94 starter change (help)

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panzertank27

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please help. i got a 94 4runner bout a year ago (my 1st yota, wnated it since high school,could finally afford it) starter went kaput ,have new starter, need to replace. its such a tight area and the chiltons isn't specific enough( im only a backyard mechanic) how do i get the old one out. please help my wife and i are down to one vehical and i cant afford to 2.5 hours it will take my mechanic. also im not 100% sure about jack stand locations for the front. any help would be greatly appreciated ty .stephon.
edit: 6cyl,manual trans,4x4
 
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I won't lie, it's a pain to get in and out. Remove all the wiring. Remove one bolt from the back side. You'll have to come at it from underneath behind the front tire. Remove the front bolt. The best way to come at it is with a few extentensions straight on from the front. Once loose, you have to wiggle it out the front or take the tire off and wiggle it out the wheel well. Take your time and don't get frustrated.
 
There is also a small panel next to the passenger wheel that you can remove to make getting to the starter a little easier.
 
thanks for the tips guys much appreciated. im goona attempt a second time as i did get quite frustrated the first try. i got the little mud plate off the passenger wheel well and the tire, but man its a tight spot. i hope to get it out from the side but i was told i may have to jack up engine about an inch but that sounds risky with for the tranny seal. anyways thanks again for the tips....
 
Footofgod replaced his starter without moving the engine. The bolts aren't too bad to get to. Use extensions and a swivel socket if you have them. It's literally only two bolts, one plug on the starter and one nut for the power wire on the starter.
 
man where was T4R when I did my first starter on one of these for a customer? lol. That was my first ever repair on a second gen too... yet I still bought one. haha.

Seriously though. The hardest part was getting my big hand in there and trying to get the nut back on the stud. The starter does come out through the wheel well, just turn the wheel in or out and pull that cover. I got to the bolts from the front and back. Pulling it out the side requires a bit of Tetris thinking, but it works.

Oh and I love Toyota and Subaru for the fact that it's usually either a 12mm or 14mm nut or bolt. Not like ford using both a 1/4" and 7mm on the same part. seriously. wtf.
 
man thanx for all the great info guys what an awesome site (forum) i didnt get a chance to do it yet cause i switched out my wife's foresters front struts and i am brimming with confidence now so ill give it another go. thanx cause i will get it out the side if its possible(i was a tetris wiz in my day) i dont wannna mess around raising the engine. thanx once again for the tips but mostly thanx for the positive attitudes that really goes along way.
 
I also thank you. My starters going out.. about once a week, I go to start her, and the starter doesnt even turn.. and have a tap the starter, than will start.. hoping to get that working good..

Thank you
 
Kc1994 said:
I also thank you. My starters going out.. about once a week, I go to start her, and the starter doesnt even turn.. and have a tap the starter, than will start.. hoping to get that working good..

Thank you
Click to expand...

This is an old thread but it's worth mentioning- The contacts for the plunger in the starter are usually what is worn and they are replaceable.
 
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