My alternator started squeeling and has been getting quite embarasing.
thinking of the 3g upgrade being worth the money as eventually I will have a winch and some electronics in the truck for family comfort.
anyhow I thought about the Junk yard but figured screw it I will just buy a reman with a life time warranty.
Problem is I cant find the alt plug for it (95 mustang) supposedly napa has them, but local store cant find anything.

does anyone have any ideas what that might cost from ford or do I just hit the junk yard and find a 3gwith attached plug and all for about the price of a new harness?

I dont mind JY parts but I thought I could have a lifetime one and forget about it even though I might be $200 into it total.

so is it worth the time and money for the new setup or just go to the JY after work tomorrow and get what I need?
or just spend the $40 on a stock rebuilt and 20 minutes to change?
with an upgrade later...........to many projects not enough time.

Brian - I can't speak to the 3g upgrade but the stock until in mine gave up yesterday as well, I replaced it with another stock alt. I run a winch on mine and it seems to cope well enough for now, I've pulled around 5 + times w/the line out to over a hundred feet and it hasn't killed the truck yet, of course I don't shut it off anytime soon after I've pulled and the amp meter does show that I've drawn the battery down some. I guess the big decision is to go JY parts or not and that come down to the cost of the core for a reman 3g alt. The core charge for a stock unit is $12 so basically nothing to worry about and I usually carry a spare alt b/c it is so cheap, I'm guessing the 3g core is a lot more money and could make a big difference on the upgrade.

I pulled a 3g out of the JY and had it tested before I installed it. I got it with all the necessary wiring for about $25. I have had it on my bronco for about a year now with no problems at all! I run EFI, winch and dual batteries. It has no problem keeping up with everything. It does work pretty hard when I run the winch but it is capable of putting out 90+ amps at idle and about 130 amps reved up a little! When you look at that compared to the max of, what 60 amps at 2k rpm on a stock unit it is a no brainer. The conversion is a piece of cake and while you are at the JY you can grab another 3g and have a spare for piece of mind! As long as you get it tested I see nothing wrong with a JY unit.

well to update this, I said screw it and went for it.
yes the core is $35 for the 3g and I am way more into it than a JY but I have a lifetime warranty and can go to any auto zone no matter where I might be vs finding one in a JY to replace the "replacement" not to mention it is much easier for me to swing by AZ compared to going to the JY as I am pretty much never up in northern A town.

Got it knocked out last night, have a few details to iron out but it is working.
Used a 95 mustang (makes the truck faster)alt and picked up a 150A circuit breaker $27, and Ford harness for $22. I had all the other misc stuff.
basically about $190 into it total.

I am gonna tap the bottom pivot bolt so as to not have to use a through bolt and nut.
have to tidy up some wiring(shorten and solder/heatshrink)
I have plans to run an inverter to the rear inside 1/4 panel and have a regular 120v plug mounted there,
as well as a winch and stereo(nuthin crazy) in the future, CB and maybe some decent lighting for both outside camping as well as driving. Gonna pick me up a cheap volt guage to be able to watch it and make sure it is always working as the stock ammeter doest work anymore.

I almost went stock but the missus said just do it and be done but I am financially cut off for about a month or 2 so now it is time to finish all the little things I have started..

I did the junk yard 3G upgrade 3 months ago. Cost $25 plus the 3 hours of my time to pull it, have it tested, switch the pulley, and mount it. I just have V-belts so it squeals for 1/2 second every time I start the Bronco. I figure the squeal just tells me "The 3g is working".

I like that my headlights don't flicker when I idle or when I turn on the heater motor. I also like that I can run seat heaters, fan, radio, lights, CB, and about anything else without fear of draining the battery.

i did my 3g 2 years ago, spent $20 on the alt. and the harness with the factory ford fusible link and charge back wire from the taurus at the junk yard in about 15minutes, checked the feel and bearings at the junkyard, and i just installed it and tested on the truck as i'm a tech and have the tools at work to perform the load tests, i spent about 30 mins installing it, i also still have v-belts and with the belt i had at first it squealed, i changed to an autozone duralast cheapie belt which was softer, and i only have had to tighten it one time in 2 years, and that belt has never squealed. i have vintage air a/c, h4 headlights, and im getting ready to do my dual batteries and winch and same as jason's it puts out 90a at idle and 130a or more at rpm above 1000-1500 rpm