Regional differences in emissions rules can cause manufacturers to supply different equipment for cars that get sold in different states. It could be something as simple as differently shaped bell housing or ring gear that trickled down from another change. There are also cold weather and hot weather versions of many cars that aren't obvious when you buy them. Honestly it could be a lot of reasons and it's probably something inconsequential.
Bosch sold off their reman business to a chinese company -- and I'm still bitter about it. I'm not sure if that's all Bosch alternators and starters or just certain ones, but I got one of the bad ones.
If you're game to save a few hundred $, consider a rebuild kit. Honda/OEM brushes, contacts, and some springs for my Gen 7 were under $50. The rebuild is easy enough and took me maybe 2 hours, not really knowing what I was doing. Two years later and it's still working flawlessly. I assume there's also a brush kit for the Gen 8 starter.
If you're game to save a few hundred $, consider a rebuild kit. Honda/OEM brushes, contacts, and some springs for my Gen 7 were under $50. The rebuild is easy enough and took me maybe 2 hours, not really knowing what I was doing. Two years later and it's still working flawlessly. I assume there's also a brush kit for the Gen 8 starter.
On Toyota's usually it is regional. If you lived in the a Winter Climate and took delivery in that state you got a larger alternators, gear reduction starter, larger capacity battery, and larger washer solvent bottle than someone in a non-Winter Region.
So if you took delivery in Georgia for instance the 4Runner had a non-gear reduction starter, a very small washer solvent bottle, a smaller 550CCA battery, and a smaller lower output alternator than if you took Delivery in Michigan or New Jeresy for instance.
In California it does not get cold so it would have a non-gear reduction starter from the oem. The same car or truck from Toyota sold in Michigan or New Jersey would have a gear reduction starter. THe washer solvent would jug/bottle would also be 3x the size in a cold state.
In California it does not get cold so it would have a non-gear reduction starter from the oem. The same car or truck from Toyota sold in Michigan or New Jersey would have a gear reduction starter. THe washer solvent would jug/bottle would also be 3x the size in a cold state.
From your perspective, how much would you guess the longevity of the starter from a southern region be reduced if was permanently moved to the Midwest?
As I recall, it was the local stealership. The brushes and contact points are legitimate Honda parts.
The actual rebuild is a bit involved but not difficult if you go slow.
On the 7th gen you need to pull the intake manifold (and air hose, etc.) to reach the unit. Apart from a hidden electrical clip that is a PITA, the wrenching is easy.
As I recall, it was the local stealership. The brushes and contact points are legitimate Honda parts.
The actual rebuild is a bit involved but not difficult if you go slow.
On the 7th gen you need to pull the intake manifold (and air hose, etc.) to reach the unit. Apart from a hidden electrical clip that is a PITA, the wrenching is easy.
Not sure but I can tell you that my 1986 4Runner was purchased in Alabama while my family was at Ft. Benning in GA. When I replaced the starter in 1993 I was living in Michigan attending University and replaced it with a rebuilt gear reduction unit. On the other hand I have owned Toyota that are 31 years old and still have their factor starter but had gone through OEM alternator and 3 aftermarket ones. My current daily driver is 24 years old and the starter and alternator are still factory origanal.
I do not think the gear reduction starter was ever about life span but ease of starting in cold weather. The gear reduction starters where smaller, lighter, and spun the engine over faster while requireing less CCA to get the job done combined with bigger battery. There was a time when Toyota prided itself as an engineering company and over built everything they sold.
Like many things in life it does not matter if you are sanding or scraping no matter if it is steel, copper, wood the secret is knowing when to stop. I seldom go for that level of mirror bright clean fresh copper. It comes off far easier than it goes back on!
A little bit of low temp. grease is your friend.
Good Job.
On Toyotas it has been my experince that the brushes wear out, the end bearing and anything made of copper. If it is on the underside of the vechicle in a state that uses salt on the roads the Bendix will often fail first. If it is on a car and the starter is not on the bottom of the engine and is shielded by the transmission under hood the Bendix almost never fails and it will be the brushes. Outside of states that use salt they can last so long that it is a crap shoot what fails first.
