Mine is dead as a doornail. I got a new one coming in the morning, and gonna change it tomorrow night. Anyone got any tips, or is it pretty straight forward? My dad is gonna help me, and he has done them on several vehicles back in the 60's and 70's.

I haven't had to do the one on the 4Runner (yet) but have loosen the thing to replace the belt.
I have replaced alternators on other vehicles before.

Disconnect the ground to the battery before touching the hot lead on the alternator.
You'll need a pry bar to apply tension.

I put a new Alt in my 1990 a month ago. very easy job took 30 mins. Take off the air filter box and the surroundin hoses and you can acess it very easily. You'll need a crowbar or somethin to push the alt tight before you bolt it down so the belt is tight.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Puke:
<strong>I put a new Alt in my 1990 a month ago. very easy job took 30 mins. Take off the air filter box and the surroundin hoses and you can acess it very easily. You'll need a crowbar or somethin to push the alt tight before you bolt it down so the belt is tight.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">did you not have to touch the distributor at all?

Nope didnt have to do anything with the distributor. Just get that air intake system outta the way and the alt is right there.

Yep Josh... amazing, they are pretty much the same as the ones in the 70's.. be carefull with the plastic cap on the battrey feed wire, it can break easy.. No matter if it does, just a heads up.. No change the one in my 84 GMC van for me and I will do your 4Runner,, How's that for a deal??

Changed it out in about 30 minutes. Easy. 1/2 banana. You still have that parts truck Lee?