Would you replace parts that still work??

2006 with 225k on the clock. Everything on the engine original I have a hunt in late Jan in a very cold area I was thinking of putting in a new battery (5 years old) and possibly alternator just to be safe. Or should I pull the alternator and just have it tested?

 

Things like battery or alternator, not so much. I'd just test the battery.

Things like a timing chain (my truck, not yours) or lower ball joints (only an issue on first gens and other models), that could fail at any time and have catastrophic results, yes, I've done those before if there was no record to prove it had been done.

 

The only time I replace parts that are still good is when they have to be removed and are cheap, for example if a vehicle needs new strut bearings and is above 100K miles, I would replace the strut as well.
In your case I would not bother replacing the alternator at this time.

 

Battery ..Yes !Test the alternator..but it may be on its last legs with your mileage

 

It's called preventative maintenance, so that's a yes for me.

The battery is worth a test. However, even if it tests good today, remember it could fail any time. Making a jump pack a good thing to have around.

You can do an adequate job testing the current alternator health with a DVM.

The key to enjoying high mileage vehicles for me is both regular inspection and DIY on the fly repairs.

 

The branch auto parts stores would most likely test the battery for you. The alternator they might not have the ability to test it still mounted.

The battery, if it’s a trustart, it’ll probably be ok, unless it’s showing signs of weakness, as in slow cranking.

If you have a jump start box, charge it up and bring it. You could also park positioned so you can roll downhill and bump start it, if you have a manual transmission.

I don’t camp or do that sort of stuff due to a few bad experiences, one involving the death of a cousin. But my understanding is to inform someone where your going, when you plan to return.

 

As said it’s called preventive maintenance. I replace my battery’s every 5 years. I do not want to wait for it to fail when I’m off in the boondocks somewhere or late for an important date. Replacing a battery every 5 years is cheap insurance. The alternator is a toss up if you should replace. 225000 miles I’d consider replacing. Heading into cold country You may want to replace coolant and radiator hoses. Again cheap insurance. Serpentine belt?? At 225000 miles I’d definitely replace that too.

 

Short answer: yes, yes I would

Long answer: yes but depends on the part. No need to wait until it fails then causes more problems which is more time and effort. For a truck with that many miles I would just replace both and have peace of mind. Dont think of it as replacing parts that still work. Just think of it as an upgrade.

 

Start with the battery. Hook up a dvom across the terminals and turn the headlights on without the engine running. Does it stay above 10-11 volts for a couple minutes? It should, if not it's weak. Or disconnect spark or fuel and crank the engine for a good 8-10 seconds, it should stay above 10 volts.

For the alternator, with engine running, turn on all the electrical loads (hi beams, blower fan, etc) and watch voltage at battery. Is it staying above or around 13.5 volts? Can you hear any whining sounds from the alt like it's working hard?

At your year and mileage a good visual check of the big 3 cables (battery/alt/starter) would be a good idea. Grab them, flex them around, if something is weak and going to break you want it to happen now in your driveway. Use the dvom to do some voltage drop tests across those 3 cables and all the ground cables too

 

At that age and snow country I'd be more concerned that the frame is still safe.

If that fails on a trail there is no fix.

 

If you are concerned about the battery get a “NOCO” battery jumper. Costs about $100.

To test the alternator, while the truck is at idle, take a voltage reading across the battery. ~14+ volts the alternator is good.

 

Yes. Absolutely. I do it all the time. And it's not crazy at all to consider replacing a part like an alternator.

The alternator on my '11 Taco completely froze up just before Thanksgiving. Three days earlier, it was in the "still works fine" category, but I had been considering replacing it just for the piece of mind, along with the water pump. But after reading a lot of posts here on TW, I decided it wasn't likely to fail catastrophically, so I opted not to. I had checked out how well it spun when I replaced the idler and tensioner pulleys a couple months back, and it seemed FINE. Well... it wasn't. If it had happened a month earlier when I was in Death Valley rather than while it was parked in my driveway, it would have been a whole different ball game.

The list of items that can go bad on a 15-year old Taco that's over 200K miles is pretty lengthy. Of course, "can" is not "will do so soon". The items you can inspect and get some confidence about - brakes, U-joints, carrier bearing, belt, hoses, pulley bearings. etc. - absolutely do that. The ones that are harder to inspect and know for sure? Replace 'em. With the numerous reports of Tacos with over 300K or 400K on them and still going strong, it's entirely reasonable.

Check the vent hoses on the transfer case and front differential actuators. The one on my transfer case was cracked and about ready to fall off. Saved by reading about it here on TW.

 

I'd replace the battery. Somewhere around 5-7 years is as long as they last and they can go bad with no warning. And there is no guarantee you can jump start it.

Two years ago my F150 was coming up on 5 years old and I planned to buy a new battery for it next payday, about 2 weeks away. But it died on me while parked 5 miles down a dirt road 8 hours away from home on a Sunday right at sundown. Jumper cables to another vehicle did no good at all. It was DEAD and showed no warning signs prior.

I stayed with the truck and started removing the dead battery while my wife rode with friends to the nearest AutoZone, which was nearly an hour away. We called ahead and they stayed open late for us.

By the time I got the battery swapped out it was too late to drive home and it cost me an extra night in a hotel.

 

Yes.

Just get the battery and alternator tested.

I've replaced batteries that still start but have low CCA's

 

Thanks for all the input.