2006 SR5 DC starter replacement ?

Looking for some opinions about weather to replace the starter myself or have the dealership do it. I just received a 25% off service and parts coupon in the mail.
I usually do my own work but the thought of being bent over in the engine bay for hours has me
thinking twice. The starter is actually working fine but with 300k plus it's just a matter of time before it fails. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

If it hasn’t failed, don’t mess with it. Preventative maintenance should be used on maintenance items. A starter is a pass or fail for me. These are highly durable units. Mine has 265k miles on it. Original starter with new contacts at 112k or so. Original owner must have twisted that key a lot before I got it. Still strong like Bull.

 

I would leave it alone unless it started to act up on you. I don't think a starter fails instantaneously unless you do something seriously wrong and burn it out prematurely.

That said, I would avoid engine bay cleaning and getting any water in there that could pool and corrode the starter contacts.

 

^^ 1st answer, also the best answer.

 

The contacts I’m referring to are internal. The starter has to be removed, the cap taken off the back and the contacts are accessed inside.

 

I’m still on the original starter on my truck at 465,xxx Kms. No plans on replacing it until it fails.

 

If, and that's a big if, your truck was sold with the "Cold Weather" package, it would have the Heavy Duty starter.

HD = Stronger...

 

D

Yes, what @N84434 said. Check it on toyota.com/owners....if it has the HD starter I would not even consider replacing preventatively unless you had to have that intake manifold off for another reason altogether.

 

I hope its just a glitch on the website, but I just tried to pull up my window sticker on Toyota Owners under vehicle specs and the website just blinks but doesn't load the sticker. I guess I should have saved a screen shot years ago.

 

Remember to scroll down. If you don't, it looks just like that: Like it's giving you the box back. It took me a few before I realized it. I also notice they changed up the link or something, or maybe Google has the Owners login area URL cached. Or they're updating the website. Strange, I got to it the other day without having to login, now it wants me to login, and I can't find the URL I used for whatever reason

 

I think there is something going on with the website...several things are screwed up at the moment....this is not unusual for toyota.com/owners unfortunately.

I just typed the above and then tried to login to toyota.com/owners before I hit send and just got this...so, yea, it's having problems.

 

There is no cold weather package on my truck, sounds like I should just let it be.
I appreciate everyone's input.

 

Timing belt and ball joints in good shape?

 

All in good shape. Timing belt was done around 270k and did front end refresh at 250k. OEM ball joints and tie rod ends, ACdelco pro upper and lower control arms.
I really enjoyed doing that stuff. It was many years before the truck really needed anything. Also center bearing and ujoints.

 

That 25% off coupon may be best left alone then. You save 100% of the money you don't spend.

 

I think my wife might use it, she has a 2015 Highlander with seat heaters that work intermittently. I'd rather not mess with them.

 

Do I just enter my vin into toyotaowners.com to see if I have the cold weather package?

 

Register, then add your vin, then click on "View Specs" to see how it was delivered when new...easy peasy...once they get the website working 100%. Right now "View Specs" is not working...

 

You may also want to assign your truck to yourself over there if you haven't already. Not like Toyota is actively issuing recalls much for our trucks at this point, but ... at least you'll know if there are any open recalls on your truck, and you'll be alerted if anything else comes up.

 

As of right now it's still not working. Wanting to see the specs on the 2006 the fellow posted about the other day....oh well !