New Alternator

[rfgale]

Good Morning Gang!

I need to replace the alternator in my '02 4.8l Silverado, is there any benefit to replacing it with the higher amp version? Can they just be swapped, or is their more involved? Thanks for the help!

[Wingnut]

Only reason I can think of to upgrade would be if you have a couple thousand watts worth of stereo cranking in there, or you plan on installing some other high-drain electrical device on/in your truck.

 

Unless the upgraded alternator is the same price...Then I would always opt for the Tim Allen model.

[budhayes3]

I bought an 03 145 amp alternator on ebay from a company called G&R Auto, it bolted right in but I had to install a longer belt, part# 12576451. I got the alternator for $100 shipped. My reason for replacing the alternator was because I upgraded my 99 PCM to an 02 PCM, and I needed the newer alternator to stop the battery light from flashing (also had to run a wire from the alternator to pin 52 of the red connector of the PCM). I'm also going to be installing electric fans and a larger radiator so I could definitely use the extra amperage.

 

But like Wingnut said, if your not planning on any mods that would require the extra amps, the "larger" alternator wouldn't be necessary.