How to Identify Your Ford 3G, 4G, and 6G Series Alternator

Need a High Output Alternator for Your Ford Vehicle?

Identify Your Ford Alternator Visually

History of the Ford G-Series Alternators

The first G-series was the 1G externally regulated alternator. The 2G was the second, but uses a power plug instead of battery posts and cannot be upgraded. Usually swapped to the 3G Series which is still in use and is easily upgraded. 4G series used in some applications where the 6G series would not fit. 4G used on some Crown Victoria and has very unique mounting applications. 6G series is used on many pick up trucks and diesel vehicles, as well as on some models of the Crown Victoria.

3G Series Alternator Differences

The 3G Series alternator features internal fans and voltage regulator. First G-series to have internal voltage regulator.

Click Here To Order 3G Series Alternators

12:00, m8 mounting ear, large case 3g series

Lester Nos: 7752, 7756, 7777

12:00 Mounting ear, M8 x 1.25 Thread, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1992-91) Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable 3.0L
(1992) Ford E Series Van 5.0L, 5.8L, 7.3L
(1995-90) Ford Taurus, Windstar; Lincoln; Mercury 3.8L
(1996-92) Ford E Series Van 4.9L, 7.5L
(1997-94) Ford F Series Pickup 4.9L, 7.5L

Lester Nos: 7764, 7776, 7784

V-Shaped Feet, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1992) Ford Crown Victoria Police 4.6L
(1997-94) Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, Grand Marquis 4.6L
(1997-92) Lincoln Town Car 4.6L
(1998-96) Ford Mustang 4.6L
(1999-93) Ford Crown Victoria 4.6L
(1999-98) Lincoln Navigator 5.4L
(2001-00) Ford Excursion, F Series Pickup 5.4L, 6.8L
(2002-97) Ford Expedition 4.6L, 5.4L
(2003-97) Ford F Series Pickup 4.6L, 5.4L
(2004-02) Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer 4.6L
(2008-97) Ford E Series Van 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L

Lester Nos: 7768, 7792

Side Mount, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1994-93) Ford Explorer 4.0L
(1996-93) Ford E Series Van 5.0L, 5.8L
(1997-92) Ford F Series Pickup 7.3L
(1998) Ford Contour, Mercury Mystique 2.0L
(2000-98) Mazda Pickup 4.0L w/ AT
(2001-93) Ford Explorer 4.0L
(2001-96) Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickup 4.0L w/ AT
(2003-92) Ford E Series Van 7.3L
(2003-97) Ford E Series Van 4.2L
(2004-97) Ford F Series Pickup 4.2L
(2008-06) Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickup 3.0L

Lester Nos: 7765, 7770, 7771

12:00, 10mm Mounting Ear, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1997-94) Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar 3.8L
(1998-95) Ford Windstar 3.0L
(1999-93) Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable 3.0L
(2000-94) Ford Mustang 3.8L

Lester Nos: 7778

12:00, M8 x 1.25 Threading Mounting Ear, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1990) Lincoln Town Car 5.0L
(1993) Ford Heavy Duty Truck B, F Series
(1995-93) Ford F Series Truck 7.0L

Lester Nos: 7769, 7774, 7789

10:00, 10mm Mounting Ear, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1995-94) Ford Taurus 3.0L
(1997-95) Ford Contour, Mercury Mystique 2.0L

Lester Nos: 7775

02:00, 11mm Mounting Ear, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1993-2002) Ford
(1995-2001) Mercury
(2000) Ford Contour 2.5L
(2000-2002) Mercury Cougar 2.5L

Lester Nos: 8267

V-Shaped Feet, 148mm Diameter Large Case

Used On:

(1999-2002) Lincoln Navigator 5.4L
(2002) Lincoln Blackwood 5.4L

4G Series Alternator Housings Variants

Same size diameter as the 3G, but the 4G has a black metallic cover on the rear. Uses the same plug as the 3G series alternator. We believe the 3G is the superior alternator, but the 4G series comes in several unique mounting styles which aren't compatible with 3G series alternators. The 4G series side mount looks visually similar to the 3G series Side Mount, but the mounting holes do not line up.

Click Here to Order 4G Series Large Case Alternators

Lester Nos: 7773, 7781, 8251, 8313

V-Shaped Feet, 142mm Stator Diameter Case

Used On:

(1995) Lincoln Continental 4.6L
(1999-2005) Ford Crown Victoria 4.6L
(1999-2005) Lincoln Town Car 4.6L
(1999-2005) Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6L
(2002-2004) Ford Explorer 4.6L
(2003-2004) Lincoln Aviator 4.6L
(2002-2004) Mercury Mountaineer 4.6L
(1999-2001) Ford F-150, F-250, F-250 Super Duty, F-350, F-350 Super Duty 5.4L
(2001-2002) Ford Mustang 4.6L

12:30 & 10:00, 10mm Mounting Ears, 142mm Stator Diameter Case

Lester Nos: 7780, 8269

12:30 and 10:00, 10mm Mounting Ears, 142mm Stator Diameter Case

Used On:

(1996-2005) Ford Taurus 3.0L
(1996-2005) Mercury Sable 3.0L

Lester Nos: 7786, 7787

Side Mount, 55mm Narrow Foot, 142mm Stator Diameter Case

Used On:

(1996-1998) Ford Windstar 3.8L
(1996-1999) Ford Taurus 3.4L
(1997-2004) Ford Explorer 4.0L
(1996-2001) Ford Explorer 5.0L
(1998-2004) Mercury Mountaineer 4.0L
(1997-2001) Mercury Mountaineer 5.0L

Lester Nos: 8403, 8442, 8474

Side Mount, 75mm Wide Foot, 142mm Stator Diameter Case

Used On:

(2005-2007) Ford
(2005-2006) Mazda
(2005-2007) Mercury

6G Series Alternator Case and Mounting Styles

This series is very similar to the 3G series that came before. The stator is the same, but the rotor, housings, rectifier, and regulator are different. Computer controlled voltage regulators were also more common in this style of charging system than in the previous generations. The 6G series alternator came in both large and small case versions. The mounting styles are largely the same as the previous generations, though there are several mounting configurations which are only available in the small case size.