Quote
...as long as the pulley's stay in position as they were when you start the procedure and replace the belt, all should bve good yes?


Yes, if you haven't rotated the pulleys, and line up the marks, everything should be fine.

I don't remember the belt being too tight when we did the Tacoma ( http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/timing_belt/ ) but since then I have heard this from other owners. They dealt with it by removing an idler pulley as you suggested.
Good Luck! It's always risky working on the Wife's stuff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Wheeling a Stepside Tacoma on 37s
Exploring in a T4R Ltd V8