 fit wise. Do you make an alternator that will fit the 2012 Model..? Also do you make a cabling kit or have recommendations for such. I understand it is normal to upgrade the cabling when using a High Output alternator. Thanks, Q

The new FJ unit is in the works. As far as cabling, the stock is good but if used at 200 amps or max. you may need to upgrade. Thanks, Jerry

 

Lots of HOT Models!!

I would say that most will be happy with the Clifford the Big Red dog approach- That is lots of pics and simple instructions. Ive done a few that helped out some but entertained many. I'm a goof and have fun with it.

Looking forward to the write up.

Never knew the 2012 had a different set up than the 2010. thought they were the same exact motor. Learn something new everyday

 

Good stuff! Here is a high amp alt I've considered when I finally tackle this project;

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/high-output-alternators.html?make=Toyota&model=FJ+Cruiser&year=2008&engine=4.0L+V6+1GR-FE

 

My plans were the Mean Green Alt and the Universal 1/0 Oxygen Free Copper Charge Cable Kit from DC Power. Cable Kit has options too.

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/universal-1-0-oxygen-free-copper-charge-cable-kit.html

Anyone have this setup..? :lookaround:

 

If I was you I would get all the info on one page and one post- To do this type it out on your computer using links from Photobucket (for pictures) and then copy paste it.

This will allow you to get it done right the first time and all in one post or two if you have lots of photos. Plan it out so the thread can be all yours without interruptions by posters before you have the chance to get it all on the first page or first couple posts.. Know the max pictures and characters per post in a thread and have a plan..

Cant wait to see your contribution.. Thanks

 

Max pictures is 25 I know this all too well

That includes the smiley folks too

 

Yea, use Photobucket from what I've seen when the photos are deleted or moved all we see is a broken link photo. Sarcasm intended.

 

That is because people close there accounts or erase their pictures or use pictures that aren't theirs.. I have three Photobucket accounts and have never lost a photo.

If you see a broken link from photobucket its because the person who created it closed it no one else..

 

Subscribed! :bigthumb:

 

That or they deleted a photo which then throws the order out the window for all links- Its really a stupid arrangement they have. Photobucket assigns each photo its own direct link but if you erase one photo- the entire library of photos is screwed? Stupid.

 

That is good to know!!

 

G'day,
Looking forward to seeing what you do.
Subscribed.
Cheers
Baz

 

Interesting...maybe you could sell some of that juice back to the grid to make up for the 15MPH you get while moving!

 

Lots of pictures and dumb down the instructions for us electrically challenged folks. This is a mod that I will be doing as soon as an alt for 2012 is found.

 

A question for all you electrical gurus, does upgrading the alternator amperage result in more wattage availble for the factory inverter(110v)

 

No. The inverter itself determines the wattage. If you want more wattage you will need to upgrade the inverter and the wires feeding it.

 

Alright... Well I got my alternator, and the bolt holes don't line up properly. I don't know if the 07 to 09 have a different alt and thats what was sent, but I was assured it would fit. I am looking into that right now.

This monday night I will still go ahead with upgrading the big 3 wires (alt to batt, batt to frame/body, batt to engine). I already installed my big new oddessy 2150 equivelent, and thats working good. I will do a write up on all of that since swapping the alternator is a couple bolts and removing a belt away from being done anyway.

 

Bummer on the Alt. I have read that the 10-up bolt pattern was different.

 

I posted a thread for verification, hopefully someone will chime in soon. I emailed mean green (not who I bought from) and they said they are working on a HO alt that would fit my truck and implied that they are different. If I have to swap brackets, or something else to run my alt I will. If the connector hookup is different and its incompatible that way too (I never checked) that will be a deal killer too.

Overall I am excited to do a write up. I hope you guys will get some use out of it...

 

Any progress on the Alt? How about taking the internals from the new H/O unit and installing them in the factory housing?

 

subscribed

 

Interested on the Alt. as well. Whats the OEM Alt output? I read the jell batteries can be over charged when using a bench charger. Any worries about the upgraded FJ system being too much for a jell cell? Asking cause I don't know, not trying to be a smart asx. I'm running several mods and a winch, on the factory battery. I cant wait to see what you come up with.

 

Update: Its going to be a bit more time due to alternator fit issues. Thats ok though because that is only a small part of the swap. I have upgraded the battery to frame, battery to body grounds. In a few days I will upgrade the battery to engine ground and the alt to battery power wire. I will post pics to give you guys a idea what your looking at. For the time being I wont have a alternator since a properly fitting one has been delayed. I have been tied up swapping suspension and other parts.

Interested on the Alt. as well. Whats the OEM Alt output? I read the jell batteries can be over charged when using a bench charger. Any worries about the upgraded FJ system being too much for a jell cell? Asking cause I don't know, not trying to be a smart asx. I'm running several mods and a winch, on the factory battery. I cant wait to see what you come up with.

Alternators only output the power that is demanded of them. Which means that running a alt with a higer output capability doesn't mean it will overcharge anything. If your battery is nearly drained however you could charge the battery with enough current that the battery couldn't handle it, but I wouldn't worry about that unless you were running a stock battery and a 300 amp alt.

 

Looking forward to seeing your write up on the Big 3 Upgrade! I am looking to do the same upgrade. Any hints, photos, or tricks that you learned??

 

Its really straight forward! Probably one of the easier ones I have done. The main battery ground to frame is a easy few feet. The battery to body is a real short 6 inch run. The other battery to alt and to engine are pretty easy as well. I will hopefully get pics up on my next day off. I used all stinger 0ga cable and soldered/crimped ends, with heat shink. No question about current transfer!