For the first five generations (1948-1972) the Ford F-Series Truck used a generator to keep the battery charged. External voltage regulators, usually mounted on the firewall, controlled the charging cycle of the generator. To upgrade from a generator to alternator, we recommend either a Delco type 10Si/12Si series alternator or a Ford type 3G series alternator . The A200 Universal Alternator Mounting Bracket and self-exciting voltage regulator make the generator to alternator conversion as painless and worry-free as possible.
| Ford F-Series Truck Generations with Generators | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation 1 (1948-1952) |
Generation 2 (1953-1956) |
Generation 3 (1957-1960) |
Generation 4 (1961-1966) |
Generation 5 (1967-1972) |
|||||||
| 10Si/12Si Series Alternator |
10Si/12Si Self-Exciting Alternator and Universal Bracket | ||||||||||
| 3G Series Alternator |
3G Series Self-Exciting Alternator and Universal Bracket | ||||||||||
In 1973 Ford started using their first generation of alternators. Dubbed the 1G, this alternator was externally regulated in amperages ranging from 40-65 Amps. The 1G was used on the F-Series truck until about 1992. It was later replaced by the 2G series alternator from 1986 to 1992, the 2G is not upgradeable to a higher output because of it's weak bridge rectifier and the power plug can catch on fire from the higher amperage load. The best high output upgrade for the early 1G series alternator and the 2G series alternator is the Ford type 3G series alternator
The 2G series alternator, introduced to the F-150 Series of pickups in 1986, has largely been considered the bad apple of the bunch. Ford replaced the 1G's external regulator in favor of the compact internal regulator design. The flaw was in the power output plug and a weak bridge rectifier. The plastic power plugs, used blade type terminals which would loose connection and occasionally melt, short, and possibly cause under-hood fires. For this reason we recommend replacing the 2G series alternator with the later Ford type 3G series alternator series with output battery studs instead of blade terminal plug.
The 3G series alternator , can come with a self-exciting voltage regulator which only requires the main battery wire to the back of the alternator. The standard 3G pig tail combo connection only requires one ignition wire to activate the alternator and it can work with a no charge light (idiot light) which is the perfect unit to replace the earlier 1G and 2G series. The 3G has a heavy duty battery post, so the 2G series power plug issue is completely solved. It also has a improved voltage regulator setup.
After the successes of the externally regulated 1G series and the failures of the 2G series alternator, Ford Developed the 3G series alternator . Introduced in 1992 to the F-150 line of Ford trucks, the 3G had a heavy duty bridge rectifier with a sturdy battery post. The 3G voltage regulator uses the same "D" shaped plug as the 2G, but it was further improved for the 3G series design. It has a stator signal connecting to the regulator, helpful in identifying the alternator. All of these improvements have lead to Ford still using this alternator even up until the new '09 model Ford Vans which have some switched to a new Nippondenso alternator.
In 1997, Ford started using their new 4G series alternator and 6G series alternators . The 4G series seemed to improved upon the 2G series and the 6G is engineered like the 3G . The 6G series came in a number of diameters. mountings, and regulator configurations. In 1994, Ford added a brand new engine, the 7.3L Diesel Power Stroke. Along with the F-250 and F-350 "Super-Duty" models appearing as early as 1987, this started to become it's own vehicle. In 1999 Ford actually stopped production of the F-Series F-250s and F-350s, naming them a whole new line of Super-Duty vehicles. All of the Super-Duty vehicles after 1999 with the Power Stroke Diesel now use our large case 8253M HD 6G Series Power Stroke alternator . The rest use either a standard 3G , 4G, or 6G alternator. Beginning with the 2009 models, Ford has gone with a new Nippondenso type alternator for everything but their diesel engine vehicles which can be ordered with dual small case alternators.
