Big Three Upgrade

Nesto1000 · Nov 2, 2011

Sup guys, I wanted a little info on how to do the big three upgrade. I know that the three wires that I change are the ones the go from the:
1) Alternator to ground
2) Alternator to positive
3) Negative to ground

The problem is I look under my hood and I don't know where each wire is at? When I look at the positive it goes to the bottom of the engine block?? I haven't gotten under the truck to see where it goes. Or maybe I'm just seeing things...
Also I hear of people putting extra stuff in between... so I'm not sure on what else is needed...

Anyways I wasn't sure where to put this at cuz most people do the big three upgrade for their aftermarket audio systems, but since it's in the engine area, I thought it went better in this forum...

WhiteExpress · Nov 3, 2011

The large positive you are likely seeing is for the Starter. You leave that one alone.

You should have a ~8 ga wire from your alternator to your fuse box, and a 4ga from there to the battery. Both of these need to be replaced with heavy gauge.

Then replace where ever the ground wire starts / ends. If it's not to the body, I'd add another large gauge ground to the chassis ground.

Nesto1000 · Nov 3, 2011

Well from the negative there are two wires. One going to the chassis, and another one that looks like it's a crap ground... close to the battery.

jhemi · Nov 3, 2011

i would also add a good ground to the motor as well

WhiteExpress · Nov 3, 2011

Nesto1000 said:
Well from the negative there are two wires. One going to the chassis, and another one that looks like it's a crap ground... close to the battery.

You can't have to much ground. Make em all big.

Ridgeram · Nov 4, 2011

I am new to this subject. Are the factory cables not latge enough ?
Or fail? Whats the point of replacing these cables And not just ensuring a good clean contact?

Nesto1000 · Nov 5, 2011

Ridgeram said:
I am new to this subject. Are the factory cables not latge enough ?
Or fail? Whats the point of replacing these cables And not just ensuring a good clean contact?

Well the factory cables are perfect for factory equipment....

I've added quite a bit of aftermarket audio equipment to my truck, and well I want better power flow...

Ridgeram · Nov 6, 2011

How will larger guage wire increase alt. output. Unless you have a larger output alternator?
Im just trying to justify this change? I guess a larger cable cant hurt. Especially on grnd side. But wont improve ? Will it?

quietpeen · Nov 6, 2011

Nice upgrade...you get it done yet?

Nesto1000 · Nov 6, 2011

Ridgeram said:
How will larger guage wire increase alt. output. Unless you have a larger output alternator?
Im just trying to justify this change? I guess a larger cable cant hurt. Especially on grnd side. But wont improve ? Will it?

Well it won't provide more power than it's already providing, but it'll send the power more efficiently. Some people in my shoes who have slight flickering when an aftermarket system installed, and what they can do is this upgrade and it'll be fixed. But if doesn't get fixed, then a H/O Alternator might be needed. And if you need to buy a H/O Alternator, you already have the wiring upgraded needed for it...

So it's a win win situation in my book.

quietpeen said:
Nice upgrade...you get it done yet?

No I haven't done it yet... I need to pay off quite a few things right now so I don't have money for the 1/0 Ga welders wire that I want to buy.

Ridgeram · Nov 6, 2011

Now i see! Sounds smart than. Proactive!

Big Three Upgrade

Nesto1000

Senior Member

WhiteExpress

Senior Member

Nesto1000

Senior Member

jhemi

Senior Member

WhiteExpress

Senior Member

Ridgeram

Junior Member

Nesto1000

Senior Member

Ridgeram

Junior Member

quietpeen

Senior Member

Nesto1000

Senior Member

Ridgeram

Junior Member

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