Random 1st gen stuff: 130A vs. 100A Denso alternator comparison

Some of you know the drama already. I landed with a 100A alt in my truck when it was supposed to get the 130A (comes w/tow pkg), all that was not my doing. I ordered a 130A, FedEx mishandled it, beat the hell out of the box, cracked the plastic cover plate, who knows what else. RockAuto was awesome, promptly replaced. I got the swap done this weekend and I'm sharing some info that's more "interesting observations" than anything.

But before I get started, I want to also include a link to this awesome alternator thread that shows how to install a 150A Sequoia alternator, which is a direct-swap for '03-'06 Tundras, also a simple swap into the '00-'02 Tundras if you just re-pin the factory power connector from older style to newer style plug.

I'll throw some pics in w/words in between with observations. Note: the 100A is a couple inches closer in these pics, so perspective maybe weird.

First things first, a fun piece of info: The plastic cover off the 100A will fit the 130A and vice-versa although the 100A has far less stud exposed with the cover installed.

That said, here's a side-by-side of the 100A and 130A with the rear plastic covers off. Strangely, the 100A casing is somehow about 3-4mm taller (at least) in size. Notice the studs on the top, how much thread is showing. Again, I'll mention the 100A is a couple inches closer to the camera.




Two more angles of the same shot:






Finally, a couple shots of what's behind the covers (and the covers, side by side). And that's it!

 

Ooops. I lied. Here's two more pics - the 130A I installed today next to the 100A I pulled out. The pics above this post are the 100A I pulled out and the 130A FedEx damaged. Crazy the 130A looks so much bigger from these angles

 

your 100 amp is totally different looking from what my stock one looked like. my 100 amp alt was missing the third mounting ear, and it has a metal back cover.

 

Based on the pics it would seem that either should work without issue right? Even if a truck came with the 100A the 130A looks like it should still bolt right up.

 

Moar flux!

 

You showed me yours, when I get home I’ll show you mine.

 

Weird. My stock should've been a 130A but I never got to see it come out, so not sure. I'd assume your '05 would have the same as my '06. Given your stock 100A was missing a mountain ear, did your block lack the necessary mounting stud?

I mean ... I stacked the two on top of each other, took rods and ran them down through the holes on both, and they're perfectly inline so from that perspective, yes. There is a slight depth difference in the casing, less than ~5mm, but I'm assuming the pulley sits in the same position when mounted for obv reasons.

I know it's cold as hell outside for us right now, but if you had a chance to get up under the truck and confirm you have 3 mounting points (or not), maybe snap a shot of your electrical plug on the rear and/or verify if yours is ovular (@daveeasa has plug n play adaptors I think), we can try to figure it out. My general assumption is this. If the guys over in the big 3 thread are swapping in 150A squaw alts into their earlier-model trucks, and it's a direct plug-and-play for my later-model truck, I'm struggling with how my 100A or 130A pictured wouldn't just bolt right up for you. (But I'd also like to hear @empty_lord 's reply to my Q and see your pics - and EL, what's the 'twig n berries' in the pic?).

Oh - almost forgot. I took some pics while my alternator was out in case I ever wanted to go back and reference the block or whatever later. I'll slap those here, though I'm not sure if they'll be useful for anyone - including me

 

I agree.

 

Jason should have my old alternator if he hasn’t tossed it. I can try to get photos of it next time I’m there.

my sequoia looks like this.

 

Tundra 130a

sequoia 150a


I wish i’d known about a plug adapter when i had the squaw. Dunno 100% if my tundra has the 130 installed, that could be a 100, i dont know, and while i dont ‘need’ more pixies, i wouldnt hate having more pixies. But i dont think the extra mounting lug would be in the way.

 

I mention in another thread about how it's worth taking a minute to remove the passenger splash guard when making the swap. Here's why. Full, easy access to all the wires you need to get to. I'm 6'0 and 185# and had no issues to reach in and finagle wires without jacking up the vehicle and removing the tire. I actually did my whole alt swap at stock height, back on the floor. But clearly you can see the benefit of popping off the splash guard here:

 

No, I had the mounting stud. 130 bolted right in and I just had to supply a nut.

 

Replying to my own Q because curiosity got the best of me.

The phallic cock-n-balls part pictured is the timing belt tensioner.
(OEM p/n 1354050030 on my truck)

 

Too many studs, not enough holes.

 

Where's the fun in side entry? I got my hands nice and tar-black from attacking from below

 

I dunno, one thing I've learned with age is my body ain't like it used to be in my 20s. Oh, and if you take the extra 5 minutes to uninstall/move things around for easier access, you highly reduce risks of filth, frustration, banging your old ass body up. Some people may consider that fun, but I'm realistic: I'm too old for that shit.

That's the main reason I popped off my intake and zip-tied my refrigerant line back when swapping my alt. Not only do I get access to clean out my TB while I'm in there with that extra time I'm saving by not beating myself to death, but it really makes stringing the belt and getting to the PS pump/upper alt fasteners super easy. (tips for hassle-free belt routing over here)

 

From the side, then Below is the way to go

 

I need an ALT STUD 2 if anyone comes across an extra one

 

Oh shit. That's not threaded. What the hell? I swore I pulled off 3 bolts. Go figure, must've had 3s on the brain after 3 fasteners on the PS pump, 3 connectors on the alternator body?

Ugh. Good thing I didn't go try to find the part number for you.

 

So, @shifty` and I have been going round and round in private messages trying to figure out if his 130A alternator will work in my 2002. Denso doesn't list a 130A alternator for 2002.

Has anyone with an early 1st gen installed a 130A unit? It looks as though the plugs are a different shape.

 

@daveeasa I saw in the "big 3" upgrade thread that the '02 and earlier have oval plugs, '03 and later are square.

Do you make a plug and play adaptor for this?

Alternately, do you know if it's possible to just unpin the oval adapter and plug those same wires into a square adapter without modifications?

 

I repinned mine to square. I have a baggie with heaps of connectors. This was back when I shorted group 31 to alternator chassis because I was too lazy to disconnect then battery. But I recently got the 140 amp alt fuse in. Yay.

I have all the doc and connectors in a baggie in a bin at the new house. But the doc is mostly a printout from the big 3 thread. De-pin and re-pin is straightforward. Nice to have a plug on the unused position.

 

I just noticed the '02 and earlier guys also need to cut the center mounting ear off the alternator. So I guess it's not fully plug-and-play here.

I'll go back to the 'big 3' thread and see if there's any details how to un-pin the oval connector so the wires can move to their new square connector homes, and look at what the pin order is supposed to be.

OTOH, you know what the square connector part number was, if FGV wanted to order it?

 

I have spares. Corsa has them. Oval male was the only tricky one to find IIRC. Just need access to my bins (Sunday night) to provide intelligent replies. My garage is a disaster pit right now.

 

I don’t think cutting the ear is a big deal. I’d rather have 150 amps and one cut ear than 100 with no cuts

 

Totally understand, I know you have a shitload going on. Appreciate you taking the time to reply for that matter.

I've still got a spare 130A (sold) and spare 100A (under 5k miles, w/cracked cover) up above. I'm working to offload bulky stuff like that from the shop due to upcoming remodel/conversion, which will me own similar little uprooting, 20 years of knowing where everything is, and I'm forced to move it from a 14'x'11' space into a 5'x7' space somehow . I've got about 8 weeks, maybe 10 before that starts.

I've sold a handful of bikes, vintage turntables & amps, vintage guitars already, still have quite a few truck parts to go, but nothing much selling over in the 1st gen marketplace these days. Can't even give away stuff for free :lol: Hell, I can't even get half the retail price for some new, sealed Google pixel buds in the 'Marketplace - Other' forum. I guess I just have undesirable stuff!

 

I definitely have 411 on these alternator connectors. Just not a perfect memory. Wish there were a way to flag this post for follow up on Monday.

 

I'll PM you in a few. When you see the notification in your PM inbox up at the top of the forum, don't open that conversation. Maybe it'll help with a reminder.