I have found a source that can custom wind a stock XTerra Alt. to increase the output to 130 amps. It would take a stock core to send in or yours can be done if you could do without your truck for a week.

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Dave

130 amps at what RPM ?

ex.
stock alternator provides 90 amps at very high RPM (forgot the number)

and neather one of us drives at red line RPM


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That's exciting news! Please update us with contact information!

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SWXC Mem.#1- www.swxc.org
'00 4wd SE Yellow 5 spd.

Walt, I just moved from Plano to Minneapolis. The guy is in your area.

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Dave

so basicly the stock alternator suX. If I add an amp to my sound system I'll be stressing the whole electrical system huh?

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=========================
'01 Alpine Green SE
"Screw milk, got Xterra?"

You need to talk to Joel at Best America, he is helping me design my system. I spoke to him last week and he told me that the only upgraded alternator for the X was so large that I would have to remove my air conditioner!
I had a 700 watt amp that did not stress my electrical system at all, even when playing for hours at competitions. Now I have over 10,000 watts of amps, so he has made me two gel cells and I have eight farad caps. He told me that a normal alternator upgrade will not give you that much more power and wasn't worth the money.
I am not sure if he was correct or not, but he does all the national champion spl cars.

****edit******
Do not buy from them their stuff blew after 5 minutes and they won't warranty their product.
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[This message has been edited by traceyragsdale (edited 07-11-2001).]

Wow, this is good news... Options!

Yes, the stock alternator in ANY vehicle sucks. It's meant to cover basically any installed option, perhaps all on at once - and that's about it.

Add lights, a sound system, a winch - and you could start to push the limits. A good idea for heavy use might be a yellow top Optima battery and this alternator sounds cool...

I wanted to get one for the Bug at one point, which has 11 speakers and over 400w going through it - including the 15" subwoofer.

It sucks that you have to send them a core, because no matter how you slice it, you're gonna end up with an extra alternator or no truck for a week. Blah.

Another alarming thing is the position of the alternator to begin with... If you offroad, this can be an expensive mistake.

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01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

I've been exploring the option of swapping the power steering pump and the alternator. The VG33E engine in the pre-2001 Pathy has that setup, just need to re-route a few hoses and wiring, and obtain the Pathy brackets and I think that's the bulk of it. Don't know when or if I'll actually get serious about persuing it though.

Brent

That's actually one of the best mod idea's I've heard in a long time .
If the pathy had them swapped like you say it did, I wonder why Nissan changed it for the Xterra????



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Brent,

I'm not sure of all the details you mention, but if the 2 positions are exchanged, what would keep water from going into the PS pump and killing that? I would imagine that the pump costs much more than the alternator to replace. Maybe the pump is more resistant to water damage?





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2000 Silver Ice SE 4X4 Auto
MAXC member

The power steering pump shouldn't be bothered much by water. The pump itself is sealed and the reservoir is placed above and behind the battery.
The position swap sounds like a good idea if it will work.

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This unit is a custom hand wound unit using your stock or core alternator. Ie. it uses the stock case.

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Dave

I contacted Premier Power Welder and was told that they have an alternator that will fit the Xterra. I believe it was 160 or 170 amps. Cost was about $400. For $700 you get the alternator and the welder.

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Do we hear a 200A? Going once, going twice...

Wow. 160-170 amps is no joke...

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01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

My 90 path with a VG30E Engine has the pump/alt in the same place as the Xterra, the new Pathfinder is the one that got changed.

As for changing the two around in the Xterra, I'd do it, especially if you buy a more expensive high output amp. You don't want to replace a premium alt after every water crossing.

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2000 Silver Ice V6 4x4 3pak
"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."

Well, yeah, the VG30E is the old 3-liter engine. We're talking about the VG33E.

Brent

Well, looks like Mobycat was right, though he probably wasn't thinking the cost of parts. I stopped by a dealer nearby and had 'em look up the main parts I would need, and here's what it looks like:

Pathy alternator bracket: $212 (yikes!)
Pathy power steering pump: $405

Looks like the pump has the bracket built in, so you can't swap the pump.

No thanks, I'll take my chances. Maybe one day when I have the time I'll tear things down and see if it can be done simpler, but not anytime soon.

Brent

[This message has been edited by OffroadX (edited 06-08-2001).]

What about fabricating some sort of shroud for the thing? I haven't scoped it out yet, but perhaps something out of sheet rubber or sheet metal - just enough to deflect splashes but still allow cooling air, etc. through?

I'm guessing that wrapping it in open-cell foam would probably cause it to overheat.

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01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

That's been tossed around by many, someone just needs to get off their duff and cook something up.

Brent

For what it's worth, I emailed Mean-Green (high output alternators at www.mean-green.com ) inquiring about an application for a 2000 Nissan Xterra V6.
The reply: "Soon. Thanks for the inquiry."
The website doesn't really list the current output of their alternators, probably 'cause it's model specific.
Just thought I'd pass along the info....


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[This message has been edited by xterrabull (edited 06-11-2001).]

Me too. Told 'em that Nissan placed the alternator as close to the ground as possible and 1/2 the xterras that go off road are killing 'em. And that it might be a great business prospect for them! I have not received an e-mail back.



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If their pre-sales enthusiasm is this high, I'd probably look to another source...

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01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

The last thing I would do is buy a pricey Mean Green and put it in the stock location to get nuked by water. That's a waste of money just waiting to happen.

Brent

Agreed, Brent... If you off-road a lot, it's just not worth it. For street cruisers with honkin' stereos, it's another thing.

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01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

[QUOTE]Originally posted by satrider:
[B]so basicly the stock alternator suX. If I add an amp to my sound system I'll be stressing the whole electrical system huh?

I would not want to pay $400.00 for a upgraded ALT, since I have had no power problems out of my stock unit.
Here is what I am running on the stock battery and ALT,

1 amp - 200x4 rms at 4ohms (6 1/2's, 6x9's)
1 amp - 100x2 rms at 4ohms ( 2 10s )
80w piaa fog lights
45/65w piaa head lights
80w piaa 520 series driving lights
11 strobes
1 siren with a 100w speaker
And a tail light flasher

I have turned everything on at once with on problems. When my factory battery dies I will up grade.



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Chad
2K yellow X