How to: Change the alternator on a 2nd gen Tacoma.

What's everyone getting out of OEM alternators and starters?

101K here, so I'm starting to wonder about the OEM units.

Also, whether to rebuild old units when they go (there's a place in town that does it), or just buy lifetime-warranty Auto Zone units.

 

pics gone?

 

pics for this thread would help a bunch

 

Can you upload the pictures again?

Has anyone attempted this with Total Choas UCA weld in gussets?

 

I will be tackling this, this weekend.. Truck left me stranded at work an hour away from home. Threw in a new battery hoping it was that but no charge on that battery either. My truck just rolled 98k.

 

Just froze my fingers off changing out the alternator. Could not get the alternator from the top, had to get it out from the driver wheel well. I suppose if u had a second pair of hands u could get it from the top. Not sure how u guys got it from the top with no help.

 

I'm guessing you got 7 years out of yours? How many miles? Normal failure, or mudding, etc?

And +1 for doing it yourself!

 

I'm wondering when I'll be doing mine... 2005 4x4 TRD Sport DC with 153k miles and haven't had to do it yet. I have the towing package, and have had an Optima red top in there since 2008...

 

Got a dead one at 180k, sitting on the side of the freeway waiting on the tow truck

 

Not same model, but same make. Alternator went out on my 2006 Toyota Avalon last Oct. - 200K on the clock when it died.

It's my belief that folks who spend time in the dirt are not going to go as far before an alternator(and many other things) needs rebuilding/replacing.

For those who like to pull and have their alts. rebuilt locally....

It's all fine and good if the rebuilder uses Denso replacement parts. Some may claim they do, but I wonder.

 

I'll be doing this tomorrow, unfortunately.

 

pictures please

 

Will do.

 

thanks

 

Ok, got it done, nothing too it. I only took one pic. I done this on a 2005 v6, access cab, prerunner, 6 speed. Other years and specs may be different. On mine, you DO NOT have to remove the skid plate and you DO NOT have to remove the lower radiator hose. Unplug the wire connector on alternator and the little 10mm nut holding the other wire on. Remove battery, gives you more room. Take a 3/8 ratchet and 14mm and rotate tensioner pulley counter clockwise, remove belt from alternator pulley. Take the same ratchet and 14mm to remove the 2 bolts that mount the alternator to the engine. Also, remove the 2 10 mm bolts that hold the wiring harness to the alternator. Now just pull it out, may have to wiggle it around a little, but it will come out pretty easy.

 

Mine just went out at 70k, gonna be replacing in a few hours. Pics would be nice.

 

I just did mine, alternator was charging fine, but bearings were shot. 194K. I can attest to removing the battery, only way to go. There are a total of 4 10-mm nuts. There is one on the bracket that makes spark plugs difficult on that side, that one has a shield to protect the positive of the alternator, and now remove the one on the alternator. the other one is to the left, and then there is one under the battery tray. Those wiring harnesses are in the way. I took a bungie and wrapped around the break fluid reservoir pulled those wiring harness out of the way. I also took another bungie and put on the lower part of the radiator hose (right before the curve, and fastened it to the sheet metal on the drivers side where the headlight is. this opened it way up and made lower bolt way easier to get in. You do have to wiggle and rock back and forth, especially when installing. There is a lock spot, and when you are putting the alternator back in, you'll know it's in correctly when you hit this spot. Let go it will stay there by itself without any bolt. Put the lower one in first. Now you can see it with the lower radiator hose out of the way. For me it was too hard to see the hole and get the bolt in. I did it by myself. Also those wiring harness's out of the way, let's you see the whole thing. Make sure you move wiring harness back before you tighten the alternator.

 

Subd

 

Figure someone here might want to see how to rebuild their alternator too.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-1grfe-alternator-rebuild.453757/

 

Probably just got mud in the brushes. That happened to a friend and we cleaned out his and it worked great.