Alternator assistance - Spring Hill, TN

Is there anyone in the Nashville area that would be willing to help me replace the alternator in my wife's 4Runner this weekend? I've been at it for over 2 hours now and don't even have the stupid thing out.

I live in Spring Hill and am willing to provide beer, food and money for the help.

 

Sorry, I'm not in a position to come up and help and I'm headed out of town for the next week.

What seems to be the issue and have you hit up youtube?

 

what year 4runner?

On a side note: how do you like your truck?

 

I have. I'm down to the last bolt and for the life of me, cannot get it out. I've dropped multiple things to the skid plate. I think I'm just frustrated that it's taking so long but could still use help.

2008, V6.

I love my truck other than the surge in 1st gear. No dealer will apply the update for the TSB but other than that, no issues. It's the truck I've always wanted.

 

That's the same motor set up in my 2008 tacoma and 2008 4runner. What bolt are you trying to get out?

 

The bottom bolt to the alternator. It's 14 mm but no matter what, it keeps slipping off

 

That one was a B____. I had to hold up on the alternator with one hand while removing the bolt. You did remove the battery already?

 

I did. I've been on this one bolt for 30 minutes. I keep dropping shit and it's pissing me off.

I gave up for the night to drink beer

 

You going to play some golf in some desert resort?

 

It's called "work" and yes, my clubs are packed.

 

I'll look at my truck in the morning, and see if i remember what I did.

It will look better in the daylight.

 

Send us some boring "work" pictures.

And don't over "work" yourself.

 

Will do.

 

I was able to finish it up this morning. Let the bottom bolt soak in wd-40 last night and it came right out.

 

Awesome!

 

Great!

 

@wtjl240 how's the horsepower of your tacoma? I've been looking for a new truck. It's between a newer 2nd gen in the blue ribbon, or going for 2018 in blazing blue. What is the surge problem you have in first gear? I haven't hear of any problems with 6 speed manual.

 

The horsepower is great for a midsize truck. This engine likes to be revved up which has taken some getting used to though.

The surge my truck has in first gear is when you're at a stop light / stop sign / stopped in traffic and start moving, you let the clutch all the way out and give it gas. Then after a few seconds it's like the engine hits a dead spot and bucks forward. The easiest way to describe it would be letting the clutch out too soon but I'm not. I've been driving a manual for 13 years now and this is the only vehicle that's done this. It also doesn't do this every time but enough to be annoying. It didn't start doing it either until about 1,000 miles of owning it. If you read this thread: Software update for the manual, it appears the update solves the issue but it's a matter of finding a dealer that knows WTF they're doing or buying a Tactrix cable. I've not broken down and spent the money on a cable yet. The dealer told me the issue was because I had a brake controller installed

The manual transmissions have an ECU software update (TSB 0058-18 & TSB 125-18 linked at bottom) but because Toyota is stupid, they don't include the magical words of "manual transmission" or "6MT" on page 1 of TSB 0058-18 so most dealers will not apply the update. I've had mine checked at a local dealer and it shows an update available in Techstream but the tech refused to apply it. ECU Calibration ID: 8966304A7000 is a MT and what's in my truck.

Here's my ECU Calibration ID plugged in to Techstream:


All in all, I love the truck and I wouldn't trade it for anything but the surge is annoying. Once I get that taken care of, I'll be 100% satisfied. The truck does what I bought it for and eventually will tow an 18-22 foot camper. I realize it's not as capable as my dad's Tundra but I knew that before I bought it. The BBP color is going away for MY 2019+ so if you really like the color, grab one!

 

Thank you for the info. I do like the blue, and have really enjoyed my 08 6MT.

Glad to know the 3rd gen has power. I was concerned with it being a smaller motor.

 

Yeah I love the BBP color. It gets a lot of compliments around town.

As for power, I'm used to towing a 5'x10' utility trailer with a 2nd gen around 2,000 rpms; the 3rd gen is 2,500-3,000 rpms. Not a biggie but something I had to get used to. Like someone else said, in 2nd or 3rd gear, it takes off like a bat out of hell once you hit 3,000 rpms