second gen tensioner replace after only 85k or just belt.

I ll check a few of the ap stores in the area and see what they have. Thanks

 

Any way, i attempted to do the belt in the driveway. Even with the truck on metal ramps maybe 10" of lift no way was i able to even get close to the right position to be able to do the work. Called a shop i knew the owner, his mechanic put the truck on the lift and in 15 minutes has the new belt on.
Job done...

 

How much automotive experience do you have? Changing the belt is a 15 minute job with the truck on the ground.

 

Plenty, but on this 4.0 there is a huge front sway bar right in the path. Plus my back is not good, i was hoping to not have to lay on my back to try to do the work, and on the ramps was not high enough to do it without issues, so for me it was money well spent, a chiropractic bill would have been x2 of what he charged me.

 

Ah, that explains it. Flat on the back is the way to make it happen. I wouldn’t be able to if my back was acting up either.

 

I worked in heavy construction for years during the 80's. Killed my back. Been dealing with it since.

 

If you look at my profile page my past rides are shown, the 87 monte carlo, was completely built from a non running shell.
I did 99% of the work myself including all the paint.

 

296k have not replaced belt.

 

Your luck on that will run out.
Hopefully you will not be in a bad place when it does break or shred. I would at least get a new belt and keep it on hand as a jic

 

I do have a new belt. Just in case.

 

Just did serp belt, ac clutch relay, ac amplifier all this week.
Everything working as it should now. Fingers crossed!!

 

Just finished this job up. Can confirm the tensioner is a PITA to get to, but you can unbolt the AC compressor and let it drop out of the way without taking the lines off. 202k on the factory tensioner/ belt/ idlers. Bearings all still felt good, belt had a lot of cracking on the ribbed side only.

 

Did you do it flat on the ground in the driveway? Or lifted up ?

 

Tires on the ground, plenty of room with a lift and 285's. Sway bar was a bit of a pain to work around at times, but had the skid plate off, fan, shroud and radiator hoses all out to replace anyway and change the coolant.

 

Yes then i could see having the room to work, all that stuff out of the way, the right way to do it... these are some tough old trucks....

 

As noted in post 32, i just replaced my clutch relay, ac amplifier when the serp belt was done. I also replaced the maf sensor and cleaned the intake. In town mpg was borderline 12, after the replacement was added the in town mpg jumped to 17.3 thats a pretty good increase of about 30%.
My on the highway mpg was around 19. I have not been on a long trip to check it but i know it will be much better. Im hoping for 23 +

 

Gates has a good reputation for belts and pulley/bearings. Bando, I believe, is the belt supplier for our Tacos.

If your pulleys are in good condition, you can replace the bearings and re-use your pulleys. I’ve gone this route on all the vehicles in my household. I have a DIY thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...arings-in-the-idler-tensioner-pulleys.480961/

 

Mine is already finished but thanks though.

 

For next time, and/or if helping a buddy.

 

Yeah, im like that too, just putting things out there that others can use if in a similar situation. Im just glad i didnt have to replace my ac compressor. Who ever engineered this engine to have the oil filter on the top side as apposed to underneath was a freakin genius.
Makes my life a Breese.