Best starter for the money today?

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sean2202 said:
How did your rebuilt starter turn out. Thinking of rebuilding mine when I have intake off. What parts do you recommend replacing. Attached is the breakdown of my starter. What grease did you use? I did read somewhere of someone using a pigtail connector on starter contacts to jump if needed. What is your thoughts on that.

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If you do find the need to pull intake manifold to get at that rear water bypass, then for sure do the starter.

You could get; Contacts 28226A, 28226. Plunger 28235. That is what most just do.

I'd recommend also have on hand: Nut 90179-08146 (old nut can just be cleaned). Two vent boots 28199 (the retaining clips get a little brittle). Seals two 28120A and one 28011B (IIRC this is a seal) and 28175A (mine was reusable).

I'll bet your brushes and bearing are ok.

Alternator Parts - Starter Parts & Repair kits may have the boot that's attached/comes to/with 28120, I did not check. My boot was very brittle and just fell apart.
 
@2001LC thanks again for the help. Do you know anybody that has used that tool you speak of? Some reviews question the durability. What do you think of the pigtail idea for emergency?
What is in pic #2 closest to the camera. Is this to keep at a certain angle? Great job by the way.
 
sean2202 said:
@2001LC thanks again for the help. Do you know anybody that has used that tool you speak of? Some reviews question the durability. What do you think of the pigtail idea for emergency?
What is in pic #2 closest to the camera. Is this to keep at a certain angle? Great job by the way.
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I saw tool on Saturday morning car show ad. Didn't see reviews, that is concerning for the price. Claim to be high torque and strong, but.... I'd break bolt loose with a breaker bar first, then use the tool. The back bolts are what make the starter a PITA. This tool may be the trick to make an easy job of it. I'm going to keep my eye out for the tool or one like it locally.

Pig tail is interesting idea. Are you thinking for use with broken ignition switch shaft or what? If starting system failed from some electrical short issue, not sure it would start anyway. That a question for someone more knowledgeable than I on our electrical systems.

Exactly, it's a patio bar stool I used to line up my long sanding block. The weight of the long sanding block with very fine sanding paper aided in keeping light even pressure on commutator. The lathe took about 10 minutes to dream up and build. Cleaning out groves (undercut) then spinning commutator on lathe until clean/polished took much longer.
 
Like anything I am interested in how it works. I assume there is a chain and gears inside. I read that someone uses it with an m12 impact. Not sure how long it would last doing that. I think you are right break it loose first and then use it to spin bolt off.
I read that someone on here did the pigtail on the starter but I couldn't' find any info on it. Thought it was a good idea for an emergency.
 
I used a universal with socket and extension, worked ok but a PITA to get right combo and get too the bolt. One poster used a piece of wood from fender to fender to lie on, this would help a lot (I was thinking as I'm sitting in valley of engine). Then I saw this tool next day in on TV with lifetime & satisfaction guarantee. The two ideas together would make this job a snap.

Additional I pulled throttle body (TB) to make cleaning it easy, but you can just leave in. Most just reuse intake to head gasket and intake to TB, I replaced all gaskets and seals (TB, intake, injectors and starter).

You'd probable be better off draining coolant from block as well as radiator.
 
I just learned we've a differences in starters over the years in the 100 series.

At Genuine OEM STARTER Parts for 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser Base - Olathe Toyota Parts Center I see a part number change for 2003, with a 3rd solenoid part # change in newer.
Alternator Parts - Starter Parts - Repair kits show 3/2000 a change for starter.

Toyota Dealer parts department just informed me they can't get contacts & plunger for the 2007. They've order the 2002 to see if I can use.

Anyone have a good handle on what difference are for what year(s)???
 
For 1998-2002:
All parts to completely DIY are availed from the Toyota Dealer. Average cost $35.

For 2003-2007:
Toyota Dealer only have a few parts are available. Magnet Switch Assembly (solenoid) $100. Also the Brush Holder, Yoke, and Armature assembly sold as separate parts. No seals, contacts or plunger. Rebuild Denso may be best option in these years.

I updated OP with this info.
 
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I took apart a reman Denso starter to inspect the quality of the rebuild. Any tips to retract the brushes so I can insert the commutator? Or do I just need to remove them first? If so do I slip the coiled springs off their posts?

Incidentally, mine did not come with a new plunger, though others apparently have. I guess it's a lottery depending on their judgement of the wear on the old one. Everything else looks pretty good. I'm debating weather to go ahead and grab a new plunger.
 
Slide amature end bearing against brushes, then press each brush over bearing, then over commutator. A small flat bladed screwdriver may be of aid, with flat side against brush to press open. Just avoid scratching brushes. Then finish up with placing end cap on.

You can also prop open brushes with a socket, then push socket out with end bearing.
 
@2001LC on the denso starter that you have there should be a sticker with a denso number on it. What is that number for 98-02 or 03-07? Curious what the real difference is between the two. What I have found recently is that many applications take the same denso starter. Our FSM has a very good procedure for servicing our starters. The best I have seen so far even from other manufacturers (Kubota) that use denso products.

One thing I do now with starters is bench test the speed of the gear as it spins with a phototach. Not needed but fun to have an idea of RPM.

Did your 2002 plunger and contacts fit your 2007 starter?

Also a GREAT guy that knows all kinds of starters and alternators is Gary Sneath in Poland NY. Tell him what you have and he usually can walk you through the potential problem on the phone.
 
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I've not tried the old plunger kit on newer starter.

In 2003 IIRC Toyota introduced the auto crank function. With this introduction they changed the solenoid and no long offer a plunger and contact kit. Instead they sell us a SWITCH ASSY, MAGNET STARTER AKA magnetic solenoid for $100. No reason to DIY, when you consider we can get a re-manufactured Denson for $100. BTW only re-manufactured are available today.
06 reman
Reman starter 06.webp

06 believed to be factory
Factory starter 06.webp

01 believed to be factory
starter 01.webp
 
^ I looked up starters on partsouq a while back and you can actually get a “new” starter but the cost is prohibitive. I recall close to $900!
 
Your right! I just saw 17 avail in Dubai at $515 ea. I wonder if those are old stock or it's just Denso USA not making.
 
Odd...Denso listed all the same;

LEXUS GX470 2004-2009
LEXUS LX470 2001-2007
TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2003-2009
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 2000-2007
TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2001-2009
TOYOTA TUNDRA 2001-2009
 
I've rebuilt 00 and 01 LX470 which Toyota makes available the plunger and contact.
I've two or three 06 & 07 starters lying around here that I could not get (at local Dealership) plunger and contacts only rebuilt Denso starter or Denso SWITCH ASSY, MAGNET STARTER
 

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Curious are all Denso remanufactured starters made in China now? My remanufactured Denso 280-0233 (unsure of age) says “remanufactured in USA” on it. On Amazon Denso 280-0233 states remanufactured in China now.
 
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