Tube Fuel Main Front replacement 3.4

Part Number: 77251-04090

I am wanting to change the fuel filter that has not been changed in 16 or 18 years, Toyota claims it to be lifetime part but have seen pics on TW to suggest otherwise!

but in doing so its very likely i will break the front tube flare nut that connects to the filter, the dealer mechanics I have always entrusted my truck's care to for over 2 decades never saw fit to 'winterize' this fitting so it would be 'easier' to change in the future when I needed a new filter.

i am potentially getting some assistance doing this from a fellow TW 3rd gen member way out of state that has access to a lift and also has himself a late 90s 4Runner with same engine.

Just wanted to know if anyone has had to change the front fuel line from the filter, how far does it go into the compartment, any pics or where to look from the topside?

what other parts might be handy to have on hand for the replacement?
I have part #s for assorted clamps and grommets

77285-35230 - clamp
77285-35240 - clamp
77286-35020 - clamp - need 2 of these
77295-35130 - grommet

will any rubber hoses be needed or other parts that may have aged before it connects to wherever it connects to in engine compartment?

... any specific instructions from the manual you can post up here?

this is probably not a common maintenance fix for anybody in the hot & arid locations

 

cannot find another diagram for the other end of this main front line or is this all there is ?

 

The fuel filter is under the drivers side seat area under the truck. You should just need the boxed end wrench with another wrench to break it loose. Make sure the gas cap is open to release the preasure.
50,000 is a good time to replace the filter. I cut my old filter open after 50,000 and it was totally BLACK inside.
Filter is NOT lifetime.
I don’t thing you will break the line tho. It’s a nut that screws on to the filter if I remember

Have not had to replace an lines before

 

If you think there will be a problem get some penetrating oil, soak it and let it sit on there overnight

 

not 'lifetime' probably because Toyota had not intended these trucks they designed to go for more than 20+ years?

i know my '79 Corolla (bot used at 12yrs) was pretty much shot at 25yrs of age, '78 Celica (also 12yrs used) was damaged in some collision at 16yrs of age but was struggling a bit in its aged condition .... but!!! my truck is nearing that age and HFH if it does not drive and handle near excellent still

 

Well look at my filter at 50,000. Toyota made lots of errors on these these trucks.
Lower ball joints
Crappy seats
Small brakes
Lack of rust protection
Crappy leaf springs
Etc
So just have to work around them

 

my seats are not crappy lol, they saved my wretched back somewhat in my late 20s and 30s on endless travels on the road, the bench seat in my 95 pickup was hard on me
but now that a part (bushing or something) broke I cannot for the life of me get it fixed properly and that is a whole another story poor pitiful me

 

The standard seats is what I mean are horrible!

 

i had a bench seat for 2yrs, I know full well what you mean lol

had to use a makeshift neckbone pillow to support my lumbar area

 

I just recently replaced the filter on my 95 3.4L. As @1997tacomav6 said, it's along side the frame about the middle of the front door area. I am fairly new to the 3.4 (had my 2.7 longer), but I am also not aware of any other filter. Are you sure your not seeing the fuel pressure regulator on the rear end of the fuel rail? It kind of looks like it might be a filter.

To answer your question though, the front fitting for that line is by the main relay box, charcoal can area. Pretty easy to get to. It's just a regular flair fitting. No crush washer needed. I was able to get mine loose at the filter, so no need for me to replace the line.

BTW, if you are talking about the one along the frame and you think the front end is toast, are you not worried you'll also destroy the flair on the tank side of the filter?

I'll go take a few pics in 15 mins or so.

 

anyways, since the dealer I entrusted my truck to 'failed' to properly & thoroughly winterize maintain it over the decades this line is most likely going to break at the flare nut in the front of the filter (engine side), too much roadspray and weathering on it, the rear nut on the other side of the filter appears ok, probably just heavily torqued having never been removed in the 16~18yrs since it was last changed.

I honestly should front and pound them Toyota mechanics on the 'why you never put any grease or anti-seize on them there flare nuts (during regular checkups) so they could be easily wrenched in the future, you know full well what winter environment we live in here in the midwest"

 

thanks, I know where its at after standing underneath looking with the new filter in hand ready to replace but said darned better not leave myself stranded with a busted fuel line

flare nut on the tank side of the filter is not weathered, just extra torqued possibly, it may or may not be damaged upon attempted removal

good to know this fuel line will not be too much of a hassle to swap out

 

Mine is kinked a bit because this truck was wrecked when I got it and I never replaced that line. Runs fine though.

Man, you must be going to church every Sunday, because that back line would have been a lot more trouble had it been the bad one.

 

rear fuel line probably would not be too bad to replace as I am going to need to remove the whole back box off the frame at some point to clean up areas I cannot easily get to with it on!
not sure about also replacing the original rear suspension parts either while the box is off (I hear its much easier when its off!) I will be having the TW crew in St Louis give me an evaluation next month and what to do in the coming months.
I don't 'need' suspension parts yet, everything bounces back properly, but they sure have been getting taxed on the local crappy roads, interstate highways here are the worst at high speed shocks

 

Yeah, Midwest roads stink. I think the reason you here people say Lower Ball Joints usually fail at lower speeds is because the roughest roads are usually the "local" roads with speed limits under 45mph. When the front wheel drops down in a pothole is when I suspect they fail. Weight drops of momentarily, and they come apart.
When you are on smoother roads running 55-80, there are usually many fewer true potholes to give the joint a chance to free fall like that and come apart.

 

Yeah I truly believe that Toyota was not expecting at all for the Tacoma to blow up as the HUGE success that it is. They didn't design it around 25+ year service life, etc. Doesn't mean we can't get them to go further and longer, I just don't think Toyota anticipated it the public wanting to keep them going 20+ years. Many many folks love them though and they will keep these babies going 30+ years, I bet we'll end up seeing

 

I've had the same exact thoughts while reading folks accounts of when they lost an LBJ (I still see LeBron James every time I type out 'LBJ' for lower ball joints). The teenager was driving over the rail road tracks faster than he should have, etc. It seems that sudden fall out under the wheels is what does it, like a big ass pot hole like you were saying.

 

Awesome that's good to hear you gonna have some actual enthusiasts and folks that care about their tacos give yours a check up. I think that's a much better investment over any dealer inspection.

 

these sure 'feel like' high speed potholes at the posted speed limits, most all here are in serious disrepair along the heavy i80 routes through town, I must go over a dozen of these per day! no way to avoid them, they stretch across 4 lanes
I saw somebody's (in front of me a few lanes over) tire shread on one of these last weekend in the middle of 4 lane traffic

 

In case somebody has a torque wrench adapter. I just tightened mine until it felt fully seated. I had a slight drip after driving it and had to crank it harder than I wanted, but it stopped the leak. Been over a month.