How to: Change the alternator on a 2nd gen Tacoma.

I just helped someone do this on a V6 '06 with AT/AC. Trying to get the alternator out the top was a joke. We removed the front left tire and front splash shield and the alternator rolled right out. New one went in the same way. Would have been a one hour job max had we had just done the wheel well exit/entry first.
BTW the one odd clip on the splash shield is the same as the two holding the front grill in place. Glad I had a spare as only that one broke.

 

Thanks for the thread! My diode is going bad, I'm not going to rebuild. LOL

Would a higher amp alternator be something to look at? I don't run a lot, but to have and not need, versus need and not have........

 

If you've got an OR it probably came with a tow package and larger of the two alternators (140 amp I think)

 

Thanks, I know I have the tow package for sure.

 

Well changed the alternator, all in all not hard BUT I misaligned the belt just a little and frayed the inside. OK adjust it to ride until I can get another belt. I'll be damned if I don't find an oil leak on the front crank! It was dry as a bone on the outside before and now it's dripping 3 drops every 17 seconds. Crap crap crap now something else. I should have let my mechanic do it. I'm on a crappy tablet and can't get a good search to see what I have to do.

 

Check the crank pulley/harmonic balancer really close to make sure its not separated

 

Ya don't understand that. I guess I'm not driving it until then? Not good.

 

If the serp belt is walking around and won't stay aligned in the grooves, often its because the two halves of the balancer are coming apart and dragging the belt around.

Recently a guy (who's on here regularly) had a bad oil leak down by the crank seal, turns out the outer part of the balancer knocked/rubbed a hole in the timing cover.

Not saying thats whats happening with your truck but just something to check

 

Gotcha. The belt misalignment caused this. It was fine until I screwed it up.

 

The frayed part of the belt got into the front crank seal and destroyed it. Someone else on here did the same thing.

Here it is. It happened after he swapped in a different motor.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/i-threw-2-crank-rods-1grfe-185k.578405/page-10#post-19388455

 

Per my discussion with my mechanic (who I trust) he said to see if I could find any belt wrapped around the pulley. I might be able to unwind it and fix the issue. I found some, unwound it and it's leaking twice as bad now when running. LOL.

Limping to the shop this weekend for him to change to fix ($150) on Wednesday. Ugh.

 

Sorry to hear about your seemingly simple belt swap turning into a nightmare. Changing the front crank seal is probably a little bit above novice level. No disrespect towards your mechanical abilities, but if you're not comfortable really digging in and going for commitment, you could be getting yourself in more trouble. See if you have towing insurance on your insurance policy. If you do, just have it towed to the shop. Using your towing insurance doesn't raise your rates and there's no deductible. The worst that can happen is if you end up using it too often, they'll cancel your towing insurance.

 

No offense taken. I was able to drive it to the mechanic. He's a good guy and $150 later I can pick it up this afternoon.

 

Good timing to come across this as my baby just let me know he's ready for a new alternator.

 

I replaced my alt around 151k or so, then afterwards belt started to squeal at start up and really hard turns. Replaced the belt a little later, squeaked a little that first start up and slightly when shutting down. It has been in the 20’s the pas 2 mornings and it’s screaming like a banshee now. Belt looks it’s on all the pulleys evenly. Stopped by the local Toyota service dept and the guy says to adjust the alternator?!? Once the belt has been warmed up it doesn’t do it anymore only when it sat all night or all day while I’m at work. Any ideas?

 

Might still be a belt. I thought all Bandos were good since technically they make the OEM belt for these trucks. Unfortunately i found out that there are actually 2 Bando options. The "cheapie" Bando sucks ass and started squealing on cold startup after 2 weeks. I switched to a Gates and its been quiet for over a yr now.

The Bando that they put on at the factory has got to be a better version. Dealers cant have brand new trucks squealing right when the truck leaves the lot.

Id go dealership belt or Gates

 

Might not be the belt. Did you check the 3 idlers and the tensioner pulleys when you did the alternator? If not my bet is on at least the tensioner bad and maybe 1-3 of the idlers going by 150k. I put a new tensioner assembly on as it was getting weaker and belt slipped on full throttle and flat pulley was getting grooved and bearing grating some. All three idler bearing were slightly worn but compared to new ones felt rough when spinning. After changing all it was very quiet up there.

 

Thank you for all the Info! So grateful for this page! My 2006 Tacoma starting making a high pitch / grinding noise. I suspected the alternator after reading this section. Sure enough, the battery light came on this morning. I knew immediately that it was the alternator! Picked up a new one at my local Toyota dealership for $326. Installed in less than 2 hours. Thanks again everyone!

 

Is it me or did I get sabotaged?? I used some pointers from this thread & replaced the alternator, hooked everything back up & worked.

I replaced the tensioner pulley while I was down there, broke the tensioner's hole where you insert a bit/screwdriver/etc but replaced it was. Afterwards there was NO MORE SQUEALING!

Fast forward a few days, I went to the Toyota dealership to get diagnostics on my radiator cooling system & they found nothing wrong. I get in my truck, still at normal temp, head home with no noises. The next day I went to start it, my God at the squealing it ain't ever done before like that.

I went to lunch meeting today & when I started it up to head there the squealing was even worse. I sounded like those people we all stop & stare at... It was that bad!! I know damn well I fixed what was needed w/ no noises.

So ... Anyone else have the noise come back 300% worse after what all I had to do??