Starter motor reliability for the 4.7L V-8?

[ATBScott]

Hi - I have been searching the 120 and 100 series forums and not able to find anything on this...

As I mentioned in my first post, I am a newbie here and shopping for a 4Runner, GX470 or LX470 (450 even...?)

I've learned that the starter motor on the 4.7L V-8 is nestled in under the intake manifold, and a replacement or fix on this is an all-day (or longer) job to replace if the started fails. What I am wondering is, how many of you out there have had issues with the starter on your GX or V-8 4Runner? If you have or haven't - how many miles do you have on your rig? This is making me wonder if I should focus on the 4Runner with the 4.0 V-6... Or an LX450/Cruiser with the straight 6? I know all vehicles have some Achilles heel in their make-up, but I wonder about this... Installing the starter in the engine seems both brilliant and idiotic. Takes up normally unoccupied space, probably much better protected from water/mud, but inaccessible - can't give it a rap with a hammer or wrench in the field if the solenoid won't trip, etc... not to mention replacing it.

 

[Nothinghead]

Hi - I have been searching the 120 and 100 series forums and not able to find anything on this...

As I mentioned in my first post, I am a newbie here and shopping for a 4Runner, GX470 or LX470 (450 even...?)

I've learned that the starter motor on the 4.7L V-8 is nestled in under the intake manifold, and a replacement or fix on this is an all-day (or longer) job to replace if the started fails. What I am wondering is, how many of you out there have had issues with the starter on your GX or V-8 4Runner? If you have or haven't - how many miles do you have on your rig? This is making me wonder if I should focus on the 4Runner with the 4.0 V-6... Or an LX450/Cruiser with the straight 6? I know all vehicles have some Achilles heel in their make-up, but I wonder about this... Installing the starter in the engine seems both brilliant and idiotic. Takes up normally unoccupied space, probably much better protected from water/mud, but inaccessible - can't give it a rap with a hammer or wrench in the field if the solenoid won't trip, etc... not to mention replacing it.

195k and no problems here. My father had a Tundra with the same engine and 220k with no problems.

 

[TahoeLX450]

195k and no problems here. My father had a Tundra with the same engine and 220k with no problems.

My friend has a GX470 with 388K no starter issues so far. However, it was used for longer hauls on the freeway and not started as many times a one with nearly 400K which was used for short trips and the starter used exponentially more. If your looking for a GX with under 175K you're probably good. Other people can chime in if they needed to change out a starter.