Generator Or Alternator On 58 Cj5

Been a while but I am back to building the Jeep. My Jeep came without an alternator or a generator. Is there a way for me to tell whether it came with a generator or alternator. I am leaning to installing an alternator (12-volt). I am trying hard to keep the equipment as close to stock as possible for now.

 

Nothing wrong with a generator set-up. Others will differ but I like them.

 

Willys changed to a 12v system beginning in 1957, but alternators didn't come along until around '63/'64. You can install a generator to keep your Jeep completely stock, of upgrade to an alternator.
-Donny

 

Thanks for the information.

 

so a 12 V Generator is where I will be spending time and my money.

 

Be sure you get matching (electrical) gen and reg. A reg may over work a low output gen so know what you are buying.

 

Man I have so much to learn still. I am super glad this forum is here. Definitely gonna send some money to support this resource.

 

I gotta find one now. That seems to be the tricky part it seems.

 

They are spendy but you can find alternators built into a genset housing.

 

Watch the pulley groove with the water-pump. some wide and some narrow. Need to get matching pulley groove width.

 

Mark
You might call Genstar electric in Glendale if you have issues or find something that needs repair or advice. He has been there for a very long time and can match your voltage regulator to your generator. He may have something on the shelf. The guy is impressive, knowledgeable about the old stuff and reasonably priced. Good luck.

 

I have a generator off a jump starter that was on a wrecker for starting wet motors, it had two generators on it with a Briggs and Stratton motor, they quit using them when computers were put in cars. You can have it for shipping if it will help you out. I put it on my Jeep, but it had to be running fast to work, so I put the right one on my Jeep, then took it off and put a GM one wire on it. You might find someone to re-wire it for your needs? Good Luck.

 

If you know how fast it has to spin, you can likely get a pulley that keeps it in the useful RPM range.

Keep in mind that a large load genset might rob serious power from the engine and might cause belt slip depending on other factors.

The original units output very little power but it was enough for what the Jeeps needed.

 

Oh this is good local knowledge. I had no idea. Thanks for the tip. Just checked by box of parts and not Generator or Alternator but there are the brackets for a generator.

 

Wow what an amazing offer. Let me know what you need for shipping. There is probably a way on here to do a private message but I'm not sure.

 

More good info here. I will only have electrical for the original equipment. No radio or other.

 

I had a generator. I didn't understand how it worked, and it didn't work very well. I went to an alternator that works. I understand what it does, sort of.
I wasn't trying to stay original, I just wanted something that worked. I didn't have the foresight to save the generator for someone else (pre internet).

 

Generators are neat in that they don't require power to generate power. They are also needed to run a hylo.

That being said, they will be more $ to run over time as they are "vintage" and that generally means more $ to fix CORRECTLY.