1995 4Runner SR5 185k. I'm looking to put some new heads on this motor. All the manuals tell me that it is necessary to remove the crank bolt when dealing with the timing belt. If I want to keep the timing belt that's on there, since it's newer, is there really a need to take it off completely? Can't I just lay it out of the way until after the new heads are on, then slip it back over the sprockets? This is one step that I'd rather avoid. Please help. Brian

 

Could be done, you only have to remove the crank bolt to get the lower timing cover off. If you loosen the belt tensioner you'll be able to remove the belt from the cam sprockets without taking it off the bottom. It shouldn't be too hard to get the belt lined up with the teeth on the crank sprocket after.

Just be careful you don't get coolant or oil on the belt, they don't like that.