So my starter sometimes makes single clicks when I turn the key and have to turn it a few times before it turns over. Battery is strong and changed it 10 months ago. My question is everyone on here says change the contacts and plunger, but being this starter looks rusty on the outside, could rust be forming inside and i'm not talking about the contacts.

Also my transmission dipstick tube is stuck together. Can I just push the dipstick tube aside when I take the tube bolt out, drop the sway bar and pull the starter out from underneath? I don't want to pull the starter through the wheel well being the brake lines are rusted and have to push those out of the way.

Anyone lol?

I think I’m just gonna get the kit and hopefully it’s not to rusted inside. Starting to get worse and need to order the parts.

If it's super rusty and corroded, and you're going through all the effort of removing it anyways - I can't see why you wouldn't replace it altogether at that point. Especially if it's at the point you suspect rust might be internal

Change the contacts! If it's an original Denso unit, and the hardware isn't totally corroded, you can fix it. That NAPA garbage will buy you about six months. The hardest part of this job is pulling the starter. Once you have it on the bench, contacts/plunger are real easy. If you want to replace the whole unit GO DENSO!!

The judgement about corrosion is going to be up to you... but if I can pull the starter and change the contacts literally anyone with half a brain can do it.

Check out this video which includes part numbers.

3rd Gen T4R DIY Maintenance, Repair and Modification Videos - Page 3 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

I took another look at the starter while I was spraying bolts and nuts down with PB Blast and decided I’m replacing the starter. Also I got a really good deal on a denso starter and only paid $116 through my job. If I was to get OEM plunger and contacts online at the cheapest dealer I found, it was gonna cost $60. And if I open the cover to get at the plunger & contacts and those bolts are rusted and break I’m screwed. Toyota charges re stocking fees for returns.

I’m gonna try to change it this weekend if it doesn’t rain. I also tried taking the upper tube off the transmission dipstick and it’s not budging, even after spraying it with PB blast. Looks like I’ll be dropping the sway bar and going from underneath on getting the starter out

I've heard bad things about rebuilt/reman from auto parts stores (but have no experience with them). After taking a swim through the Mojave river, the contacts were corroded in mine. I bought the contact kit, replaced the corroded contacts and plunger, and it's been 3 years. Hardest part was getting the starter in and out.