Updated - Dorman (junk) vs pioneer (don’t recommend either) crankshaft pulley

I have had one Dorman installed & inspected two others, each being off in similar ways. I decided to try a pioneer. Seems solid, level, no funky rubber issues, etc.
I did notice this dif however.
Dorman

Pioneer

I know not why there is a space of this depth around the Dorman hub. The stock one has it as well. One could think not having it, like the pioneer, would make the part more solid. On the other hand, it may serve some necessary purpose.
Any experts out there with an answer besides buy a Toyota csp?

 

I called pioneer. Course they’re not going to say that what they make is a piece of junk. His explanation is it was to solidify or correct the weak spot that the stock has.

 

Called Toyota & talked with my dude Pedro. He checked with a technician, who said it shouldn’t be a problem & that it could indeed make the pulley more solid, better. Think I’ll give it a whirl & keep an eye on it.

Still open to any of your opinions….

 

How much is that Pioneer unit? The LC Engineering unit that was mentioned in your other thread would be the one I'd spring for.

LC Engineering has been making high performance Toyota parts for a while and has a pretty solid reputation.

 

The pioneer one was 260.00 shipped.

I am leery of the lightweight pulleys. I searched TW, other Toyota sites as well as in general (any feedback no matter what the vehicle) & there were varied opinions on whether they even resulted in any or much benefit to our engines. The thing I read that makes me leery is many questioning whether, or determining that, the pulleys had actually messed up their engines.
They can or most likely will decrease dampening resulting in more vibration
Affecting the alternator ability to do its job
& a few other things….

 

Kristi, I am not a mechanic...just a hack.
I will point the finger at that extra space found on the dorman and OEM to possibly allow some extra dampening for any xtra vibes
Possibly to also let ya know it needs replaced if and when it starts tinging around with that space
But I will Not recommend the OEM csp with that ridiculous +700$ current MSRP because after just 170k miles since I had to replace mine with an OEM csp it looks like roached azz after all that clean new black coating weathered off

 

Honestly, I'd almost gamble on a reasonable-mileage junkyard one depending on price...

That said - Toyota left that void for a reason, and it probably wasn't to save on metal. It being solid... probably won't hurt your truck either, though.

 

I checked out some preowned on EBay. They didn’t look too impressive.

So I go on the parts site & there are plenty. Closest one to me is 35 miles. Then 100….
Mostly grade X, which apparently = ungraded.
Some are graded A. I’ve used the site before & picked up a couple of things, just never checked out what the grading scale was.
A = “Less than or equal to 60k miles, or greater than 60k miles but less than or equal to 200k miles and less than or equal to 15k miles per year”
Ha-ha! What?!?!

 

Never Dorman.

 

Well, it looks like I’ll be calling pioneer again. Didn’t think to look on their site at pics of the pulley -

Sure looks like it has that void to me! Hopefully the tech has some great explanation…. I just finished torquing it down….

The one I received

 

Probably have better luck with 100.00 one off Amazon….

 

If not the lightweight (I probably wouldn't either) - then go with the standard from LCE:

https://www.lceperformance.com/Harmonic-Balancer-5VZ-1995-2004-p/1016172.htm

 

I have a new ATP one sitting in a box. It doesn't have that void. Looks good to me.

BTW look on youtube for the belt trick to remove a crankshaft pulley. It was never mentioned on the threads I read here.

 

what does this do?
& I’m thinkin at the rate I’m goin’, I’d have 1/2 a tube stuffed outa reach because of the timing cover….

 

Well that’s interesting. I went to Amazon to look at various HB’s to see if there were any that did not have that void. One of them was the ATP, with said void. Not sayin I don’t believe you. Just wondering if it’s a new thing & these are old style pics….

 

I actually tried that using an old alt belt & I couldn’t get it. I ended up doing the start bump method. The new pulley is already installed. I’m glad you piped in because I was thinking I got a dud & was going to have to uninstall it & find something else.

 

Maybe I misinterpreted what you meant by void. I think I'd have to see a video to see what you mean.

 

This is the space/void -


The pioneer is installed, so I can’t do pics. If I did, the caliper would read 2-3mm

 

Nicely done miss k

 

Hmmm…. Occurred to me that void may be for heat or rather, cooling? Although I did read that they generally don't get hot & that what we call rubber, is actually some type of silicone based something, so it’s not negatively affected by any heat.

I’m just not sure I want to leave that one installed, so I’m in limbo. The pioneer guy to a look at a few others in the warehouse & said they’re all like the one I received. Sent me a pic as well….