[Ramblin Fever]

Just depends on conditions, including the weather. If you're encountering a lot of cold weather starts, specially below freezing/32F, you're gonna use up what life is left soon.

Generally, in these Isuzu's, *you* don't have the choice, the truck will make that for you - as I can guarantee you, if it IS in fact a failing alternator, that Isuzu will kill it much sooner then you're wanting it too.

Most vehicles can run/thrive just fine on lower voltage and not even flinge, these Isuzu's are not that way, if they see a weakness, like the Alpha canine, they'll kill it.

In this case, there's no way we can tell you whether or not it can wait for summer; cause I will tell you now if it is a weakness in the voltage system, you may get a few more weeks if you drive very sparingly, but you'll be lucky.

Chances are no damage will occur to anything, with the exception of killing off the life of the battery - but I've replaced my alternator 3 times now, and twice the battery had to be replaced too. It seems fairly common for them both - alt/battery - to go around the same time, if they're over 5yrs, that much more likely.

Now, you will start to experience weird symptoms, i.e no heat, no defrost, sometimes no radio, if you have an automatic, transmission can start to feel like it's slipping and/or the feel of no power.

I have heard of people replacing their transmissions, thinking they were at fault, when in fact, the truck wasn't putting off the power to drive the transmission. But to actual damage caused to the tranny, I honestly believe, the truck'll kill the weak source before damage occurs.

Double check all your grounds, first, before you go further in buying parts though - specially the battery cables. I had to replace my whole battery cables and connections last year, they had completely rotted out.