Just a girl who owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Base V6 3.4L 5VZ-FE, and needs help with Parts List..

I understand oem prices suck, I agree that they're prices seem way high. When it comes to your engine and the components that directly control the engine I like oem or at least the manufacturers that made the parts for Toyota, like Aisin.
I've tried skimping in past and it but me in the butt. I know where I can and where I can't skimp. For this reason I make the recommendation I make.
Choice is theirs. I just try to share my experiences to help someone avoid a bad experience. Doesn't hurt me or my feelings if they choose to go a different route

 

I’d buy the timing belt kit from aircabinman on ebay. It’s all oem parts and it comes with everything you need except a new crank bolt. It’s the same kit timmy the toolman uses. Watch his video.

 

why? you literally ignored the advice of everyone on here, bought some random kit off the internet that costs the same as the aisin kit which is the original manufacturer and spent the same amount of money. Amazon has the aisin kit for 179 that i linked earlier.

and it does matter. i bought a landcruiser last year where the owner had replaced the timing belt with some other brand and it snapped on my wife leaving her stranded on the side of the road. i guess it almost made it to 90,000 miles which is the interval, but my oem timing belt on my taco did 200,000 without ever leaving me stranded.

i realize you don't know any better, but why ask advice only to do your own thing anyway? I'm done. hope your friend can handle this job for you.

 

Well luckily our friend is a mechanic, whom had worked at a collision shop for many many years. Which is a lifesaver, because there's no way I could afford to take it to a shop for everything.
But do you think that we are going to replace the water inlet housing as well? (I guess it's all speculation until we actually get under the truck/in the engine, no?) Would there be anyone so kind as to type up a small list as to what should be or recommended that we chang/replace? Or maybe even some links of good brands of parts?

 

I apologize but I didn't see/read your post right away. (I'm just juggling so much on my plate right now, it's so overwhelming difficult to sometimes remember everything. But I am trying here )
And I didn't purchase the kit, which was why I had posted it, wondering if it were the right one and would work.
And thank you for bringing it to my attention another time. That was very kind and greatly appreciated.

 

I’d do your plugs and wires, valve covers if theyve started leaking because they probably will, front and rear cam seals, front crank seal, pcv valve, upper intake plenum gaskets.

 

Lisa, watch this... There is a part 1 and 2.
Please dont skimp on interal parts quality, just buy the right parts once and be done with it. Good luck on the project!

https://youtu.be/tAM-Inw1U-I

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/average-cost-for-timing-belt-replacement.235517/

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/timing_belt/
I would seriously consider taking the truck to someone that has done the job before and knows how its done, by the time you buy all the parts and go thru the rip down and the learning curve of doing the job paying a shop $600-$1000 is a bargain. If you don't have enough money for that I would put in some OT hours at work or cut back on non essential monetary expenditures til you have enough money to fix the truck. I had mine done twice when a local Toyota dealership was running discount service coupons on this service, all OEM parts with new coolant was $900 money well spent IMO and was done properly.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! I'm definitely gonna be watching some videos tomorrow. I'm actually excited to learn something new!

 

I will say one thing, when the Lady's ask a question y'all sure put on your Sunday best! Keep up the good work.

 

oh? a girl? if you were closer id do the job for free.

don't mind me while a simp on tacoma world.

 

Have made progress. Didn't help that a previously replaced bolt (from the looks of it, not a great one), took freaking 2-3 weeks to finally arrive from Toyota!)
Will post pics soon.

 

Flush the cooling system, including the engine and heater core, while you're at it. No sense having a nice, new water pump with restricted water flow.

Pay close attention to what comes out of the radiator when flushing it. If discolored (brown) fluid, or any pieces of metal come out, replace it with an Denso or Aisin brand.
While you have it out of the truck, or even if still in but both hoses off, just run water hose (if you have municipal supply, NOT WELL WATER) until it runs clear. If you removed it from the truck, flip it and run water through from both directions.

If you have well water, go buy some distilled and at least flush the radiator. You'll need some anyway for re-filling after the belt change. Then flush again after you gt the truck back together.

Definitely don't want to overheat a 3.4L. You might want to buy one of the cheap borescope/endoscopes and take a look inside for corrosion. You never know if someone may have used iron rich well water in the past.

Me personally, depending on mileage and how long I've owned it, I'd replace the radiator if I had any doubts. It's cheap insurance against a blown head gasket.

 

What if there was a $10,000 water filtration system on the well pump? Wouldn't it be ok to use the water then? (Also have a RO unit inside the house under the kitchen sink.)

 

Distilled water costs under $1/gallon at a local grocery store. The concentrate form of coolant is also a lot cheaper than the diluted 50-50 version.

- Buy a gallon of distilled water and a gallon of concentrated coolant
- Get a clean 5-gallon bucket and pour in the content of the two containers
- You get 2 gallons of 50-50 coolant mixture for a lot less money

 

If the filtration removes minerals like iron, you are probably okay. Some filters are specifically removing bacteria so you don't get sick. Water softeners, on the other hand, remove minerals like iron.

If you are just flushing the radiator, almost all of the water will be drained. So, you could use well water. For the engine and heater core, only if you have good confidence in your water system. Also, I would follow the advice of PSO Vett and just buy enough for the final fill. With concentrate, you're not out much money.

BTW, rain water is also fine. Nature has removed the minerals for you. If you have a rain barrel, use that.