Proactive replacement of alternator and water pump

I recently acquired a 2011 Tundra 5.7 ltr from my son-in-law, who was the original owner. He maintained the truck very well. It just turned over 200,000 miles and it still has the original alternator and water pump. My opinion is that 12 years and 200,000 miles is a remarkable length of time and it would be wise to pro-actively replace them both. They are presently working fine, but due to their age and wear, I can see one of these breaking down at the least convenient time, when I am in the middle of nowhere. I plan to take my Tundra to a dealer and have both replaced. Wise move? or am I wasting my money?

 

Alternator will cost you about $1k+ to replace at the dealer (labor is high due to accessibility), and if you're going to do that you should replace belt, idler and tensioner... So, probably a $1200-$1400 job at the dealer. My alternator went out on my '08 at about 265k miles (just for reference).

Water pump (not sure what the going rate is these days), but mine went out before 100k when I was in Las Vegas (I was towing a lot then and obviously high heat), and has been fine since (another OE pump).

So, you got to do what makes you comfortable; no one can answer that question for you

 

FWIIW
I'm pretty much in the same boat, and the same line of thought, as you.
Mine has 220000 miles on it and this is the year that I plan on preventively replacing stuff.
For some reason I was going to start by replacing my starter and then do the replacement you mentioned early next year.
My truck is still my primary driver and I take it to some pretty remote places.
I just want to replace anything that will leave me dead in the water if it were to fail.

 

I ran the alternator on my 2007 to failure at just over 200k miles I did notice the headlights getting dimmer before it failed. Had it replaced it about 4 years ago $700

 

I am around 286k miles, original water pump and alternator, figure crossed. I am planning to put new parts for cooling system before Christmas (radiator, water pump, thermostat, fan flutch, and all the hoses..)

 

You’ve got me thinking about doing the alternator preventatively, as that is a part that can fail unexpectedly. In my experience, water pumps give some notice, either through leaking or noises.

I will definitely use an OEM Toyota part though.

 

Man, let us know how the starter replacement goes. That one looks like a bear of a job!

 

Keep in mind that when an alternator fails it is typically just the brushes that wear out. These can be easily (and inexpensively) replaced on the rear of the alternator. Not sure if it can be done on the current Tundra models with the alternator in place but it might be worth checking out.

Dan

 

I'm at 286k+ original alternator. I have replaced my starter at 213k, on my 2nd water pump which exploded and took the radiator with it, my 1st exploded at 20k and covered under warranty. Original alternator and replaced my tensioner and idler when I replaced the water pump. Water pump gave me a whole year notice by leaking.
I would agree with @Bergmen the alternator can be cracked open and refurbished, insides are like $90, but I think you need to remove it either way. I upgraded my SC400's alternator to a 4.7L Tundra alternator, while I refurbish my old one and leave it in standby. Parts are available in Toyota parts site.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

If it breaks out in the middle of the Nevada desert, you would have wished that you did a pro-active replacement.

Dan

 

I’ve read numerous threads of new parts breaking soon after installation. There is no guarantee that a new part will outlive an old one. I understand both arguments