Mike, some of it depends on whether or not you have A/C in your truck. I simply cannot get to the alt. on every one I've done without moving the A/C compressor out of the way.

Important: DO NOT DISCONNECT ANY A/C LINES!

I will assume you know how to get the a/c belt off - straighforward loosening of the pivot points and the tensioner slide bolt. You are going to need to unbolt the compressor from its bracket and carefully move it, with its lines attached, to the driver's side of the engine compartment, trying to keep those lines from bending too much. Secure the compressor so it doesn't slip back into your way. Heck, use a shoestring if you have to. Then, remove the compressor's bracket from the engine. There are several bolts, and a couple of them are hiding under the edges of the bracket where you can't see them. Those same bolts are also different lengths, so use a scrap piece of cardboard to poke them through so it makes sense to you where they will go when you put them back.

Disconnect the wires from the back of the alternator - pretty straight forward. Here's where you will find out if you remembered to disconnect the negative battery terminal first. (Sparks are fun, especially when you are about a foot away from the fuel pump and carb...) To loosen the belt, you have to loosen the lock nut on the tensioner for that belt (on the front of the alternator - area, loosen the pivot point's bolt (held captive on one end, there is a nut on the rear of the alternator somewhere, and as I recall, it's a long hex nut that's easy to find with your hand) then dial out the tension, remove the belt and continue to undo those bolts you've loosened to free the unit. Details may include leaving the wiring on until you have the unit loose, but you get the idea.

That's the only way I have been able to do it on the 2.6 engine. After you do it five or six times you really get a system going. The alternators I have used have all been Autolite, for whatever reason, but they do come with a lifetime warranty and I haven't had one fail yet. They need to come off for other reasons sometimes and that's why I've done this one so many times.

Hope that helps. Welcome to the Wire!

Oh, no special tools, as I recall.

I can do it in about two hours, I think.

John B.