How do I Change an alternator on a 1988 Toyota pickup truck?

Answer 1

On a **1986** Toyota Pickup (Hopefully they are similar): Unhook the positive end of your battery from the rest of your truck's electrical with a wrench. Next, there is a plug on the back of the alternator, push in the clip on the side and unplug. Next to the plug us a rubber housing, pull this back and take the screw off, removing the wire cable it was holding. There are now only two bolts holding the alternator. The first one is up top and connects to a rail that guides the alternator left and right (to tighten the alternator belt) unscrew this. Next, remove the trucks skid plate up front, there should be 4 bolts holding it in place. Once this is done, take out the coolant hose (a 1' hose with a slight S-Bend in it, it may take some wiggling to get it off). Next remove the lower bolt from underneath the alternator and pull the alternator out from the bottom. Once you replace the alternator you need to tighten the belt, it needs to be about 80 +/- 20 lbf You may have to take your truck into a local shop to have them tighten the belt for you ($30 labor) if you don't have the right torque equipment.

It is a good habit to always disconnect the negative battery post first when you start the job and reconnect the negative battery post last when done with the job.