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

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by retroboy1989, Sep 20, 2016.

  1. Sep 20, 2016 at 8:07 PM
    #1
    retroboy1989

    retroboy1989 [OP] Single Cab 4x4

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    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
    20160920_123828.jpg

    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.
    Screenshot_2016-09-20-20-54-19.jpg

    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
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2016
    sumnone likes this.
  2. Sep 20, 2016 at 8:25 PM
    #2
    maulcruiser

    maulcruiser Well-Known Member

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    Another easy clue is if the washer reservoir is mounted in the wheel well by the front bumper and has a shield on it.
     
    sumnone likes this.
  3. Sep 20, 2016 at 8:26 PM
    #3
    FirstGen Jer

    FirstGen Jer Well-Known Member

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    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?
     
  4. Sep 20, 2016 at 8:31 PM
    #4
    retroboy1989

    retroboy1989 [OP] Single Cab 4x4

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    Apparently trucks sold in cold climates came with this package. Different washer tank, heavy duty starter, not sure what else.
     
    FirstGen Jer[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Sep 20, 2016 at 8:32 PM
    #5
    retroboy1989

    retroboy1989 [OP] Single Cab 4x4

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    As opposed to?
     
  6. Sep 20, 2016 at 8:44 PM
    #6
    maulcruiser

    maulcruiser Well-Known Member

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    Some models had them mounted on the inner fender under the hood.
     
  7. Sep 20, 2016 at 9:03 PM
    #7
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    Never seen or heard of that before?
     
  8. Sep 21, 2016 at 12:50 AM
    #8
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

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    where is this ? Greenland !? Lol
     
  9. Sep 21, 2016 at 3:02 AM
    #9
    maulcruiser

    maulcruiser Well-Known Member

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  10. Sep 21, 2016 at 4:52 AM
    #10
    Phessor

    Phessor Well-Known Member

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  11. Sep 21, 2016 at 6:53 AM
    #11
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  12. Sep 21, 2016 at 6:57 AM
    #12
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    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? :notsure:
     
    sumnone and scottalot like this.
  13. Sep 21, 2016 at 6:58 AM
    #13
    Phessor

    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Funny thing about my truck, it was sold to a guy in Yuma, AZ
     
  14. Sep 21, 2016 at 7:03 AM
    #14
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    Lol, I noticed your location and thought you must not be original owner or wondered how a cold package made it down there.
     
  15. Sep 21, 2016 at 7:14 AM
    #15
    retroboy1989

    retroboy1989 [OP] Single Cab 4x4

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    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??
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2016
  16. Sep 21, 2016 at 7:17 AM
    #16
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  17. Sep 21, 2016 at 7:19 AM
    #17
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  18. Sep 21, 2016 at 7:26 AM
    #18
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    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
     
  19. Sep 21, 2016 at 7:32 AM
    #19
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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

    My washer reservoir has a shield also
     
  20. Sep 21, 2016 at 8:44 AM
    #20
    opteron

    opteron Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    3rYODA likes this.

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