How To: Determine if your Tacoma is "Cold Spec"

I went to order new starter motor contacts and found that I couldn't without knowing if my truck was cold spec or not. The dealer couldn't even tell me! Google searches did nothing, so I am putting this out there for others to find.

I discovered the following method for determining if your truck is cold spec:

1. Read the part number on the side of your original starter. If your starter was replaced at some point, you are probably out of luck. This is mine, 28100-75140


2. Head to toyodiy.com and punch in your VIN for part lookup

3. In the part number catalog, go to engine/fuel - starter

4. Compare the starter part numbers to your starter. Notice my starter is cold spec.


I am now feeling safe in assuming my truck is cold spec. I went ahead and ordered the following part numbers for my starter repair:

28226-54380
28226-72010

 

Another easy clue is if the washer reservoir is mounted in the wheel well by the front bumper and has a shield on it.

 

This is a new one to me? What is cold spec? Does it have something to do for regions that get "colder"? So some parts might be built a little different or something?

 

Apparently trucks sold in cold climates came with this package. Different washer tank, heavy duty starter, not sure what else.

 

As opposed to?

 

Some models had them mounted on the inner fender under the hood.

 

Never seen or heard of that before?

 

where is this ? Greenland !? Lol

 

http://www.sparksparts.com/auto-par...ine/body-cat/wiper-and-washer-components-scat

 

Looks like mine was a cold package, good to know.

 

You lucky dogs that got the HD starter for the cold regions. Toyota usually offers these 'cold zone' package options in cold regions. This package usually gets a HD starter as OP stated. Nice to know the part number for it OP, while I'm used parts scavenging the pick n pulls and the internets.

 

Both of the starters, "cold spec" or not, will fit.

Just get the cold spec, wherever you live. Why? It has more cranking power. Why do they even sell a regular starter?

 

Funny thing about my truck, it was sold to a guy in Yuma, AZ

 

Lol, I noticed your location and thought you must not be original owner or wondered how a cold package made it down there.

 

Well seeing how the dealer cant even tell you if it is cold spec from the vin.... i am sure they got mixed into warmer areas.

My cold spec truck was originally sold in West Virginia. The dealer did tell me that i have a cali emissions truck, though. Maybe all cali emissions were cold spec??

 

Oh sorry, my reply was meant for Mr.Yuma, AZ. I didn't hit the quote button, my bad.
I'm still getting used to these internets.

 

I wonder how much a Toyota reman goes for in this part number? I know in the cruiser world it was next to impossible to get a reman of the cold spec starter.

 

Toyota uses this same HD starter in the Hilux 2011 and on, a search of the part number on toyodiy.com shows. That alone should be enough to communicate how heavy duty Toyota believes this starter is. Gotta find me one. Lol

 

does this apply to 3rd gen 4runners as well?

My washer reservoir has a shield also

 

I have a feeling all pre-runner and 4x4 have the cold weather package. I just checked my truck the reservoir is cold package. Haven't looked at the starter yet though. Btw my truck is California truck.