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Timing Belt Suggestions

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by La_Mere, Jun 12, 2025.

  1. Jun 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
    #21
    gotoman1969

    gotoman1969 Well-Known Member

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    Only worth it if you done get fleebay crap parts.
     
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    #21
  2. Jun 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
    #22
    t0p_d0g

    t0p_d0g 私はタコマが大好きです

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    They’re counterfeit…… stay away from those parts on eBay!
     
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    #22
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  3. Jun 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
    #23
    gotoman1969

    gotoman1969 Well-Known Member

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    Just remember OP OEM from a 3rd party is not the same as OE from the dealer.
     
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  4. Jun 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
    #24
    JustADriver

    JustADriver Well-Known Member

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    I don't understand. People have been raving for years about aircabinman's kit being legit Aisin and OEM parts. Now all of a sudden you're saying he's selling fakes?
     
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  5. Jun 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
    #25
    ztwatson

    ztwatson Well-Known Member

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    I heard he was ripping people off recently on Facebook. Don’t know if it is true.

    Don’t over think it. Either get OEM and pay or get Aisin and get likely OEM quality at a discount. Don’t buy fake OEM Toyota on EBay.

    I bought this kit from Amazon. $350. Been doing great the past 2,000 miles since installation.

    Timing Belt KIT with Water Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MQ4XFTF
     
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    #25
  6. Jun 19, 2025 at 6:24 PM
    #26
    AlexR

    AlexR New Member

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    I did my timing belt and few months back on my 2001 Prerunner v6. Got everything from yota shop and its high quality parts. You don’t have to buy the complete kits. You at least need water pump and might as well do thermostat.

    At minimum you should get mitsuboshi timing belt, belt tensioner, and water pump.
     
  7. Jun 21, 2025 at 7:40 AM
    #27
    ChinoXL

    ChinoXL Well-Known Member

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    I had the 16 pc aircabinman kit installed 13k miles ago and haven’t had any issues. The shop that did the work was impressed that I had all the “right stuff”.
     
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  8. Jun 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM
    #28
    CrippledOldMan

    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

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    Post #27, Aircabinman on has a reputable kit on ebay that should be right up your alley. check it out if you haven't already purchased another Kit. I'm surprised that other members didn't chime in before my post
     
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    #28
  9. Jun 22, 2025 at 8:18 AM
    #29
    Clucky

    Clucky Well-Known Member

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    Working on finally resealing leaking oil pump and pan on 3.4 L 4wd. In my enthusiasm I didn't notice there were no longer visible marks on the timing belt before taking it off. I was planning to reuse it as it's only 14 months old. Anyone put one on without marks?
     
  10. Jun 22, 2025 at 8:39 AM
    #30
    SpencerTacoSC

    SpencerTacoSC Well-Known Member

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    No big. The marks are mostly for convenience when you're putting the belt on. Just start from one end and work your way around, then spin the engine around two full revolutions (one complete cycle) - if the timing marks on the cam pulleys & crank pulley are still in sync, you're good to go. If not, one of those three is off by a tooth or two - adjust, and try again.
     
  11. Jun 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
    #31
    La_Mere

    La_Mere [OP] Member

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    All I had to do was loosen some bolts. The upper radiator hose clamp kept it from moving too far off, but it was still enough to catch a glimpse of the timing belt.
     
  12. Jun 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
    #32
    La_Mere

    La_Mere [OP] Member

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    Okay, so I ended up getting that 16pc kit from aircabinman. Out the door it was $422 and change. Ill let everyone know if the parts are real or not when it gets here.

    Now I need to get the SST's to install it...
     
  13. Jun 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
    #33
    t0p_d0g

    t0p_d0g 私はタコマが大好きです

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    I looked at that kit and it looks legit.
     
  14. Jun 25, 2025 at 3:56 PM
    #34
    rish57

    rish57 Well-Known Member

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    I got the same kit about 6 weeks ago and thoroughly inspected everything...looks completely legit...I actually ordered a timing belt straight from Toyota a couple years ago that I never put on and it's completely identical, including the packaging etc...just fyi, I did also order the A/C pulley since it was cheap and people have had them seize up on them, didn't want any strain on the system when I do this in like a week...the pulley is like $50.
     
  15. Jun 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
    #35
    La_Mere

    La_Mere [OP] Member

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    Good to know... Here's another one: Can I use a cheapo Harbor Freight puller instead of the OTC one that people recommend? What about the belt tension gauge? Is it necessary?
     
  16. Jun 25, 2025 at 4:24 PM
    #36
    SpencerTacoSC

    SpencerTacoSC Well-Known Member

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    The belt tension gauge is a convenience - that said, I used a Krikit-style tension gauge, which is a lot cheaper than the dial-type. Trickier to use, but that's your tradeoff for convenience. I have no idea about the Harbor Freight puller, but if it's the right style it should work.
     
  17. Jun 26, 2025 at 7:12 AM
    #37
    rish57

    rish57 Well-Known Member

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    Great question...I'll be honest, up till a couple weeks ago I didn't even know a gauge like that existed and I got that one that was suggested just because the starting tension on that belt is so important...it wasn't cheap, I think in total I spent around $400 in tools just for this job...I didn't want to be knuckles deep and regret not having something that would make my job easier, plus one of the kits I knew I needed for other jobs.
     
  18. Jun 26, 2025 at 1:57 PM
    #38
    CrippledOldMan

    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

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    From all of the posts, and Threads I've read about this kit, I don't think you'll be sorry you purchased it. I purchased an Aisin kit before I knew about these kits from aircabinman. Let us know what you think when you get it.
     
  19. Jun 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
    #39
    La_Mere

    La_Mere [OP] Member

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    I just received my eBay kit and have been going through it for the past hour or so. Everything is either oem (Toyota, Aisin, Koyo, etc.) Or came in a branded Toyota box, with the exception of the crank bolt. Out the door, this kit set me back $422, including tax. Everything was nicely packaged and the water pump gasket is perfect. This kit came with everything to do the job except the tools, which I will be hunting down next. I might post a wtb ad here for the tools, just in case there's someone here that doesn't use theirs anymore.

    17513271804131902245389231371969.jpg
     
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    #39
    rish57, leid and ChinoXL like this.
  20. Jul 1, 2025 at 7:54 AM
    #40
    rish57

    rish57 Well-Known Member

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    When I get home later, I'll check my packaging against yours and see how it compares as I bought that kit about 6 weeks ago.
     

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