HELP W/THERMOSTAT

I recently got everything all together to change out my thermostat as typical routine maintenance. Well... after looking under the hood I noticed that my tension pulley is in the way, My tacoma is supercharged so the pulley may be routed differently then yours. Has anyone with a SC done this themselves?

Can you throw me bone and maybe give me some advice on getting it off
and making a complete mess at the same time

here is what it looks like to me when I pop the hood and look down

 

Nothing???? Nobody???

 

As a mechanic, I would say, loosen tensioner on your belt with a 3/8 long handle ratchet (counter clockwise?), mark the belt so you can reroute it the same, then remove the tensioner, with I believe is a 15mm bolt. Better have at least 1.5 gallons of toyota antifreeze on standby and drain pans and all. Its a messy job, but not really too difficult given if you have the right tools.

So you are just voluntarily replacing the thermostat? I wouldn't mess with it unless you are beginning to have issues. No car manufacturer recommends a scheduled replacement, nor have I ever replaced one unless it needed to be, even on turbo charged Porches.

 

I have done the 3.4l timing belt and water pump at 90k miles plus, and never touched the thermostat. fyi

 

Well with all that being said. Maybe my little project should go on the back burner. Then wait to see if I have an issue. Thanks for the input.

 

No problem. My motto is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just keep an eye on your temp gauge now and then, check your oil every tank of fuel and your will be golden. Just be sure to keep up on your scheduled maintenance and everything should be fine.