well, driving to the gym tonight, start the truck up, lights are dim, battery is showing like under 8 on the dash gauge...battery is fairly new, 1 year old Optima Red top, never had an issue with it...which leads me to believe its the alternator. I'm going to have it tested tomm to make sure, but I need to see what my options are. I know stock ,my 2000 5.3 liter Silverado comes with a 105 amp...I'm looking to upgrade it to a 145, maybe more. I know I'll need the new belt also. My questions?

A) is having a local shop rebuild the current alternator and upgrade it to 145 a feasible option? I believe they have a 1 year warranty.

B) Are the ones from Autozone/O'Reily good quality? I don't want to replace it, then 6 months down the road I need to replace it again, I'd much rather just do it right the first time.

Thanks in advance. I must say the stocker did pretty f'ing well...305k miles, 10 years.

 

I've heard nothing but horror stories about the electronics from AutoZone, but I'm not sure about O'Reilley's as we don't have them around here. If the local shop has a good rep, that may be a feasible option...check ebay too, I got a new factory take off, 145amp alternator from a G&R Auto Parts ebay auction for $100 shipped, but that was over five years ago.

I wouldn't count out the battery either, a lot of guys around here have reported problems with their low mileage, fairly new Optima batteries

 

they should be able to test both of them at the parts store and tell me the culprit right? did you have any issues with your alternator you got off ebay?

 

Yes, but I don't always trust parts store bench tests, seems like certain parts stores always fail electrical components while others always seem to pass them, although battery testing, with the proper equipment *should* be idiot proof...should be.

I've been running the alternator that I bought off ebay for over five years now, so far, so good. Since it's an almost new factory take off and not a reman built by whoever, I'm pretty confident that it will work as long as can be expected from a factory part

 

The altima alternators from oreillys are pretty good. We use them a bunch and havent had any problems with them on gm stuff. Should be between $120 and $175 for one if my memory serves me correctly. I would also agree with your assumption that it is the alternator but would also caution that since Optima was bought by a chinese company thier batteries have not been up to the standards set by the optima batteries of 8 and 10 years ago. I have read countless stories of the new red and yellow tops going bad in under a year and in fact I had one go bad on me in about a year and a half in my trail rig.

 

IMO but OEM ones, delphi-delco.. make sure your battery screws are tight.. That will cuz the issue you are having also..

 

I've been looking to see how much OEM ones costs, and I found one for $205 & some change...is that normal for OEM costs? What part number do i need so it'll be a direct bolt in, plug n play with only requirement is the bigger belt?

is this one of them?

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...C15263859.html

 

is this the part number I should be looking for, for the 145amp
(145 amp, opt KG3)

 

The 145Amp/200Amp alternator from NAPA will fit, they're bigger, but they bolt right in. there's also a site that I've seen some pretty powerful alternators that I'll send you the link too.

 

I'm just grabbed a belt for an 05' with the 145A alternator... so far it works.