60Patrol

What does it take to convert from the stock generator to an alternator?

I don't think it takes any more than just installing the alternator. You're not changing the voltage (like 6v to 12v) so it won't affect guages or anything. I have one Patrol with the original generator, and one with an alternator and I don't remember seeing anything in the wiring that was very different. I can look a little closer, though.

I did this convertion once. The critical issue will be to align the pulley of the new alternator to the engine. Then, a little rewiring of the big white cable that goes to the generator originally, has to be done, since in a gen, output current is controlled, and in an alternator, is voltage to the rotor.   A Dodge alternator regulator is the best and simplest solution that I found, since it only has two wires to connect: one to the ignition and the other to "Field". With this regulator you don't have the possibility of controling a light in the panel, but the Patrol doesn't have one anyways. A slight problem that might show up, is when you've drained the battery a lot, and the new alternator will try to send as much current as possible. Since the current gauge in the panel is only 30 amps, the needle will go past that, and sometimes get stuck. A little tap to the meter will put the needle back no normal again.   Esteban

I just used a GM 1 wire alternator. All you do is connect the white wire, the other two you no longer need as the GM alt. is internally regulated. I used a thick piece of flat steel and bent it to make a pivot braket that I bolted to the origional pivot braket. If you slot your holes you can have some adjustent to line up the pulleys. Only drawbacks are 1) this Alternators have a little draw always, your battery will go dead after a month or two of non use. 2) Alternators need electricity to make electricity, generators do not. This means if you have a flat dead battery or no battery, you could start your engine with the handcrank if you had a generator but not with an alternator.

I just converted to a GM 3-wire, and it is very simple. 2 + wires and one -.  Attach the main (4 guage hex nut) wire to the battery +, and the red wire (wire #2) to the same hex nut. Leave the white alone, it is for the GM guage.   You'll need to setup a bracket to position it correctly, but with a good drill (or welder in my case) it's lickety split.