bad alternator or battery?

Is replacing my alternator as bad or more difficult than replacing the starter?

 

Have not replaced a starter... I did replace my alternator, it was a bugger. Drop the skid, front torsion bar, main drive belt, pull the power steering pump off its perch. Leave the PS hoses.connected. pull the passenger front tire and then you can get to the alternator. I might have left something out, but I think that is the majority of it.

After I got the alternator loose, I brought it out the front near the bottom of the radiator. I had to compress the lower hose to do so.

I would not buy aftermarket, I found a low mile denso from a 2021 tundra for $120 shipped on LKQ.

Good luck.

 

Fairly similar in terms of difficulty, maybe a little bit easier... but definitely still a PITA

With the amount of work you have to put in to do the job (whether you're doing it yourself or paying someone to do it), I'd recommend you get a new OE Denso Alternator Assembly w/Regulator; also and stay away from typical parts house units as recommended above.

Also, make sure you order the correct unit by VIN as there were (2) different units installed on our rigs. Most often it was determined by whether or not you had a tow package, but I'm not sure if that is the absolute factor... not only is the output different, but the connections are as well. So, I'd search by VIN and make sure you're VIN is entered at checkout to avoid getting the wrong part.

Fred Anderson Toyota is still doing an additional 25% plus free shipping right now, and that's off their already discounted prices (from MSRP), so many of us have been sitting at about 50% or better off MSRP plus free shipping w/our recent orders from them

 

Depends on the issue. I'd rather replace a battery before the alternator or the starter. I've replaced a starter on the 5.7 but had more issues with batteries going bad than anything else.

 

Both are a bit of a PITA. I will be replacing my alt next month. Nothing wrong with it, but I am replacing my idler, tensioner, water pump, flushing the radiator, and flushing the power steering. Figured might as well take care of all of it while I am there.