How hard of project is it to change the starter? Scale of 1-5 5 being the hardest.

 

Usually a tight fit, cramped location but not terribly hard to do in terms of tools or skill required. Best option is to repair the existing starter, especially if it just has worn copper contacts in the starter solenoid, which is the #1 most common problem. $10 or so and you can get the parts, takes less time to repair the starter than it would to drive down to the parts store for the replacement unit:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

worth repeating:

It's only about a 1, but removing it for the first time makes it feel like a 5. Figure 30 minutes to an hour to figure out how to arrange the wobbles in sequence to reach the bolts and break them loose. That's the hardest part.

 

I had my old one rebuilt. The parts were only like $14 but it cost me $75 bucks to have a shop do it.

 

The stealer qouted me $424 worse case.

 

Try to rebuild it yourself. Once you get it out you'll be amazed at how simple it is to replace the contacts. Then you will have an OEM starter with new contacts that should last the life of the truck.

 

Does anyone have which contacts I will need for my starter?

 

You need to open it up and see or give the dealer the part number off of it (also requires getting it outta there). For some reason they used the offset contact on different sides, different Ts (least that's what I got from the local parts guy). You should be able to buy all 3 and return the unused one.

 

Contacts will vary with engine and year, but typically the V6 engines use the A and B style contacts:



http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...OnlineOrdering

 

Thanks 4Crawler I just received one of each of the contacts and plan on working this project tommorow.

 

I found this link it has some more pictures although blurry.
Link