mine just went ... heard from a friend with a 4runner (3vz-fe) that he needed to unbolt some motor mounts and lift the engine to get the starter out.

Can anyone confirm this is the same for the 5z engines?
or can i squeeze the damn thing out through somewhere..?

thanks

 

Just take off the Skid Plate.

 

Most will squeeze thru.

 

With a universal joint/wobble extension and some persistence, it took me about 25 minutes to change out mine. Should be very simple.

 

Tell your friend with the 3V to make his life easier next time - use the access panel in the passenger side wheel well.

And no, the FSM doesn't even mention it!

 

there was no access panel for me. with about an hour of wrenching awkwardly, i was able to unbolt my starter. i put my tetris skills to use and was able to twist it around in such a way that i could slide it out through the wheel well and do the reverse to put it back in. i could have gotten it from underneath if i could have remove the piece of metal behind it, but the bolts are rusted solid.