If I am only installing a new alternator and not the pulley/belt, do I still need ot remove the viscous fan and all that jazz? Looks like it would just unbolt and come out easily. Am I in for a shocker?

 

no need to do all that jazz. It is as simple as it looks. 15minutes or so

 

X2

Just make sure you know how the serp belt is routed so you can put it back on right.

 

X3

Also, I drew a diagram on both of mine on the metal next to the fan shroud showing how the belt is routed around each pulley before removing the belt. That way you'll always know incase you have some bad luck down the line and snap your belt or something.

 

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking of asking a friend to help me out by keeping the belt tight while I switch it up that was it won't drop down, get tangles, or messed up. Beer will be involved. I'm excited. The alternator replacement will give me better milage and at least 20 more horsepower right....LOL

 

Honestly probably not needed. When I did mine, I popped the belt off and it stuck to almost every pulley even without tension. Then when I had the new alternator in, just popped the belt right back on.

 

Yeah, same here. I've done a few alt swaps. Belt is not going to sneak away.

 

On different note if you are replacing with a rebuilt one from somewhere like oreillys or autozone etc., make them test it before you install it. Quality control is pretty bad on rebuilt ones. I went through I think like 5 or 6 remans all bad before ordering a new one off Amazon.

 

The big box store reman units have a higher failure rate, so keep receipt in the truck, may conk out away from home. I'm on the third one for my 97. Probably has something to do with the LandoPanda parts used by mass rebuilders, local shops usually won't buy China parts. Certainly related to Euro to King's English to American to Mandrin and back again, with computer and purchasing weasels thrown in for good measure. Part of the standard SNAFU operating system.

 

It's a rebuilt stock LR Alternator.
One more question: how tight does the belt need to be when I put it all back together. just make it "tight"?