Search yielded:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/4th-gen...r-bad-pcm.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/4th-gen...batteries.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/4th-gen...or-bypass.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...onversion.html

I'm wondering if anybody knows if the Alternator Field Wiring has changed over the years in regards to PCM control.

A little background: I have a 136 amp alternator on my dakota and it is basely enough to run the truck. I don't want to go to a custom alternator, because then I either have to carry a spare custom alternator, or crutch back to a parts store one. During Rocky Mountain Race Week 2.0 (Race Week) through ETX and Louisiana, I was talking to a diesel guy and he mentioned that a cummins comes with a 160 amp alternator and that the Snow Package trucks have a 220 amp alternator. That got some gears turning in my head.

Would it be possible to plug a Cummins 160 or 220 amp alternator into my factory PCM, make the required bracketry, and thus have plenty of charging power? And once I HolleyEFI swap, use an external regulator just the same?

My daytime charging voltage is 13.5-13.7 volts and my nighttime charging voltage is 12.9-13.1 . I have two Red Tops with a key-off battery isolator system.

My curent Electrical load is:

2x 10" Radiator Fans (15 amps)
10" Trans Cooler Fan (10 amps)
Magnafuel 4303 Fuel Pump (20 amps)
Davies-Craig Water Pump (7 amps)
Factory EFI + MSD Box (soon to be replaced by HolleyEFI with Coil on Plug) (10-15 amps)
WideBand O2 (3 amps)

That's ~70 amps basic cruising. With AC on, add 2x 8" condenser fans (15 amps) and the HVAC Dash fan (10 amps) for 95 amps. At night, add 10 amps of lighting for 105 amps.

If nothing else, I'd like to get the alternator down from ~80% load-to-run to ~65% load-to-run for the 160A unit. I think the 220A would be overkill.

I would assume that Dodge hasn't changed anything over the years. It would just be nice to know for sure.

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Late Edit:

Playing with a couple variables on the web, I've found some wild inconsistencies. It looks like I could have a direct bolt-in 160 amp upgrade from a durango, but they are few and far between in parts stores (and not even an option for the same engine in a Dakota or Ram), whereas the 160 amp Cummins alternator is easily found on a shelf.

I currently have the NipponDenso R111160A Alternator

2001 Ram with 5.9 Gas was 117 amp std, 136 amp opt (136: R110113A )
2001 Ram with V10 was 117 std, 136 opt (136: R111160A )
2001 Ram with 5.9 Diesel was 136 amp std, no other option (136: R111125A)

2008 Ram with 5.9 Diesel was 136 amp std, no other option (136: R110215A)
2008 Ram with 6.7 Diesel was 160 amp std, 220 amp opt (160: R110341A , 220: R110342A )

2018 Ram with 6.7 Diesel was 180 amp std, 220 opt, dual alternator opt (180 either: R110390A , 220 Primary: R110342A , 220 Secondary: R112122A )

2001 Dakota with 5.9 Gas was 117 amp std, 136 amp opt (136: R111160A )
2001 Durango with 5.9 Gas was 136 amp std, 160 amp opt (136: R111163A , 160: R111164A )

 

Rams, Daks, and Durangos, that came with the 3.9, 5.2, or 5.9 engines, likely use the exact same alternator mounting, and wiring... Not sure about the V-10, though mine looks a LOT like the one in my 96 5.9 did......