Would you buy a used starter from a low mileage Tundra?

If you could buy a starter from a Tundra with less than 40K on it for about half the cost of new would you? I'm on the fence on this one. Normally I just buy the OEM version new, not even remanufactured, when it comes to parts but my Tundra rarely gets used. In the last 5 years it has maybe 5,000 miles put on it. I don't see myself ever driving it much. It never sees winter so the underside of the truck looks like new.

I think the solenoid went as the relay in the fuse box is working. I can hear it click plus when I put a jumper across two wires going from power to the starter it's drawing power but the solenoid isn't making a noise nor is it turning over. It's possible the wire going to it is damaged but when I touch the jumper wire to the terminals you get plenty of spark so it's drawing current.

I'm thinking that if the solenoid is bad I could replace it and have a spare starter in case the new one goes. I can't say I look forward to the work needed to swap it out but I do have a 2 post lift so no crawling under the truck and all the bolts come out easily.

 

I would if I needed one.

 

I would buy used parts off a low mileage truck before I would buy new aftermarket parts. 1st choice would be brand new Toyota factory stuff, but it's usually very expensive.
So far I've bought factory seat covers and factory fog lights, used.
I banged up the front end in an accident and the shop used a lot of aftermarket shit. Headlights, front grille, etc.
It's all junk. I would've preferred they pulled original parts off a used low mile Tundra.
Shit, I don't even care about the mileage on most stuff, as long as it's in great shape.

 

I just changed my starter on my 5.7 Tundra. What a P.I.T.A getting it out. I wouldn't put anything in but a new Toyota starter. Mine was slightly smaller than the old 1.

 

A Denso reman or that low mileage part would be my pick in that order. I would never stray to non-Denso alternator or starter. Just not worth the labor to do it twice when oem stuff is good for 200k plus.

 

This. It’s the labor that’s really going to kill you. Buy the new Toyota part if you can afford it. Or a used one if you must. But don’t buy the aftermarket Chinese reman garbage from autozone.

 

Considering the labor involved I would only go with new OEM

 

With it being such a PITA to change, new OEM is the only way I would go. You don't want to have to do it twice.

 

I've watched a few videos on different ways to swap it out and I've done worse. The labor involved doesn't bother me too much but I have the tools and the skills. I'll get the low mileage used starter. Even if it only lasts 100k miles that'll be a lifetime at the rate I've been using the truck.

 

Not sure I would take the chance - I am of the opinion that the cost difference would be negligible enough on the part to bite the bullet and buy new oem. When replacing something that is obviously vital to the operation of the truck with the fact that it isn’t easy to replace, I would just do it right the first time.

 

It looks to me like you live were it snows. I do as well, I don't even drive mine once they start salting and I bought my Tundra from Virgina Beach. I can post pictures of the rust on my old starter.

 

My Tundra came from South Carolina and not a thing on it is rusty. Every bolt I've had to remove came right out. Normally I'm a do it once and forget about it type of person. Toyota makes reliable stuff so a used starter out of a 2020 with 38k miles still has tons of life left in it. I don't mind the labor part. Since it's not a daily driver and most likely isn't going to get used until late spring next year I'll take the chance.

I asked the question more to see if other people were like me. I have friends who are cheap and will pick up that nickel without realizing they are spending a dime to do it. I'm the type of person who rarely buys cheap. Even most of my tools are more expensive ones. I proactively replaced the water pump on this Tundra and went with an Aisin pump. It was cheaper than the Toyota boxed pump but the same. If I was going to buy new it would be a Denso or Toyota starter (which ever was cheaper). I wouldn't even bother with remanufactured and not going to go with any other brands. Sure I could get a new Chinese starter for cheaper than a used low mileage Denso starter and it could last for longer than I own the Tundra but I wouldn't.

It was surprisingly hard to commit to use for me. But, like I said, it'll probably get started several dozen times a year. Usually once a month I'll start it up and let it idle.