3.4 4wd Starter

I know it’s an old thread but I just did this today and thought I’d share.

With the v6 auto 4x4 I do not know how you’d get the starter out the side. I already had ditched my sway bar so I just cut the bracket off and it was able to drop out the bottom pretty easily. To install I had to unbolt the trans dip stick from the block (1 12mm bolt, easiest from the underside). With that loose it popped right into place. Hope this helps someone.

 

I like this idea, my starter is original still and its something I will have to do at some point.
But I have headers and there's no way its coming out from the bottom or top.
You and support the engine from the oil pan without any issues to remove the motor bracket?

 

you can support it from a long 4x4 piece of wood and a floor jack on the pan. But after you get it raised, slip some small blocks between the motor mount and frame for safety.

 

you have it to Jimmy it out at a weird angle towards the crossmember. My buddy helped me and I could not got it however he found the g spot apparently and got it lol

 

Pull the tranny dip stick, un mount alot of the hard lines to the cooler, and toe the line of shoving them out of the way and fucking yourself. That's the only way I got it

 

Gonna have to do this to mine, glad this thread exists as I have the v6 4x4 auto… luckily I have already ditched antisway bar so hopefully that will make life a bit easier like mentioned above.

 

It's not the end of the world. I did mine a few months ago in the office parking lot in the rain. Took less than two hours.

Once you unbolt the starter, you can rotate and wiggle it to just clear the above-mentioned trouble spots. It's a sort of Twister-like game, but it has the room to drop free.

 

Does anyone have a good video of this being done on 3.4L V6, 4x4 Auto? I am completely buggered on how to get the starter out, for all of the reasons mentioned by the people above with this same truck. This combo is nigh on impossible.

 

Undo bolts, and pull it through the wheel well (passenger side).

Let's call the part of the starter that bolts in place part A, the part facing towards the rear part B.

When you undo the starter, pull it and angle part B downward with part A facing up. Pull part A up and out towards the opening.

 

Depending on the dexterity of your hands, ability to stay calm/curse at yourself, you can separate the solenoid from the starter. There are two bolts that hold the body and one that hold the electrical cable. Make sure you reassemble it the way you take it apart. It splits it in half and makes it easy to remove and replace.
It’s tedious but not necessary move anything else.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/just-found-the-first-thing-i-really-hate-about-my-tacoma.774564/

Several different approaches described in the above thread for how to Jimmy the little bastard out. Some have had luck from above or from the passenger wheel well. I had luck pulling it out from below past the steering rack. Sounds like it will depend on your configuration a bit, the auto trans makes it harder… I have a 2.5” lift and no sway bar which I’m convinced made it a lot easier.

 

At 700,000 miles original starter went south,
Come to find out with the headers on and 5 speed with twisting the starter to the right position it WILL drop right out the
bottom. It ended up being a 30 minute job max, what a relief

 

Auto 4x4 offers much less room than a manual 4x4.

Huge difference.

 

Exactly how I removed it. Bring it out by dropping it down and out over the steering rack. Much easier and enough room not to have to fuss with it.