I have a 97 taco extended cab, it has the 2.7L. This is my third Toyota and on my other two the fuel filter was on the frame rail and relatively easy to change. But on my 97 the filter is on the side of the engine block and below the intake manifold. I was wondering who on here has changed the filter on the four cylinders and what all you went through to change it (did you remove the manifold or find a better way to get to it?).

 

I was wondering if you could give me some fuel filter insight. I had a problem on a trip recently where I was running up and down some steep hills (very steep, non US regulation inclines) and then slowing down coming into town with large speed bumps. As the car slowed to a near stop for the big bump, the car died. I tried restarting it. It would turn over and almost immediately die. I could get it to run if I kept on the gas a bit while putting it back into drive. Some time later it was okay. I've had this happen twice to me on trips. I run the car pretty hard when driving the highway here (Kenya). I had a couple of other things I diagnosed and the only remaining thing left is the fuel filter. I bought a new one today and started the install myself. My 4Runner maintenance guide said to pull out the fuel system relay first, so as to depressurize the fuel lines. I found this under my dash next to my hood & gas levers. But it appears the relay is already pulled out (and missing). Could this be the cause of my problems? Would the engine even get fuel if the fuel pump was not working... I would not think so. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong thing. Any thoughts or insight would be much appreciated. I may make my own post if no one has any additional insight. Thanks again.