By me saying, "If you want to test the alternator theory then simply disconnect the battery wire from its output, start it,", that meant to disconnect the battery wire from the back of the alternator, not from the battery. You can't "start it" with the battery disconnected, so I figured I was being obvious.

 

Hey guys thanks for the ideas... BUT right now the van is 700 miles away

NOW I am trying to locate a tow dolly to bring it back for further diagnosis...

I am having trouble finding a tow dolly that will fit...

CAN SOMEONE please give me the outside dimension of the front tires, from left side to right side of the outside of the tires? My van is badged a 2500 but it has a 3500 frame on it. Again '01 2500-3500.

I find I am limited to 70 to 72 inches of space on most tow dollies.

 

U haul used to have thing on their web site where you could look up what would fit on them. If it's just a tad over don't tell them and say you are towing something else.

 

The only thing I could find in the FSM was that the frame width for all Ram Vans is the same throughout the series. So are the control arms. The front track on edumunds is 67.9in. You could deduce from this that it is 67.9 - I think

Edit: since track I think is measured from the centerline of the tires, you may be over the 72 ins. You could get five dollar temp tires and put those on the front to come into compliance.

 

Another option would be to disconnect the drive shaft and pull it on all 4 wheels.
I hope you have a heavy but peppy tow vehicle, 700 miles could get pretty tiring.
Steve

 

The overall width of a 2001 B3500 is 78.8" and the OEM tires were 9" wide. So if the tire centerlines are 67.9" then that puts the outside to outside tires measurement at 76.9" and each tire recessed about 1" into the fender. If you don't have stock width tires on, then all of these calculations go out the window.

 

thx to alloro for the detailed calculations and to others for their input...

I find I have friends in all the right places here at home on this deal, as I have been offered a 2004 dually diesel Ram 3500 pickup and a 1 year old heavy equipment hauler trailer with an 82" wide bed and a 19+ foot deck along with ramps, load binders, straps and chains... all that I need to get her back home for the price of fuel... The pickup just came back from a late summer trip to Yellowstone and back pulling a horse trailer all the way so it should be serviceable.

When I get her back this weekend, I will replace the cracked housing alternator and start from there to determine my exact electrical problem. Working from home instead of from a SP campground in FL should help a bunch. It takes the pressure off of getting it running to make the journey home.

I do plan on ordering from Rockauto.com an alternator... with NO core chg

TYC 213911 {#13911, 213910, 56029913AA, 56029913AB, 56030914AC}
w/ OE Manufacturer Denso; Amps: 136A; Pulley Type: w/ 7 Groove Pulley
for $110 delivered.


I have too much invested in this van with only about 36K miles on a Jasper reman 46RE tranny and new brakes, rotors, calipers, exhaust, rad, fan clutch, rear air bags, just to name a few things I have done to this van in the last 2 1/2 years. I hope to get at least another 2-3 years and 30-50K miles out of it towing my trailer around.

again thx for all the help and info... I will continue to post here on what I find...

 

56030914AC is on eBay for $98.37, free shipping, no tax.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151018829994

 

U Haul personnel are VERY uncooperative... I'm sure it is a liability issue for them... fortunately I did NOT need them

thx alloro for the alternator link, I ordered and you saved me $12 over Rockauto, which was much cheaper than a parts store

 

If you tow an oversized vehicle with a tow dolly they will ask you what you are towing to double check if it will fit. I gave them a different model car so i could rent it. I was towing something that was just a bit larger than the limit(width wise). If i would have told them they wouldn't have let me rent it.