ill try and keep this short and simple. i have a 87 4runner 22re...seems like once a month my starter quits engaging. its happened 3 times now. the first two times i messed with the ground(cut it, re-soldiered it) and it started up just fine. until this 3rd time, the connection was BOMBPROOF, but it wont turn over. i checked all the fuses 3 times....
the weird thing is on this 3rd time i pop started it to park it at work, and when i got there just for the hell of it i tried starting it..and it started right up...
i get a huge discount on parts so im thinkin about ordering a new starter tomorrow, but i diddnt know if there is a relay or something else that these trucks are notorious for?? is that how the starter starts to fail?? also i tapped it with a hammer and that diddnt work either....

Im just guessing here, but you might have a bad starter relay, or the contacts in the starter could be going bad.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/

I get mine from a local auto electrical repair shop, and have NAPA do a bench check before it goes back into the spares or a rig.

I'd check the starter contacts before going out and replacing it. Much cheaper, even with a big discount on parts.

try going from the pos battery to the small conector on the starter.
my ign swich is worn out I just put in a push button.

oh make sure it is out of gear.

Do this simple test and it'll help you isolate the source of your problem:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#EasyTest

Pull the starter and check for worn contacts. Very common on these starters, and cheap to fix. Pretty easy to tell once you see them if they are too far gone. Had the same problem in my truck around 180,000km. Some days would be fine, other days, wouldn't even turn over.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />I've replaced 3 starters with the same problem.Next time it happens,try engaging the clutch cancel switch,I'm starting to think the clutch switch is causing the problem.I took my starter apart and it was perfect,Good luck.Oh yeah,I also keep a metal bar in my runner to bang on the starter when it acts up.works every time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

So you bang on the starter and it starts every time, and you think the clutch cancel switch is the problem? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

This is a perfect example of how aftermarket/rebuilt starters are JUNK. 9/10 times all you have to do is replace the $15 contacts in your starter and your good to go.

I agree. I like to start with the simple/cheap option, and work up to the last resort bash with a hammer option.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />