JoeT4R’s 2001 SR5 Build & Maintenance Thread

[octanejunkie]

Well, my original starter has been having a fit lately. Today it really made itself known that it's ready to be replaced. I went ahead and purchased a Denso reman from RockAuto for $159.38 and plan to hang onto my OEM unit to rebuild it in the future. Here's a video of the awful sound my current starter is making. It made it 322K, so I'm happy with that.

20230106_162459 | JoeT4R | Flickr

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That does not sound like a classic starter contact/plunger failure. The starter cranks the vehicle fine, it sounds like Bendix is hanging up on disengage after starting

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[JoeT4R]

That does not sound like a classic starter contact/plunger failure. The starter cranks the vehicle fine, it sounds like Bendix is hanging up on disengage after starting

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You're the 3rd person to mention this. With that in mind, does that mean the starter would be unable to be rebuilt by just replacement parts from Toyota?

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[phattyduck]

That does not sound like a classic starter contact/plunger failure. The starter cranks the vehicle fine, it sounds like Bendix is hanging up on disengage after starting

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That's how the first one on my 4Runner failed (somewhere in the 200k-250k range maybe?). The rebuilt Denso needed new contacts/plunger around 290k - was getting intermittent single click / no-start..

-Charlie

 

[JoeT4R]

That's how the first one on my 4Runner failed (somewhere in the 200k-250k range maybe?). The rebuilt Denso needed new contacts/plunger around 290k - was getting intermittent single click / no-start..

-Charlie

Interesting. I didn't think the starter would be going out anytime soon, but maybe that was foolish to think. I went ahead and ordered a Denso remanufactured starter and it arrived earlier today. I may try to knock it out tomorrow night, possibly. I look forward to getting it installed though. Don't wanna cause any more damage than what may have already occurred.

 

[brillo_76]

Hmm.. mostly over the years, I have had excellent results with the remfg denso starter and alts. Granted, maybe some places remfg differently than others. As lots of times I changed them once and they lasted as long as the originals. I need to keep an eye out and see if this is still the case.

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[JoeT4R]

Hmm.. mostly over the years, I have had excellent results with the remfg denso starter and alts. Granted, maybe some places remfg differently than others. As lots of times I changed them once and they lasted as long as the originals. I need to keep an eye out and see if this is still the case.

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The Denso reman alternator I threw in 8/21 is still going strong. I just received the Denso reman starter last night, so I may try tackling it tonight if I have the energy. Either way, I feel confident in using Denso reman products vs aftermarket new or aftermarket reman. I just trust the Denso name.

 

[JoeT4R]

Today the new license plate bezel got installed. Had a good friend help me and it took us about 2 hours, taking some breaks. All in all very pleased with the replacement bezel and it looks super clean with the offset from the black badges.

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[octanejunkie]

Today the new license plate bezel got installed. Had a good friend help me and it took us about 2 hours, taking some breaks. All in all very pleased with the replacement bezel and it looks super clean with the offset from the black badges.

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Next time you do it it'll take you 20 minutes and you can do it by yourself. Ask me how I know LOL

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[brillo_76]

Next time you do it it'll take you 20 minutes and you can do it by yourself. Ask me how I know LOL

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I second that. When fixed my rear door hatch. I can do it alot faster now.

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[JoeT4R]

Next time you do it it'll take you 20 minutes and you can do it by yourself. Ask me how I know LOL

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I literally pray I do not have to do that ever again. It was not a fun time, 2/10 do not recommend.

I second that. When fixed my rear door hatch. I can do it alot faster now.

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I'm sure there's truth in what you guys are saying, but I still wouldn't want to have to do it again. The one I installed looks essentially new so I have hope that this one will hold out for the reminder of the truck's life.

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[JoeT4R]

Rear shocks replaced today. Out came Bilstein 5100's, in went OEM Tokicos. They ride super nice and smooth, I absolutely love the quality. It was a long day. A looooong day. If you live on the west coast, be thankful. Nothing further.

Date: 01/20/23
Mileage: 322,581

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[JoeT4R]

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[Speedy]

Any reason you didn't use the 5100s again?

 

[JoeT4R]

Any reason you didn't use the 5100s again?

I wanted to have a nicer, softer ride. And through my research I discovered that the LC80 Tocikos would best suit my wants and needs. So far they have been excellent and take bumps in the road like a champ. They ride quite nicely and feel very smooth compared to the 5100's.

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[Speedy]

Gotcha. I heard good things about those Tocikos.

I've got the Bilstein 5100s and OME 906 springs in the rear of mine and find it rides very good but maybe I don't know what I'm missing lol.

 

[JoeT4R]

Gotcha. I heard good things about those Tocikos.



I've got the Bilstein 5100s and OME 906 springs in the rear of mine and find it rides very good but maybe I don't know what I'm missing lol.

This is the first time I've ever experienced the Tocikos in the rear of the truck. They feel a lot softer compared to the 5100's. I won't say "luxurious" but I can't seem to think of another word to describe it as. They're just less harsh I'd say and seem to have a bit better manners.

Then again, my 5100's had roughly 108K miles on them, so I can't compare these to a fresh set of those. I'm still rocking my LC80 springs with the same mileage as the 5100's that I took out. I think I'd recommend this setup for someone who wants a nice lift setup but wants to keep a nice soft ride.

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[octanejunkie]

The combo of the Toikco shocks and 861 coils seem a bit bouncy to me, I might be looking for something with better valving in the future. JM2C

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[JoeT4R]

The combo of the Toikco shocks and 861 coils seem a bit bouncy to me, I might be looking for something with better valving in the future. JM2C

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Have you tried LC80 springs from toyota?

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[JoeT4R]

Upcoming to-do list

- Starter replacement DONE
- Fix noise with rear shocks DONE
- Drain and fill ATF DONE
- Front brake pads/rotors/bleed system DONE
- Oil change DONE
- Tire rotation for sure, long overdue DONE
- Front diff drain plug extraction DONE
- Eimkeith PCK thing maybe?
- Front sway bar end links w/ bushings

Open to suggestions on this, too. Just shy of 323K right now.

UPDATE 3/15/23:

- MAF Sensor Replacement DONE
- New goody for suspension DONE

 

[Speedy]

My fluids are due and I got Lexus plugs for the front diff. They're a bolt instead of an inverted hex.