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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......

 

I would think that too, but the PNs being different surprises me.

I did find an article that explains alternator fields better. All the PCM or external regulator really does is PWM the field to maintain a specific current, which then regulates the output voltage. The external regulator just makes a PWM signal (that can handle the 8 amps of current) that is variable based on system voltage. From there, it's just a matter of mounting and having the right pigtail.

 

Maybe different part numbers by alternator output? If the case is clocked slightly differently, that'll be a different part number as well, but, I would think that they would all mount the same, given they use pretty much the same bracket on the engine.....

 

I would think so too. Makes me wonder if the different engine harnesses had different field connectors or something. The output post should all be the same.

The 2001 Ram V10 and 2001 Dakota are the same, but the 2001 Ram gas is different, and the 2001 Durango is also different. But the 5.9 gas accessory bracket and engine in general are the same as the V10, so the Ram harness must be different for some reason....despite all 136A alternators.

 

So following up on this since I did some poking while looking at Starter stuff.

The Cummins 220 is the best option for my situation, if I could make it fit. The Durango 160 is next best option. What I have is third - and I'm borderline running it at 100% of what the rectifier/regulator is rated for. Either Denso is under-rating the diodes or over-rating the alternators using the diodes' "PEAK" rating intended for momentary bursts.

Denso only rates their own regulator for 100 amps, for the 117/136 amp alternators (Eight 50-amp Diodes = 100 amp limit)
R111160A 136 amp alternator on my truck now is Lester #13911.
ASP #INR739 , Denso #021580-4850
https://www.aspwholesale.com/rectifi...00-4451&page=2
Fits Lester: 11192, 13502, 13519, 13525, 13548, 13835, 13899, 13906, 13910, 13911, 13926
11192: 130 amps for Hyundai
13502: 90 amps for Toyota
13519: 100 amps for Volvo
13525: 90 amps for Toyota
13548: 100 amps for Volvo
13835: 105 amps for Acura
13899: 136 amps for Dodge
13906: 117 amps for Dodge
13910: 117 amps for Dodge
13911: 136 amps for Dodge
13926: 100 amps for Jaguar

The Durango 160 Amp alternator is rated 136 amps (twelve 40-amp diodes = 120 amp limit)
Alternator is Denso #421000-0051 , Lester #13915
Regulator is ASP #INR420, Denso #021580-5911 or #021580-5931
https://www.aspwholesale.com/rectifi...00-0051&page=2
Fits Lester 11039, 11048, 11574, 13867, 13914, 13915, 13923
11039: 130 amps for Dodge
11048: 160 amps for Dodge
11574: 160 amps for Dodge
13867: 136 amps for Chrysler
13914: 136 amps for Dodge
13915: 160 amps for Dodge
13923: 130 amps for Dodge

The 2018 6.7 CTD 180 Amp (R110390A) crosses as a Lester 11443
Made by Mitsubishi, limited parts available

The 2018 6.7 CTD 220 Amp Primary (R110342A) crosses as Lester 11379.
Rectifier is ASP #INR440 , Denso #3018, 785
Denso 180A 12V IR/IF Alternator (Twelve 50-Amp diodes = 200 amp limit)
https://www.aspwholesale.com/rectifi...06.7L%20408cid
Fits Lester: 11328, 11379, 11405, 11406, 11434, 11496, 11511, 11532, 11534, 11620, 11624, 11627, 11630, 11712, 11791, 14204

The 2018 6.7 CTD 220 Amp Secondary (R112122A) crosses as Lester 11755.
Limited parts available