Can someone recommend a 130 amp alt that would fit into my 2004 5.4 Lariat?

 

Doesn't your '04 Lariat already have a 130A alternator?

 

I'm not sure. The stock alt just died so I need to replace it. I thought the stock was 110 so I figured I'd upgrade to a 130.

 

I just put a New one made by Remy in my '97 5.4 . Got it from Advance Auto for around $180. It's all pretty and shiny (compared to my 15 year old OEM) and working and was in stock. I read a lot of complaints about aftermarket and especially rebuilt/remanufactured alts not lasting, so time will tell if I made the right choice. I kept my OEM one and may consider rebuilding it as a backup.
I will add that my understanding is that often when an alternator goes out, it's actually the voltage regulator that went bad. This is a replaceable part on the alternator. I was considering just changing that, but I didn't have the time to risk trying that 1st and then maybe having to get a new alternator anyway.

 

I DEFINITELY believe in rebuilding my own unless the "wound" parts are junk, which doesn't hardly ever happen. Most rebuilts are built with cheap OFFSHORE parts that will go bad in no time. Rebuild your own with HIGH quality parts (preferably AMERICAN made) and you're going to be a lot better off than almost any rebuilt. My boss (retired, when I WAS working) gave me a rebuilt from his Corvette that was 13 mo. old (just out of warrantee) when it crapped out. (he keeps beautiful care of his vehicles) and had bought a Napa rebuilt because he thought he wouldn't have any problem with them. It looked like you had just pulled it from the box! Fooled him! He bought a new and no more problem. Even places like Napa rebuild with offshore parts so it's a crap shot. Rebuild it yourself!!!

 

The stock alternator on an '04 (NB) W/5.4 is rated at 130A. They were later rated at 110A. I have read that they were actually OVERRATED at 130A and that they didn't actually change anything, just rated the later ones more realistically. I have no way to confirm that, but it sounds reasonable so I'll go with that. Hope that helps answer your question. That info came from this forum, so with the right search you should be able to find it.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone! I found one at the local dealership, but they want $300 for a new one. I was hoping to find one cheaper.

 

Have any of you bought parts from 1aauto? They have one here that is ALOT cheaper than buying one from the dealer. It has a 2 year warranty. Is this the case where it is too good to be true, or is the dealer price really inflated?
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/alternator/...07/432254/2004

 

I sure hope you are rounding up for taxes on the dealer price.

MSRP on the alternator is 284.90.
There is a core price of 75.00 and the price of the alternator from Tasca is 188.03.

Not too sure what shipping is on this, you might want to call them and confirm prior to ordering ( could add with the 2x shipping )
Have your VIN handy when you call them.

Trademotion :
2004 Ford F150 -> Electrical -> Alternator - > Alternator

BTW: The URL above, that is for the 2004 Heritage & Lightning, not the new body style 2004.

 

SSCULLY, what are you referring to here?

 

Any of the Ford dealers that sell parts online.

Tasca is a site sponsor here.

 

I recently had the 130A on my 2000 F150 go out on me. After a lot of research, i found a guy that rebuilds them locally. i took mine to him and he rebuilt it in a couple of hours on a saturday morning for $82.00 and a one year warranty.
course, doing the replacement myself, i had to buy tools - a 15mm socket and a belt tension tool, or whatever it's called - the long wrench that moves the tension pulley. and why is it so !#(*$)@ hard to find a 15mm included in a set?

 

You did understand that Scully was saying that the URL that you referred to was NOT for your truck, but the earlier F-150 (probably Heritage) ? Also, IF you can find the type of auto electric that Joethefordguy referred to, that is the way I would go. I would 1st ask, before I gave him the job, what are the brand parts sources (quality is what I'm really getting at) that he would use. MOST rebuilders use cheap offshore parts sources that are junk, because they can buy 'em CHEAP! That's why they don't last! One of the major problems is the voltage regulator, which when made by a Chinese making $5. a day with cheap components is a guaranteed FAIL! There is little way around it. If the shop that does a rebuild of your own alternator uses GOOD quality parts, you'll probably be far better off than with that BRAND NEW offshore alt.

 

I am not near my truck right now but do any of you know how many connectors there are on the stock alt?

 

Yes, I caught that from Scully's message. Thanks for the reminder though.
I'm curious though. How could you tell this was for the older version F150?