Best starter for the money today?

[2001LC]

I pulled my starter over the weekend PITA. I was planning on rebuilding myself, but have decided to just get a rebuilt. In calling around I understand there are different brands on the market. Edited: Rebuild myself.

Which one is best for the money, considering the PITA job to replace would be?

Edit: 3/24/16 To reflect thread and my desire to keep a working starter, that has worked for past 214K miles.

Denso is the only way to go, no other will be as reliable IMHO. Lifetime warranties of cheaper aftermarket are useless, when considering the labor to replace.

For 1998-2002:

All parts are availed from the Dealer or online to rebuild DIY. So we've some choices with the Denso; Buy a rebuilt $170 -$230, Replace contacts & plunger DIY $30. OR Complete rebuild DIY $ (part dependent).

Note: ~$210 just for a $5 boot, as it comes with armature housing. Boot protects positive cable from short if a foreign metal object falls under intake manifold. Short could be dangerous, if any gasoline in area at time. If someone finds a source for just boot, please post it.

For 2003-2007:

Only a few parts are available. Magnet Switch Assembly (solenoid) $100. Also the Brush Holder, Yoke, and Armature assembly sold as separate parts. No seals. Rebuild Denso may be best option in these years.
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Here's some picture of my 2001 DIY. I replaced: housing connector (engine wire harness), large O-rings, vent tube (miss handled), new contacts & plunger (Old's, worn but within spec), fresh greasing of gears & bearings. Cost ~$40. Next rebuilt I'll order all new seals, as well.

Crud buildup, boot & O-rings brittle;

Clean armature commutator under cut channels, with dental tool & 400 grit (what I hand lying around)

Clean and Round Out Commutator: Built jig. Along with long sand board support at far end (out of pic) and stopped in jig. Use with 400 grit (highest I had). Spinning armature (took ~20 minutes) to resurface, using light surface pressure and keep flat and exact same angle at all times. Near as good as a lathe for a Sunday tool.

Gears & bearing area had girt washed.

All parts cleaned, inspected, tested (per FSM) and greased ready to assemble:

The FSM has a very specific procedure for firmly holding contacts in place with a block of wood using hand press (clamp) with 210lb of pressure. This keeps alignment proper for health of contacts with plunger.

 

[arcteryx]

Denso, hands down. Amazon has them for about 200-225 when I got mine in the fall.

 

[bhicks]

X2 on Denso. Got mine at rockauto.com for a similar price as amazon. that was on the 80 series but I'm assuming the 100 should be similar in price.

 

[2001LC]

I agree Denso the best.

Weighting against something like CARQUEST for $60 (after core and discount). Which could be a Denso in disguise I suppose?

I'd like to get complete rebuild kit with brushes, seals and bearings. Do you know where one could be found that?

 

[2001LC]

I could keep my Denso and have shop rebuild for $110. I've had trouble with rebuilds in past, coming from what appeared to be saltwater areas. This way I know where it came from.

Anyone ever try this?

 

[TXLX100]

You can rebuild the denso. It's documented here. Highly recommend only replacing with denso reman or new if you can find one. It's not a 30 minute R&r if you get a low quality starter that fails.

 

[ton504]

It doesn't even make any sense to go aftermarket. Unless you like pulling the intake manifold for some odd reason.

 

[Landpimp]

Within 2 weeks of each other.


put a Denso in the 2000 (159k on original)

And Denso in 99 LX, at 180k, it had a Toyota(-84) reman put in at some point before 120k.

Would have put toyota reman back in, but had time issues.

Then after do the 2...I find a brand new Toyota reman in my parts stash, forgot I bought it soon after the 1st 100...to just have as a spare ....think I realized I wasn't gonna do it on the side if the road like a old 60...

Oh....both got there 1st new alts not long after...denso.

 

[2001LC]

I looked at a Advance Auto $73 starter, didn't like the looks of it. But found they have two different option on Denso one I can get for $150 plus tax.

Found three shops that will rebuild for me between $50 & & $180 depending on which shop and what parts are needed.

You can rebuild the denso. It's documented here. Highly recommend only replacing with denso reman or new if you can find one. It's not a 30 minute R&r if you get a low quality starter that fails.

I did buy the OEM plunger & contacts ~$35. Only threads I found dealt with these parts, not complete rebuild.

Having trouble sourcing seals, boot, brushes, bearings some of which I may not need. This is for complete rebuild. But "may" have found have found source today.

It doesn't even make any sense to go aftermarket. Unless you like pulling the intake manifold for some odd reason.

If I could find a rebuilt Denso marketing under rebuilders name at a deal, I'd grab it, but so for no luck. The one aftermarket I look at is smaller, with no boot and one vent on underside. I'd not buy it.

Within 2 weeks of each other.


put a Denso in the 2000 (159k on original)

And Denso in 99 LX, at 180k, it had a Toyota(-84) reman put in at some point before 120k.

Would have put toyota reman back in, but had time issues.

Then after do the 2...I find a brand new Toyota reman in my parts stash, forgot I bought it soon after the 1st 100...to just have as a spare ....think I realized I wasn't gonna do it on the side if the road like a old 60...

Oh....both got there 1st new alts not long after...denso.

You want to sell the Denso? PM me.

 

[TXLX100]

I looked at a Advance Auto $73 starter, didn't like the looks of it. But found they have two different option on Denso one I can get for $150 plus tax.

Found three shops that will rebuild for me between $50 & & $180 depending on which shop and what parts are needed.

I did buy the OEM plunger & contacts ~$35. Only threads I found dealt with these parts, not complete rebuild.

Having trouble sourcing seals, boot, brushes, bearings some of which I may not need. This is for complete rebuild. But "may" have found have found source today.

If I could find a rebuilt Denso marketing under rebuilders name at a deal, I'd grab it, but so for no luck. The one aftermarket I look at is smaller, with no boot and one vent on underside. I'd not buy it.

You want to sell the Denso? PM me.

Are you looking for a rebuilt denso starter?

 

[2001LC]

Are you looking for a rebuilt denso starter?

yes

 

[2001LC]

I pulled my starter not because of issue with it. But because Mickey & Minnie made a home under the intake, chewing through a knock sensor wire. So naturally wanted to do starter while in the area.

 

[TXLX100]

Try rockauto.com, Amazon, or a toyota/lexus dealer that sells parts online.

yes

 

[jemsec]

I pulled my starter not because of issue with it. But because Mickey & Minnie made a home under the intake, chewing through a knock sensor wire. So naturally wanted to do starter while in the area.

Had the same problem after letting it sit for a few months and got them both with a shopvac before they did any damage. Felt bad about the little ones though. For a few minutes. PETA will be after me.

 

[DFXR]

Camelback Toyota is showing 2001-2004 OEM starter ("Toyota Genuine Factory Part") for $208. You could probably do just as well or better with Beno or CDan, but I have ordered parts thru Camelback with zero issues and quick, free shipping.

If it was me I'd stop screwing around with anything aftermarket or off-branded and go Toyota (Denso).

What I am not clear on is the part number ending in -84... does that mean it's a reman? Even then I'd do it.

2000 Toyota Land Cruiser Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

 

[TXLX100]

Camelback Toyota is showing 2001-2004 OEM starter ("Toyota Genuine Factory Part") for $208. You could probably do just as well or better with Beno or CDan, but I have ordered parts thru Camelback with zero issues and quick, free shipping.

If it was me I'd stop screwing around with anything aftermarket or off-branded and go Toyota (Denso).

What I am not clear on is the part number ending in -84... does that mean it's a reman? Even then I'd do it.

2000 Toyota Land Cruiser Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

-84 is reman

 

[corleykj]

I did a rebuilt starter from Napa (lowest quality rebuild, I found out a year later). It failed after one year. When returned to Napa under warranty the GOOD sales person said nobody should have sold me the re-manufactured starter I bought a year earlier. It only had a couple parts replaced when they rebuilt it. A snowstorm was coming that night (with 12-18" of snow estimated over a few days) and we needed the 100 back on the road. I was willing to do another Napa with a higher quality rebuild, but they couldn't get it in stock soon enough. I went with a Toyota Rebuilt starter from the dealer (around $375 I think?).

I have since rebuilt some starters, and wish I would have rebuilt my original Toyota one the first time it went out. In my opinion if you are handy enough to remove the starter, you have the ability to rebuild it using the resources on MUD.

 

[2001LC]

I did a rebuilt starter from Napa (lowest quality rebuild, I found out a year later). It failed after one year. When returned to Napa under warranty the GOOD sales person said nobody should have sold me the re-manufactured starter I bought a year earlier. It only had a couple parts replaced when they rebuilt it. A snowstorm was coming that night (with 12-18" of snow estimated over a few days) and we needed the 100 back on the road. I was willing to do another Napa with a higher quality rebuild, but they couldn't get it in stock soon enough. I went with a Toyota Rebuilt starter from the dealer (around $375 I think?).

I have since rebuilt some starters, and wish I would have rebuilt my original Toyota one the first time it went out. In my opinion if you are handy enough to remove the starter, you have the ability to rebuild it using the resources on MUD.

Keeping mine is my thinking as well. But as I said; all parts are difficult to source. I looked at a few cheap remanufactured form parts store and they are smaller/junky looking. I was not about to give up my Denso core for junk.

Dealers only carry the contacts and plunger. I wanted the seals and boot at minimum, and possible brushes and bearings. In calling around I found some rebuilder shop. These professionals rebuilder shops have a direct pipeline into Denso for parts. One guy really seem to know these Denso starters. So much so, that I drop mine off with him, and currently waiting for estimate on rebuilding. He spoke about putting on lath to true out armature.

He told that if I buy a rebuilt Denso starter it as good as new. He also said; they are seeing counterfeit from China. So beware of cheap ones claiming to be Denso.

 

[corleykj]

That is crazy there is denso knock off stuff out there now! Parts to rebuild your starter do seem hard to find sometimes, I couldn't find parts to rebuild my wife's honda starter yesterday and am leaving town soon. I needed it done quick, and therefore bought a new starter and bolted it on.

I am curious what the shop estimates for the cost to rebuild yours.

 

[2001LC]

Just got the estimate, it's so low I hate to say. I've ask Bob (the manger of the shop) to get me pictures of the rebuild. I'll post them up when I get them and info on the shop. Provided I'm happy with the final product. I will say this now, out of five shop I called, his hourly rate was the best, and they offered free teardown and estimate. Low price concerned me, but doesn't mean poor workmanship, but still I was leery. I ended up choosing this shop because of Bob's knowledge of the Denso when we spoke on the phone.

You may think this funny, but I understood when Bob gave the estimate today, saying: You've got a good starter "it smell good". If you've ever smelt one that has overheated, you know what he's talking about. He also asked if I was in a hurry, which I replied "no". He said good, because it was going to take a day to get the seals & boot. No other shop I talked with would even replace the seals & boot, they just say you don't need them.

I'll be returning the contacts and plunger to the Dealer, with the refund I'll pay for the rebuild.

I love it when a plan comes together.