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LEB 3G Swap

LEB Ben

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I did the LEB 3G swap in my Bronco over the weekend. There really isn't a whole lot of complexity with this swap. First thing you need is an alternator, I snagged a half dozen from a JY for $10/ea (you can buy new if you want). I brought them all to a box store to be tested, 2 ended up working, one 95 amp and one 130 amp. The 130 amp was from an 8.25" unit from a 95 Mustang with 3.8. I contacted LEB a few weeks ago, and they sent me this harness with instructions a couple days later:

image196.jpg

image198.jpg


On to the fun stuff...

1) Remove old alternator:
image203.jpg


2) Swap Pulleys:
image204.jpg


3) When swapping pulleys, some 3g's have a spacer behind the serp pulleys. You'll want to reuse this spacer to retain clearance with the v-belt pulley. If the serp pulley has the spacer molded in, like mine did...you can use a washer with a 5/8" ID and no bigger than 1.5" OD behind the v-belt.

Riding on ribs-
image205.jpg


Spacer/washer for clearance-
image206.jpg


4) Plug in LEB harness.
image208.jpg


5) Install your 3g alternator back onto the brackets. You'll need to cut down your alt-to-block spacer (I hadn't done that yet in these pics). Also worth noting, some alternators have a threaded lower mount, some don't...and it's smooth. Mine wasn't threaded, so I got a 3/8"-16x1.5" bolt and nut. LEB supplied a bolt for a threaded lower since I didn't look when I ordered, Kris offered to send me the one I needed, but it was my mistake.
image207.jpg

image209.jpg


6) Mount mega fuse. Since one end was already plugged in to the alt, I went ahead and bolted the opposite end to the starter solenoid and saw where the fuse fell naturally. Then screwed it in to the inner fender with the self tappers LEB provided.
image210.jpg


7) The last piece of the puzzle was splicing in to the voltage regulator. This was probably the toughest part because I crushed two butt connectors, and didn't get a good connection with the connector pictured. Don't worry, I just ran out of time, I soldered/shrinked the next day.
image223.jpg



image224.jpg



Ultimately...this conversion is stupid easy. The only other thing to do besides what's pictured is clean up all the old wires.
 
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LEB Ben

Arrogant A-hole At-Large
34,919
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Forgot the technical forum required mod approval for posts and replies...so posting here as well.
 

Fellro

Moderator
Staff member
I requested LEB do a write up on the rest of the details, so that seems like a good place to park it when they get a chance.
 

bucks77ford

We will Rise Again
Nice post. I'm thinking about doing this to my 75. I already have a 1 wire 130 amp alt in my 77 which eliminated the external voltage regulator, but I do note that on the 1 wire alt that I have at lower RPMs the alt doesn't charge as much and needs a certain RPM to max charge (according to my volt meter). I don't know if thats the difference between having an external or internal voltage regulator.
 
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LEB Ben

Arrogant A-hole At-Large
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outside your house
Did I see a post on facebook about this alternator going out pretty much immediately?

Ryan

Yeah you did. I snagged 6 3g's from the JY for $12/ea. Had them all tested, only 1 130 amp and 1 95 amp checked out. I swapped the 130 in...was toast in 3 days...guess that's what happens when you use a 20 year old alt. Bought a new one...now I'm good to go.
 

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