[JFF45]

If you don’t need vacuum for a factory rear diff lock just swap out the vacuum booster for a hydroboost so you no longer need vacuum.
Probably less expensive than swapping out the timing cover etc.

 

[JFF45]

@JFF45 wow, these hydoboosyt kits look fantastic. One of them, then I can run a regular alternator.

only question, what about the clutch?

Sorry, didn't think about the clutch, mine's auto..

I plan to run a small electric vacuum pump for my diff lock anyway.

 

[JFF45]

An electric vacuum pump is probably the easiest replacement for the alternator pump.
Reliability? Well a good quality electric pump should be reliable enough and will still work when the engine isn't running.
The downside? It's yet another thing we have to find a place for in an increasingly crowded engine bay.
Is it legal to replace the factory alternator pump with an electric one? Insurance etc?
IF I wanted a larger alternator then personally I'd go for an electric vacuum pump and I'd also wish for a hydroboost set-up for the brakes.

If it's not needed for brake booster, it could be mounted almost anywhere. For my diff lock use it would rarely run once the vac canister has been sucked to max.

 

[JFF45]

If you have onboard air you can just use 14.7 psi to push the diff lock to engage and it's the same as using vacuum to pull it engaged.

You could probably even use a few more psi to create a faster and more positive engagement.

Have you actually done this? The only info I’ve seen on converting the factory vacuum diff lock to air pressure involved machining internal parts for the actuator and that required removing the diff. Adding the expense of onboard air as well and reinforcing the vacuum lines just makes adding an electric vacuum pump a much easier choice in my view.