[Jeff03FCrew]

I have an '03 CC 4x4 with 3.3L V6.

The stock alternator squeals like a banshee, so I went nuts and bought this sweet alternator:

https://www.4x4parts.com/catalog/frontier-115-amp-alternator-p-207.html

Only when it arrived and I read the instructions did I realize that upgrading to a 115A alternator would mean also updating cables.

I don't have a lot of time to spend on making cables so I really like some terminals that I've seen where you just strip the jacket off the end of the cable, insert it into a hole and crank down on an allen nut. One terminal I've seen has a hole for 1/0 (if I overdo this also), a hole for 4 gauge and a place to bolt down a ring terminal:

Negative Battery Terminal

I think from reading other threads that I want to run the new cables in parallel with the old, since the old have all sorts of weird bits attached.

Here's what currently connects to the negative battery post:

So to run an extra cable plus the original cable to the negative battery post, I think I can just clip the connector off the end, add a ring terminal like this to the end:

Sound Quest MPR4S By Stinger Ring Terminal 4 Gauge Amplifier Power Wire Connector

Then attach the 4ga and the ring terminal to the Knukonceptz terminal above.

Now, THIS is the mess that's attached to the positive battery post:

What I sort of want is something with a hole in one end that I can run that nut and bolt through, and a ring terminal on the other end that I can insert into the Knukonceptz terminal But I haven't seen anything like that yet.

Any better ideas come to mind?

Thanks,
-Jeff

 

[Jeff03FCrew]

Hmm, maybe I could cut both of those incoming wires loose from that hunk of metal, then either cap them both off with ring terminals and screw them down to <something> or cram both of them into the 4 gauge hole in that knuconcepts terminal and use 1/0 for my upgrade cabling.

 

[Mylt1]

why do you think you need to upgrade your wires?

 

[Jeff03FCrew]

Stock alternator is 70 amps, which is just under the recommend max for 8 gauge, which is what I believe everything is now.

New alternator is 115 amps. Proper gauge for that is 5 (if anyone sells 5) or better.

-Jeff

 

[09eq]

Bat cables are big enough - starter will draw several hundred amps. Wire that is of concern is + wire from alternator to battery.

 

[Jeff03FCrew]

Well I know that folks who install stereos that draw more amps also upgrade grounds so I was going to do that as well, even though I haven't added anything yet. Once I pay shipping for some of the parts, might as well do it all.

On the alternator-to-battery cable, then, it's one of the ones connecting through that terminal to the positive post, right? And what I've read is that I'm better off to leave it there because there are sensors and crap attached, and just run and additional cable to share the load.

So thought I would want to bring both the cables that attach to that terminal, plus a new one to the post.

-Jeff

 

[ScottXGTR]

i second the idea of cutting the large metal chunk off the wires. it is just acting as a large defromed ring terminal.

at the battery, a simple brass battery terminal from walmart will suffice. you get 2 bolts for ring terminals and the option to use their clamp plate.

upgrading your "big 3" with 4 gauge is a good idea.

 

[Jeff03FCrew]

Yeah...I like that terminal, it would work well.

-Jeff

 

[TwoBills]

I don't think running a second wire in parallel to the existing wire is a good idea. Electricity will follow the path of least resistance, so the new 4 gauge wire will become the path. Better to replace the existing wire and be done with it.