in the process of doing the big three, but unsure of something
 

i got the battery ground out of the way about a week ago and today i did the alternator to chassis ground. i went from the alternators bracket to the chassis. this will work correctly right? since the alternators chassis is essentially it's ground right?

also, has anyone tackled a factory GM alternator before? in a 2002 trailblazer to be moree specific?

i am pretty sure they are all the same design, but i cant find a positive/red bold to run to the battery positive. the thing is mounted low and hard to get at but i followed the current battery cable and all i could find was a smallish little red plug that looks like it has 3 or so prongs on it. how the hell am i supposed to add a 1/0 ring termainal to that?

is there another terminal somewhere that i'm just not seeing? i dont plan to swap out this alternator anytime soon (it's the gm option 150amp for 4x4/tow package)

thanks and any help would be great

Yes there is a bolt on the inside bottom of the alternator that has your existing wire attched to a ring terminal. Take that bolt off slide on the bigger wire over top and leave your original wire there and bolt it back on.

The bracket that your alternator is on, is fine for grounding just make sure there is no paint or rust where you put the terminal. You can also ground it from the engine block, essentially since the alternator is one with the block.

ah so the alternator ground is good then. i might try and find a better spot to ground on the engine though.
i put my hand underneath the alternator and felt around. i found the bolt but it's gonna be a bugger to get at. i hope i dont have to take the thing off to get at it. thanks for the info!!

YEa, The gm Alternator On my olds is what is preventing me from completing my big three, I can see the positive, but its right underneath and I really dont feel like spending a whole day removing that thing for that wire, its just too much work I find, so I have the Big 2 :thumbsdow but one day i'll have to fix it so i'll make sure to upgrade that wire ! lol

You might not have to take the bolt right off Hott-nix, just loosen it enough and slide in a spade terminal in ( the ones that look like a ring terminal but are in half ) and tighten that sucker up.

And liv2ride thats fine about just having your grounds down. it will regulate your outgoing current much better then before, doing your alternator will have less resistance between the alt and battery and better current.

i'm using 1/0 welding cable and the only terminals i could find that would fit are 2/0 lugs that i got from my local TSC. i'm never going to find a 1/0 spade connector. i'll make an attempt to get at it when it's not so cold. i might take some of the brackets off and remove some hoses that are in the way and see what i can do.

i'm also a member over on trailvoy.com (trailblazer forum) i'll see if they have any better ways to get at it.
i mean if i have to take the thing off, i might as well do it right

Truer words were never spoken.....:smokin:

big three all grounds no positive.
 

When I went into 'Selective Sound' in Mississauga this summer to grab some 0/1 gauge for the big three they looked at me funny when I asked for a fuse for the alt+ to bat+ and told me the big three has nothing to do with the alternator. They explained the 'big three' is only upgrading ground cables from bat- to chassis, engine to chassis and tranny to chassis.. They are the only people who have ever told me this.. Whats up with that? What is the proper procedure for the big three?

Om My old GM, I had to remove the alternator from its bracket before i could get to the + terminal.
Not sure about Trucks, but all new GM cars are wired from alternator to Starter - to battery. And I can't find a fuse in either of those.

engine to chassis ground
battery ground
alternator to battery positive
not doing the alternator to battery kind of defeats the purpose of doing it in the first place. sure having better grounds help but your alternator to battery is the weakest link.
tranny has nothing to do with it. but for all intents and purposes, the tranny touches the engine anyway so it's already grounded. adding a second ground wont do anything.
it's a big debate as to weather you need a fuse or not. some people say you do others say you dont. i'm not going to use one