Alternator upgrades on a Nissan Hardbody, Pathfinder, Xterra and Frontier  with a VG30 or VG33

updated 12/12/2021

The Nissan Quest alternators put out more amps than the hardbody, frontier, xterra and pathfinder. There is 3 generations of Quests and all use 110-145 AMP versions. The w/d21 only has a 70amp. The big difference is the pulleys and mounting bolts/brackets. The v42 alternator from the 3rd generation Quest (v42) and is the biggest alt available and should fit wit the correct bracket. Its a different mounting style of all the 4 styles used. Here is the 4 basic shapes and specs on each. Click for a larger picture.

VG3x based vehicles (Only trucks, wagons and vans noted)  

87-97 - d21 = Hardbody - 70 amp
87-95 - wd21 = Pathfinder - 70 amp
93-98 - V40 = Quest and Mercury Villager - 110 amp
99-03 - V41 = Quest and Mercury Villager  - 120 amp 
96-00 - R50 = Pathfinder and Infiniti Qx4 as standard - 80 amp
99-04 - D22 = Frontier VG33e - 80mp
00-04 - WD22 = Xterra - VG33e - 80 amp

Some Quest facts. (Yes I own Quests)
93-98 - v40 = VG30E  = 1 sliding door made in TN = Mitsubishi 110 amp 
99-03 - v41 = VG33E = 2 sliding doors made in TN = Mitsubishi 125 amp
04-10 - v42 = VQ35DE = 2 sliding doors made in Canton MS = Valeo 130 is actually a 145 amp

93-2002 vg3x bracket part number 11715-0B000

98-2004 vg33 bracket part number 11715-4S100

Different upgrade options:

1. To fit a V40/1 alt in a w/d21.

 I found 2 options to mount them.

2. To fit a V40/1 alt on the vg33 in a w/d22.

1. Just swap the pulley. The multirib pulley is different diameter.

3. To fit a V42 alt in a w/d21 or w/d22.

1. stock bracket. No spacer, stock belt and clocking bracket, no alt mods!!!. I never finished this idea. 

Here is the 3 brands and style of alts used on most Nissans from 87 - today. 3 different brands are used. Hitachi, Valeo and Mitsubishi. The same alternators are used on various FWD or RWD/4WD vehicles with different mounting locations. Some use the V groove pulley some use the Multi rib. All use the same shaft diameter so pulleys swap back and forth with only minor modifications. 

1a. To fit a V40/1 alt in a w/d21.

Parts needed:

• 23100-0B000 Alternator for 93-98  V40 The V41 99-2003 110amp or 125 Amp. $30-40 ebay or local wrecking yard. 

• Longer upper bolt.  40mm x 8mm 1.25 pitch. I get mine at Autozone.

• 11715-4S100 VG33 Bracket W/D22 $5 online Nissan dealer. You can modify this one Or make your own bracket. Or grab some from a local junk yard.

• Pulley Spacer. - free. Just cut a slice off junk multi rib pulley or use a washer. A washer is easier to get flat. I dont reccomend using spacer. modify the alt cover instead! 

• Belt Autozone 17380 slightly longer than stock 17370.  $5.79

• Original pulley from 70 amp alternator.

1. loosen both upper bolts. loosen front adjuster bolt. Loosen adjuster 6mm bolt. Remove belt.

2. Remove all bolts

3. remove 17370 belt

4. remove stock alternator.

Install steps

1. remove pulleys from both alts.

2. remove the upper housing 4 bolts on new alt.

3. sand down the ridge on alt cover. see pictures for examples.

4. install v belt pulley on bigger alt.

5. install nut.

6. I installed the alternator on the stock upper bracket, This bracket also holds the AC compressor.

7. Modify the stock bracket. Cut the bracket in half. bolt each piece on. Make a small connecter piece to connect the 2 pieces back together.

8. install new longer upper frt bolt

9. install 17380 belt and tighten.

10. tighten all other bolts.

11. enlarge the hole on eyelet or replace main feed power wire on harness. (new output bolt is bigger)

12. connect ground and plug in connector.

d21 bracket compared to V41 quest bracket. w/d22 bracket almost makes this a bolt on swap for the vg30, I had clearance issues with Steering box, so I shortened the bracket.

V40, V41 and W/D21 brackets do not work in stock form. I had to modify to fit a 17380 belt.

W/D22 (VG33) brackets do fit but need a much longer belt. The longer belt causes the alt to hit the steering box. The vg33 bracket needs to be shortened.

You can see the offsets here. D21 bracket has the opposite offset from what is needed.

I cut up the V40 bracket since it pushed the alternator way out there. It would require a LONG belt. I cut out the bent part. Then lapped the three pieces. No bending. 

Stock vg33 w/d22 bracket.

Here is the vg33 w/d22 modified bracket on a d21 with v41 alt.

I needed a spacer to clear the housing. I used the multi rib pulley. I cut off a slice. This does not work too good. Its hard to keep the pulley flat. I was getting a wobbly pulley. Dont use spacer! See step  1b instead.

1b. To fit a V40/1 alt in a w/d21. The better way.

Modify a  d22 or v40 or d21 bracket. Add a washer, smooth alt face. longer belt and longer bolt. Much better belt alignment, no rubbing on AC belt.

Remove the cover via the 4 screws. Clearance the housing sand down the big ridge so the V belt pulley fits. So much nicer fit. Very easy to remove cover and sand down. This is a stock and modified covers.

I enlarge a washer (forgot the size) and put a washer on the TOP of the pulley.

option 3. v42 VQ35DE Alternator

No machine work needed to fit the pulley. No spacer needed either. V groove pulley bolts right on. Same nut pitch as hitachi.

With the same 1" longer than stock belt I was not able to get the belt on. So I did some minor grinding to the steel bracket on the block and now the belts fits nicely. I have a d22 vg33 oil pump on this mockup motor. This is creating a clearance issue if I want to use a stock belt.

I just dont see the room needed for the adjuster to clear the steering box. So I decided what really needs to happen is the alternator needs to be clocked. This way stock belt and adjuster may work.

To the clear quest oil pump filter mount will require some extra work. Or a 17375 belt. A 17380 fits but gets close to steering box on the Mitsubishi alt.

 I never finisged the clocking bracket. But it would be a great upgrade.

11916-8J100- bolt alt/max/murano/quest
v41 adj bar 11715-0B000-

 (AWG) sizes may be determined by measuring the diameter of the conductor (the bare wire) with the insulation removed. The lower the number the bigger the wire. Choose a wire gauge by the distance and the max amperage it will be expected to carry. You can always use thicker wire (lower gauge number) than is recommended.

Ohms Law

V= Volts I-current R=Resistance

V x I = Power (Watts)

Rx I = V (Volts)

V/I=R (Resistance)

V/R=I (Amps)

I wanted a bigger alternator for all the extra lights I run at the same time. I also winch occasionally. Lights are normally rated and sold in Watts. But that is not a valid Resistance load value. For example Halogen lights use about 1/3 the current (Amps) of incandescent bulbs. For example 100Watt off road Halogen lights don't use 8 amps. 100/12= 8.3.  100watt / 12volts = Amp draw. You can not measure a light bulb with a DMM or VOM because its not accurate. The best way is to use a Amp meter.