2004 Tacoma with original starter and alternator

Hey!

So I have 154,000 miles on this guy and I always do preventative maintenance on it. So here’s my question: should I just go ahead and replace the alternator and starter before I get stuck somewhere? Lol

Also, do you recommend Toyota OEM parts? And I replaced the serpentine belt in 2018, should I throw a new one on? As always thanks in advance

 

In my opinion if they work it’s a waste of money to replace them. Your mileage isn’t that high.

 

I wouldn’t change either unless you have issues. 185k on both my originals and I haven’t had any problems.

 

2nd this. I’m on my originals. Fires up strong every time at 168,xxx and I do preventative maintenance at almost every opportunity.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Yep; 167,000 here on my 01, and still going strong. Leave it!

 

My alt went out around 225k? Ironically enough on a road trip. Got an alt from auto zone to make it thru the trip. And then went straight to Toyota for an OEM replacement when I returned. Always OEM because...225k miles. Starter still going strong at 240k. Don't replace until broken. (I hear the starter is a pain in the 3.4...

 

How about your timing belt?

 

Water pump, thermostat , temp sensor, timing belt and all hoses and long life antifreeze done in 2020 along with wires and plugs and fuel filter lol the water pump and timing belt was done in 2007 as a recall

 

Also had the frame rails coated and undercarriage milked in 2009. I had it inspected in 2019 and it passed. I had a friend air blast the flakes off the frame rails and blow out the frame tubes and under coat it again this year. Frame is good

 

My last Tacoma (2001) went 250K still had orig. starter, I replaced the alternator once, 200K+ after the bearing started screaming.
Current Tacoma (2004) has 147K on orig starter/alternator with no concerns whatsoever, I have replaced one noisy tensioner pulley.
Toyota OEM (ie dealer) is fine, both are Denso units, so they can be purchased from non-dealer sources for much less $$$

 

Timing belt for me was changed at 130k. Guy showed me the belt and it looked very good still. I changed all that stuff b/c I know the service intervals for that. I'd never say go well beyond what maint requires, but my guess is 200k wasn't off the table. I wouldn't suggest anyone do that, but if you can take a peek at the belt before you make the call then...go for it and make a calculated risk.

I also threw in the water pump and assorted, related maint items as well. Water pump was cheap, idler, tensioner etc... All OEM stuff.

 

I see your point I have spares for if or when they fail .

 

if it ain't broke don’t fix it
I have a 1999 tacoma with 250,000 + on original alternator, starter, clutch etc and everything is still going strong and as for using oem parts, yes always use oem

 

You could test your alternator to see how well it's working. $8 Harbor Freight Alternator gets the job done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGB6ZEjGm7Q

 

plus the starter and alternator are rebuildable.

 

I under stand that motto.

Which is why so many more poor quality parts get installed ..

the poor elecrr icas, part tends to fail

 

The starters in these trucks are pretty robust, and the starter often gives the click click when the contacts are going bad, so like crippledoldman stated, rebuildable, at least the plunger and contacts.

The alternators are really weak in these trucks, so you could look around for other options in the Nippon-Denso-Aisin family.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-105-amp-bolt-in-alternator.630459/

Or a mod a l lot of people (myself included) do is a GM CS144, but you may not want to go that far away from stock. I’ve had mine installed for 7 years, no issues