Below are a few tips that will allow you to adjust your own valves on your 3rz/5vz (2.7L and 3.4L) motors, without buying a bunch of fancy tools!


1) Watch this video (14 min):

This guy walks through all the steps of doing a valve adjustment without using the $60 Toyota SST. This thread is supplementary to this video


2) DON'T BUY the Toyota SST! Buy a motorcycle shim tool instead.
The SST is very hard to use on our motors, but a motorcycle shim tool is much easier to use after some slight modifications.

I bought a Motion Pro Kawasaki Valve Shim Tool ($9): https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0019


3) Modify the motorcycle tool:
To modify this tool to work with our engines, you can do two things

Start by cutting off the skinniest end of the bucket holder tool (Using bolt cutters or angle grinder)

You need to save the two thickest parts (The middle and right sides in the picture above). The thickest part is used for all the valves except the very rear most, for which you use the second-thickest.

You can then just use a zip tie to hold this modified piece so that you can line it up with the buckets




Or, if you have access to a welder, make yourself a tool like this, using the two ends of the little piece:





This tool is really nice and is much easier to use than the zip tie. This mimicks one of the tools that you get when you buy the Toyota SST:
Here you can see it in use, holding down the bucket after I have depressed it with the little lever thing:




4) Miscellaneous tips
After you have made/acquired your tools, use the process outlined in the video in step one.

I will add two other things:
1- The easiest way to do this on your DD is to open the valve cover once, measure what shims you need to buy, then close it and keep driving while you order them. After they arrive, open it again and replace the shims.

2- Cover the valvetrain and timing chain with a rag while you work. The last thing you want to do is drop something down the timing chain case or brush dirt into your valvetrain.




I hope these tips help you and feel free to post any questions!

 

Nice writeup!

 

What is the service interval for checking the shims? When I had my pickup with a 22RE, you knew the valves were out by the tapping getting louder.

 

Fsm says every 20,000 miles. Mine had never been adjusted at 225,000