1998 Toyota 4Runner timing belt

Are you making sure there is no slack in the belt on the non tensioner side and your leaving the slack on the tensioner side till you pull the pin on the tensor then the slick is gone?When you turn it over the marks should still line up.

The kit came with the upper and lower pulleys.There is no slack in the belt on either the tensioner or non tensioner side. I did put the auto tensioner in by hand, (not depressing it) and used the two bolts to tighten in place, but all the marks lined up.
What don't understand is why the sprocket marks and the camshaft sprocket stay in sink but the marks on the belt keeps moving to the right.
Is there a adjustment to stop this? The truck has run fine off and on for a min and a half (20-30sec ) at a time.

So the marks on the cam sprockets line up after turning it over once?But the marks on the belt move one tooth advanced from the cam sprocket marks?If so that's normal it will do that.Also you didn't replace the tensor?If not I would change that.I always do a complete kit.

thanks for confirming my other sources, about the marks on the belt are just for the initial turn, well I wish that
was highlighted a little more. I'm happy that its normal but I've spent 2 days taking it all apart again.
thanks for helping me . I'll probably seek out more advice in the future.

Your welcome that's what were here for.

new question about my timing belt on the 98 4runner, I did replace the tentioner . The truck ran
like a sewing machine, took it on a test drive 4 or 5 miles. then it started knocking , at first a little then
progressively louder. The truck was still smooth running. I let it sit over night and the next day no knocking
sound. After another drive maybe 10 miles,next day it wouldn't start. Towed back home. Started over installing
timing belt , lining up all marks, it will start ok and idle but won't rev up very well,

all the marks line up top and bottom, but if I didn't know better I would say it was still off somehow.

After you towed it home did you check the timing marks before adjusting them?If so were they off and how many teeth we're they off?

The cam timing marks seem to stay inn sink, but the crank belt might be a couple marks off. Hard to tell.
Is there a way I could have moved the crank shaft ( like when I was tighting the bolt back) it did make a popping
sound , but couldn't tell if it changed anything. And made the mark out of whack?
I'm thinking now about moving the mark all around until it runs right.,

If you heard a popping it could have jumped timing make sure all the marks are lining up.

After lining up all timing marks top and bottom, the truck will start ok, but after 30 sec or so start sputtering
and shaking, it will die after that.
I thinking I've done something to change the settings on the crank shaft or moved something, and now it
won't run right. help...

Did you spin it around two full turns after after setting the timing an make sure all the marks are still lined up?WS the crankshaft marks off if so how many teeth?

I didn't spin it by hand this time, after it ran a little, both the marks on the upper spindles were @ 12 o-clock and
the crankshaft was at TDC. (now the mark for the belt was/ is @ 3 o-clock) as per instructions.

So all the timing marks are all lined up now?Have you checked for engine trouble codes in the computer?