Our alternator looks like the original and that means 160k miles on it so far. How long can it last? What is the factory amp output?

Are there any other vehicles which alternators can be swapped from for an upgraded system? Direct bolt on is preferred.

 

I've had my 1988 B2200 since 1994, has 239K on it now. Mine still has the factory alternator and factory starter.

 

well technically speaking most alternators can go years or decades without failing as long as the charging system get a well maintain battery.

There are many Auto electrical shops that can rewind a factory alternator for greater output. You just may need to contact them direct if they are not showing one for your Mazda. They also may have a conversion for a different higher output alternator that will work in place of the OEM?

 

I just changed mine. finally went out 30 years later, 284,000 miles. Nothing like OEM

 

It served you (and any previous owners) well. What will your replacement unit be?

239K so far on my own factory alternator and starter on my 1988, I haven't given thought whether I'd go for Autozone/O'Reilly lifetime warrantied part, genuine Mazda, or Rock Auto....

My 1998 Frontier has had a remanufactured CarQuest starter (not lifetime) since about 2005, and it does have a lifetime O'reilly alternator in it for the past decade or so.

 

Another option is to take your factory Mazda alt. into an auto electric business and have them rebuild it.......it will probably be better than any replacement that you can buy, barring another factory unit.

 

My B2200 is my only vehicle, so I needed to replace it asap. I got an O’Reiley alternator, which has been okay. It would have been great to have the time to have the time to get one rebuilt as MeB2000 suggested.
I also recently changed my Starter. I got a Pure Energy from rockauto and that has been excellent. I believe they also remanufacture alternators as well.

 

You could always just get that particular alternator rebuilt by someone. If you do want to swap it from another vehicle the Ford 3.8 V6 or the '95 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, have the same alternator. Just a bracket hole would have to be drilled out and the stock alternator wiring would have to be altered.

If I recall correctly, there might a thread of the full swap on Streetsource.

 

Well the issue of "which alternator" has resolved itself for me.

The other day when 90F I noticed that my AC wasn't working properly (and only 2 more months until summer); the LED light I'd added parallel to the compressor wire was lit on the dashboard, but didn't seem as bright as it had been. So once the AC started blowing warm, I pulled over and the AC clutch was not engaged, even though it was getting voltage. I tapped on the compressor drive plate (carefully) with my softball bat, and the AC clutch pulled in. Once I got home, I measured 11 volts across the battery terminals with engine running, but my charging warning light had not come on, so I knew alternator wasn't charging. I did a cranking load test, as voltage across the battery was under 5 volts (needs to be 9.6 volts or greater). A month ago I had my battery checked by both O'Reilly and Autozone across the street from each other, same day, and one told me battery was OK and the other said battery bad. So I was off to Walmart to trade in my 2-year old Everlast Maxx battery, which was 2 years old and a warranty replacement, so I got pro-rated $60 off on the brand-new battery.

After installing the battery, the alternator still wasn't charging, and still no warning light; so I figured it was time to replace the 35-year-old factory alternator. I took the old alternator to O'reilly for testing, tested bad. I'd had good luck with O'Reilly lifetime alternator in my '98 Frontier, so I ordered one in for my B2200. That arrived a day later (today), and I installed it and now everything is working, including the charge light and voltage across the battery or in my lighter socket with engine running is about 14 volts. So I'm not expecting any more non-cranking situations.