REAL TIME - Fan belt 2nd opinions sought

[stayalert]

Friend called - went to start '94 cruiser and fan belt snapped. He noticed the obvious - 2 seemingly redundant belts. My thoughts are to drive home and replace both soon. Anything I'm missing? I understand that two belts are for increased belt surface area and can reduce wear on water pump bearings (double belts=more contact area=less slippage=less tension needed)...anyway....he's about 15o mles from home at the in laws....any reason he shouldn't consider driving home with his wife and three daughters rather than arranging some cockammamee car swap and return to get the truck....Obviously a big factor is what sort of folks the in-laws are but for this scenario lets just say they're great...

Many thanks for any thoughts, comments and opinions..

Rob M

 

[DTAYLOR]

alt belts

If one alternator belt snaps it should get home if not far, likely the second is not far behind. Repalce both ASAP

 

[firetruck41]

I would drive it, maybe buy a set of belts to have in case the other one "goes" on the way home. I think that is part of the design, to be able to keep going (for a little while) if you break one belt.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I agree. Drive home and replace in the driveway. Tell him he can get a matched set of Gates belts for security on the trip from Napa. The toothed belts make a bit more noise, but the'll get him home if he has to change on the side of the road.

 

[spartan]

Drive it home. Usually the belt that shreds makes the other one shred. He's lucky. Replace both ASAP with Toyota OEM belts. Less expensive than after market actually. Don't spend the money on Gate's belts that you don't need. Buy the cheapest spares that Autozone has for emergency use.

 

[semlin]

the oem belts are cheaper than the gates replacements.

 

[cruiserdan]

90916-02353-83


The list price is about 13 bucks for the set.

 

[stayalert]

Thanks for the responses. My friend made it home. hip hip hooray for redundant belts. I couldn't help but needle him tho....About 6 monthes ago I was replacing the belts on my (same year as his) 80 and bought two sets of belts with his truck in mind....He declined.....oh well...

 

[NorCalDoug]

I'm sure this is not news for most here but...I carry an old set of belts in my rig in the event that my current belts shred.


actually...anal me...I usually have a new set with me too

 

[Eduardo96FZJ80]

I'm sure this is not news for most here but...I carry an old set of belts in my rig in the event that my current belts shred.


actually...anal me...I usually have a new set with me too

I use to carry a used set also, but since they are only $13 I replace them as soon as they get noisy. So now I only grab them if I am going on an adventure