Big 3 upgrade

[Ivan90]

I upgraded my big 3 (actually 6) about a year ago and finally got around to posting a couple pictures. Very easy to do. Its worked out well for me, no trouble over the past year.

I used 1/0 cable for the following:

1. + Battery to alternator

2. + Battery to starter

3. + Battery to firewall block

4. – Battery to engine ground

5. – Battery to frame ground

And I used the 4 awg cable salvaged from the original battery cable to ground the body to the frame.

Here’s what I used:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KD27ACG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073CKHWXQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073Y7P2RB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CQFWRS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q04X44/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BZD5T6R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E1UUVT0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUT9DWJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



I bought the fuse for the alternator connection but never installed it, instead I followed the most direct route from the alternator positive to the battery positive across the top of the fan shroud. I threaded the positive 1/0 cable from the battery to the starter in a piece of garden hose to give it more insulation, concerned with the engine heat on the cable, maybe overkill though.

I cut the 1/0 cable with a hacksaw, trimmed the rubber sheathing with a razor blade, hammer-crimped with a 3-lb hammer, soldered it for good measure, then used heat shrink.

Anyway, here’s some pictures.

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[Ivan90]

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[stutaeng]

So THIS (items 1-3) is the infamous "Big 3 Upgrade?" I had always wondered what this was about. I browsed forums trying a months ago to figure it out, but gave up, LOL.

Does this also apply to the 96-00 trucks?

 

[Cokeman95]

Does this also apply to the 96-00 trucks?

Yes it does.

@5vortec7 sells a quality kit in the classifieds section if you're looking for something premade instead of DIY.

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[BNielsen]

Yes it does.

@5vortec7 sells a quality kit in the classifieds section if you're looking for something premade instead of DIY.

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Can confirm quality. 100% worth the money, I need some good weather so I can get it installed.

 

[Cokeman95]

Can confirm quality. 100% worth the money, I need some good weather so I can get it installed.

You spelled garage wrong lol

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[Tim W]

This maybe a dumb question but what does it do

 

[kennythewelder]

This maybe a dumb question but what does it do

By installing larger wiring from the Alt to the battery, you improve the charging of the alt. A larger wire flows more current. It lets the battery hold its charge better under load. By adding the same size wire from the Alt case to the neg battery connection, this completes the path for current to flow into and out of the battery from the alt. The rest of the wires, improve the grounds in your truck. When running a sub amp, most people do not run a ground wire to the amp,positive wire, and ground the amp the the just a the body of the truck. This ground is running through bolts, and rubber mounts and smaller wires. I did a big 5 up grade on my 97. So 1 positive wire from the alt to the battery, with a fuse before the battery. then a ground from the alt case, to the neg on the battery. This is important for charging the battery. Then a ground from the battery to the frame, 1 more from the battery to the engine, and 1 more to the cab of the truck where the radiator over flow bottle bolts to the fire wall. My wind shield wipers speed up after the up grade. I didnt think that would happen, but a better ground does make a difference. Also when doing the up grade, you do not remove any of the OE wires, you just add to what is there already. I also noticed that my amp doesnt clip out as easy as it did before. I did my upgrade, not long before I did my electric fan install. Without the big 3 (or big 5 in my case) the alt and battery would have a hard time keeping up with the electric fan up grade at idle. I made my own kit my self. My amp is a 680 watt Pioneer. I welded 2 3/8 bolts back to back to install the extra wires for the grounds. I installed the amp and sub years ago, so the positive side, I only needed to add 1 more wire and had room to do that with the upgrade I had done for the amp power wire. Here are a few pics of my set up. I did move the wire on the rad over flow bottle to the other top bolt where it doesnt show so much.

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[BNielsen]

You spelled garage wrong lol

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I wish. It's difficult to try and get the garage cleared out and keep it clear so I can work on my truck. First thing I'm going to do when I get a place of my own is put up a big enough car port and close it in so I can have a little workshop.
But until then it's wrenching in the driveway lol

 

[kennythewelder]

A few more pics. They wouldnt all fit in the other post. OK, LOL I had to sneak a few in of my lighted bow tie, and polish work on the alt, AC compressor, SST rad bracket, AC lines, ECT.

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