I just purchased a 2001 LT 4dr 4wd, like my last vehicle I am doing away with the old sound system.

I plan on installing a kicker zx1000.1 pushing two 15inch cvrs. The fuse rating on that amp is 100amps, and what I could find says the alternator puts out about that much.

Will I have to upgrade the alternator for everything to function properly?

Thanks

 

Yes.

I have 2 250 rms 12" subs and a 1200 watt amp and when i turn it up a good bit my lights dim and my volt gauge drops below 14.

 

Did it with my truck and with my optima battery i can have all my lights on and im right at 14 volts. The only thing that moves it is when I first turn on my tuarus 3.8 efan or when I use my winch( draws 200 amps when under load)
How To: High Output AD244 Alternator for ~$80 - S-10 Forum

 

I have to agree and disagree with this.

Where I agree is that it's ALWAYS a good idea to spend money on things like a good HO alternator so that you've always got the power to back up whatever you're doing be it stereo equipment, lights, winches, etc.

Where I disagree is that with the dimming and voltage drop. Lights can appear to dim with only a slight voltage drop. It all depends on the vehicle, the lights it has and what else is running in the vehicle at the time. Voltage drop is the key though and dropping below 14v is definitely nothing to worry about. I've seen brand new vehicles voltages drop below 14v at idle with the headlights on, fan on high and the A/C running, my '07 Silverado 2500HD I drive for work is one. They do that because the factory ground SUCKS ***. I measured the factory ground on my Venture at 166 ohms and that's rediculously high and no wonder it had light dimming issues with the super small system that was in it (only 800wrms).

If you have the money to spend on an HO alt then by all means don't hesitate, it's money well spent. However, if you're like the rest of us and buying one will take time and financial planning to acquire then what I would do FIRST is the BIG 3. Add 1/0 gauge wire from the charging post on the alternator to the battery, from a mounting bolt on the alternator to the negative of the battery and from the battery negative to the frame. Doing that will eliminate the subpar wiring and connections the factory offers and give the whole charging system a stronger back bone in the first place. Then see how bad that zx1000 drops the voltage in the truck. If you're seeing 13volts and dip into the 12's from time to time then that's no too bad but you should consider upgrading to an HO alt. If you never see it below 13v then I wouldn't worry about it any time soon, but if it gets into the 12's on a regular basis and lower then an HO alt is definitely necessary. The BIG 3 will be necessary with an HO alt anyway, so it doesn't hurt to go ahead and get a start on that front now.