Blazer died

Yesterday morning the car ran great and had no problems then later that day I parked it for maybe 8 hours, come back and start it to drive home and the batt. light is on and the altenator is reading a little above 9. Well I try and make it home but I get about 2 miles away and it dies. Had to call a tow truck and take me the rest of the way. So I need to replace my altenator and prob the battery wouldnt hurt. I have read other places that these altenators do exactly what mine did, seem fine then just go out in a blink of an eye. Does anyone know if there is better altenator or something that will fit my 2000 blazer LT (70,000). It would need to have the same connections and fit under the hood, I dont care if it draws a little more power just as long as it doesnt just give out randomly. Also I took a look but it was raining and dark but I only saw 3 bolts, is that all and how hard is it to change. Any batterys work better than other, I was thinking about a red top batt. but didnt know if its worth the money. Anyways thanks everyone for their imput.


Thanks
DCIV

Get a good quality alternator with a good warranty.

Don't go with a red top unless you are in a really cold area or you have a car stereo.

Well I had one of my friends who distributes and rebuilds altenators get me one. He said that ours are crap and so he built me one with what he said "better inners". He told me what it was that went out and said thats what went out 9 times out of 10 and so he put a different one in. He also told me that the only problem I should have now is that because this part isnt designed for this housing that it will have a prob getting rid of the extra heat but I should only have that prob on a very long trip or really pushing the altenator. I did go with a yellow top battery because I dont want to have to fool with a battery again for a while. I got a new belt to go with everything and I am about to go out and put it all on. If anyone has any helpful tips or anything let me know.

Thanks
DCIV

Why did you get a yellow top?

That is NOT an engine starting battery.

It had the most of everything, most cranking amps, most cold amps and yes I know I could of spent less money and gotten a battery that would of been just fine but I have read alot about gel batterys and really like what I have read. It will do just fine for what I got it for. As for the install it helps to have an extra set of hands to put a new belt on and when I got a friend to help it went on in 2 seconds but I just couldnt move do everything that I needed to do by myself and now the amp reads a little above 14 and doesnt go anywhere below it, even just sitting at a light. Also my oil pressure was up and my car ran a hair cooler(but that was most likly because it was colder today than most and the heater was on). All in all for never doing an altenator before it took me prob 45 min and I am going to have my spare altenator rebuilt and keep it in the truck incase this happens again when I am not near home.

My girlfriend's (Blazer Alternator) went bad last summer. I replaced it with one with a Gold Coil from NAPA. It cost $60 with the trade in of old part