Today replaced the napa alternator in my 1996 disco for the 4th time since 2008. Luckily the alternator has a lifetime warranty so it's just the inconvenience so long as there is a napa store nearby. Price on the dam thing up here in Calgary Canada is now 480.00 bucks at napa.

I want to get a better one and keep the napa as a backup. I see recommendations for Bosch but last time I checked they were rebuilt as well.

What do you guys recommend?

 

I recommend a used one off of e-bay.
I went thought this EXACT same thing, only it was AutoZone.
Lifetime warranty, replaced every 6 months over 2 years, finally got my money back.
Used alt lasted over 2 years and just now went bad, bought a brand new one off of e-bay, look back a few pages, I have a thread about it.

Here is the deal, there is one place that rebuilds import alt's, they sell these rebuilt under different names but they are all done in the same shop.
They only replace what is actually bad when it comes in, clean it, ship it back out.

 

Some have better luck with a local alternator shop rebuilding one, they can select replacement parts that are not made in China. Big chain store operations squeeze every nickle until the buffalo jumps. Some owners have used a 120 amp unit from a Range Rover. So you buy one from a salvage yard or dismantler, have it rebuilt if needed, and keep on shelf as a spare.

 

oops, just checked my receipts, this one today was number 5.

 

with six you get eggroll

There was a story about an old woman in Orlando that had a Mercury Comet, with 500,000 miles on it. 19 JC Penny lifetime batteries. Half a dozen lifetime mufflers from some chain, ditto for brakes. She sold the car because she was too old to drive it.