3rd Gen. Tacoma Serpentine Belt Replacement

Uh I’m just taking a guess here, but old habits die hard.

Back in the good old days, before the serpentine ran everything, we had multiple belts all over the place, and their life span was around 30k before they gave it up. If you lost one, no biggie, you could still limp back to civilization in most cases.

Then came the single serpentine and it runs everything. If it dies, you’re more like SOL, done.

And I don’t remember anyone saying anything about how long they would last or any mileage statement warranty. I found out the hard way I could go 70-80k, but I still change mine every 60k or 5-6 years for peace of mind. If I hear a noise before that, I start looking for a pulley/bearing going out.

 

Replaced the OEM belt at 65k miles just cuz. Put on a Gates Fleetrunner (green stripe)

$41 K070835HD FleetRunner Micro-V Serpentine Drive Belt

K070835HD. Most parts stores won’t catalog the HD belt so just give the part number. But I guess the question is: is there really a difference or benefit to using a heavy duty belt on a basically stock 2GR?

 

Replaced my Serpentine with a Gates today (first time)...Procedure was just as our great forum posters have typed up.
But, man the toughest part I believe was just getting into a stable position from top of engine.
I did remove skid plate, but I really felt I couldn't get leverage for releasing tension on belt from underneath truck.
Will it get easier or should I build some Engine Bay Scaffolding for these jobs?
Oh Yeah, I have a quiet Taco again!

 

You can do it all from the top. Splash shield removal gives more light. A normal 3/8 from the top gives more than enough tension. It’s more about pushing it behind the fan

 

I did mine a few days ago at 51k because it was chirping for the last few weeks especially when offroading. It was harder for me due to the lift and bigger tires to reach things. I also did it in the dark and was not able to get the Allen key in the locked position no matter how hard I tried so I just put tension on the pulley.

 

this was great!
Only thing i think mightve helped would be an order of operations as to re-stringing new belt.
I know there HAS to be a "best" way to go about it... but, a little fumbling around and i made it work in under an hour.

thanks all!

 

yep, step stool really helped get in there. Although i did end up just standing/crouching on the bumper a couple times

 

Replaced mine and still squeaking I’m sure it’s a pulley

 

Which one?

 

Things don’t get easier as you age

 

Great video

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...A50DBE59883BF6BEA0D4A50DBE59883B&&FORM=VRDGAR

 

You got that right. Add progressive lens glasses and bad knees and that blet change was a nightmare for me.

I had no issues with the original belt at 100k miles but it was a nice even number to change it. The truck is too high to work everything from the top so I was constantly going from the top to bottom mainly just to see. Getting the belt between the crank and fan pulleys was the hardest part then the belt flipped sideways and got stuck between the fan pulley and timing cover. I then turned into a blind mad monkey trying to get it out lol.

I replaced with a Toyota belt. I will let it hang in the hot sun for days next time to get it to relax

 

Just did this on my 2019 with 26k miles. Thank you for the write up! I think the belt has been slipping since 6k miles because I’ve had some odd noises and surging at lower speed/rpm with a load. Almost like the engine was misfiring or something, but now it’s all gone. Also the noise started yesterday with minor chirping, 5 miles between then and this morning it was full chirp all the time.

 

Read this post in the "What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?" thread (bold is mine):

Plus @994door's post:

I've read about new serpentine belts addressing engine surge in other posts/threads as well. Since I bought our Taco a few months ago I've encountered an odd surge every once in a while. It only happens while in gear, slowly backing up or moving forward, usually while braking. It isn't consistent so it catches me off guard when it happens. No surge while driving. Is that what folks are referring to? At about 40K the belt looks fine, no cracks, chirping or squealing. If a new belt will take care of that odd surge I'll install one right away. Welcome the experts feedback!

TIA

 

2018 with just under 45,000 miles:
Was noticing some early morning belt squeal that would go away by the time I left my neighborhood. Tried some belt conditioner spray which made this squeal 1000x worse. Was honestly embarrassing and apprehensive to drive.
Picked up a new belt a couple days ago from Autozone (the Continental that @06ltd recommended) and put it in the same day. No more squeal. Cost about $36, dealer got back to me today and stated $97 for the Toyota belt.

Great thread @06ltd, thank you for the write up and pics/ schematic!
Anyone’s advise on order of pulley reinstall? I struggled with this for a while as the belt would slip off as I traced it around the pulleys. A few choice words were voiced during this process!

 

Thanks for the pro tips! Quick and painless! The diagram and Allen key tip made it SIMPLE! I have 90k on my TRD OR and the orig was in really good shape when i took it off and inspected it.

The OE Toyota Dealer belt price was $79 out the door here in California. I asked about the cost of the tensioner while there and parts guy said it was special order and $305 i think he said.

 

Replaced ours today. The surging mentioned earlier seems to have subsided a few weeks ago or so and I've no idea why a new belt would help, but, what the heck right? Followed @06ltd's instructions and ta-dah, almost easy peasy, almost. Many thanks!

 

Just did mine. 113,000 miles. Could I have gone longer? Likely yes. Was it needing to be replaced? Yes.
For the last 20k miles it's been squeaking at Cold startup.
Simple, easy job.

 

Hey guys, just hit 80k and looking to do this. Thanks for the easy to understand write up OP.

What belt is recommended? Links appreciated, thanks!

 

Well I got my belt changed. Thanks OP. But not without issue.

the dealership gave me part number “Bando 7PK2280 TOYOTA 90916-02707” and it’s about 2+ inches longer than the one that came off. I called them and they said it supersedes some older part number and that I had the right part.

Being the sceptic that I am I went down to Autozone and they gave me a Continental belt Part Number 4070834 and it’s exactly the same size as the original.

It fired right up and isn’t squeaking anymore. Replaced at 65K on a ‘17 TRD OR because of a squeak that developed after a mud infested trip that had multiple water crossings. I really need a snorkel so I can seal up the underside of the truck but that’s a story for another day… see photos.

PS. The dealer belt was $80 ish bucks. The Conti was $34
Cheers!
-M