I noticed that there is a small access cover on the inside of the right-front fender on my '85 truck. Attached are some photos with it on or off.
Any idea why Toyota put this cover there?

 

I remove it to have better access to the oil filter in my 88s

 

I think it's helpful with replacing the starter, fuel filter and a few other things around the intake area. I didn't know about it when I was rebuilding the engine last winter and thought it was gunna be a real job to ever replace the starter. I had the passenger side up against the wall in the garage so could not get to it that way but most of the intake area parts were out so it was doable.

 

Yup. Oil filter, fuel filter (just TRY to change it out without that panel!), starter, starter solenoid, oil pressure sender/switch for the dash panel idiot light, several plugs in the wire loomes going aft are right there, and I'm sure there's more.

I don't know just when Toyota started putting the panel in, but I'll wager more than one shade-tree mechanic made their own before Toyota did.

Have fun!
Pat☺

 

Interesting. I did the starter once, and I had no problem getting to it from above and below. I also do the oil filter from below, but I have to remove the splash pan, and the oil sensor is always in the way. And I have replaced the oil pressure sensor from below.
Some of these would probably had been easier had I known about that cover.

Next oil change I'll try it through the cover.

 

Coolant lines also, basicly everything below the intake and above the cross member. Pulling the tire off helps too. So you don't have to lay on the ground and reach up dodging falling dirt, instead you can press your face against the inner mud guards.

 

Okay... while we're solving Pickup mysteries - what's this for?

 

Yes, starter access. Absolutely no issue when I did mine.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...l#post52230260

 

I asked the same question, never got a response.............

 

Funny, my 84 doesn't have that panel
Hump

 

Anyone have the specs on the bolts that hold this little panel on? I have the panel, but cannot find the bolts in my bucket of Toyota bolts. It looks like 4 bolts hold it on there from this picture, I'd guess they were 10mm bolts, a picture of the bolts would help me, I can't imagine that I threw them away, I'm hoping I just overlooked them in my bolt stash.

 

Hi Cory,
Just the common M6 with 10-mm heads. Same bolt that hold the injector resistor and the starter relay.

 

Thank you Ray! I'll go look again when I get a chance.