What's the best Rack & pinion set-up for first Gen Tacoma???

So we all know Tacoma's have weak Rack& Pinions. It was getting a little flowing Feeling in the front end, especially at high speeds. So I went and changed out my Rack Bushing and tie-rod ends hoping to buy me more time. It did help out a lot, but still getting that little play that I don't want. My question to all my Tacoma guy's is what rack would you'll suggest ?
I've been looking at a LC Engineering Rack, or Trail Gear Rack?
Any info would Help, Thanks

 

From what I understand there isn't a beefed up aftermarket rack for our trucks, though if I'm wrong then feel free to correct me. I was under the impression that the best replacement is an OEM one, as expensive as they are. Aftermarket ones tend to have a worse reputation

 

tighten the screw on the spring/guide of the rack. check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Hhl225E8A

 

I suspected mine might be loose recently because my tires have some wiggle play in them when on jack stands (equal on both sides - one moves when I move the other by hand so I don't suspect it's a ball joint or bearing issue)

From what I gather though, the steering rack guide takes very little torque to be tight, and when I checked mine it was definitely tight enough. From what I understand, over tightening it can ruin the rack seals in short order...so I didn't want to tighten it any more.

I guess I should probably check out/replace the rack bushings next. Tie rods are all new

 

Are you sure it is your rack? Have you done the steering shaft tack weld? Have you installed poly rack bushings?

Edit: Just re-read and saw you did the bushings.

I bought a rebuilt rack from Rack Doctor at the recommendation of someone on the forum. Looks nice, but I have not installed it yet.

Coming soon - mine has now started puking oil out the input for the steering shaft!

 

Man Awesome Video!!,
Thank You

 

I have Not done the Steering Tack weld, Where do I weld it??on the steering joint?
Thanks

 

tack weld mod

 

Nice Thanks!!

 

I did my research on the Rack Doctor, and they only Have 2.5 stars, not saying there bad. Little sketchy though,,
They look good ,ad have that lifetime warranty though, so idk

 

Just Order New Rack & Pinion From LC Engineering ,I just went with what I knows good,
Thanks for all the input on this thread, the steering weld, and tilt bushing upgrade is getting too for sure, Then I should be good to go!!
Thanks Again Guy's,!! This Forum helps me out a lot !!!

 

Not sure what LCE is selling, but IMO, if it's not OEM it's not worth it.

I had no luck with both a new aftermarket unit and an Rack Doctor reman. Don't be like me a swap your rack three times year after year. New OEM unit is holding up well though.

 

What he said.

So your all clear.
There is the OE rack, only sold by Toyota. Best, most $$'s.

There are "new" aftermarket racks sold by everybody and their brother, all the same Chinese knock offs. Low quality and really bad quality control. Many failures, some catastrophic.

Then there are the rebuilds. All of them are hit and miss. Mostly premature leaking issues, other than the Chinese tie rod ends they come with.

If I had to buy a rack outright, I would go with a rebuild from "a local to you" vendor before a "new aftermarket" from anyone. This simplifies the return/warranty process.

 

Yeah I hear Ya..,People say Tacoma's have weak factory Rack & Pinions, But my OME has been good this far.
LC Engineering makes some good aftermarket parts for Toyota off-road trucks,Never had any issues with there parts yet.
The LCE Racks so post to be better then a Trail gear rack & pinion, well see
Thanks for all the input!!

 

When I replaced the rack on my 04 several years ago, I went with the Rack Doctor. The lifetime warranty won me over. Plus they will only accept factory cores. I have had no issues with the rack I got from them.

 

Installed new Rake & Pinion from LC Engineering ,They make good aftermarket parts for Toyotas you can trust, or will get you quality parts if they don't make it. There not cheap though,572.39 for Rack and Pinion, and that's just for the Rack not the Kit.
Thanks again for all your Comments and help guys!!

 

Also doing the Steering Shaft Mod too, Ill let you guys know how it is, and if it works. Going to weld Shaft tomorrow. also made shim Mod for the Steering tilt .well see how it all works out I guest!!
Thanks for all the help, and all the links and videos!!
You all stay Safe out there!!
UPDATE:
I ended up using JB Weld instead of welding it, I guest the redneck inside came out on tis project,LMAO
I decided to use JB Weld because I know its strong enough for this application, my Steering Shaft didn't have that much play to begin with. Also if I due ever get in a Accident, I have the piece of mind that it will brake and collapse into the shaft, welding or using pin just seems dangerous to me, they designed it to collapse for a reason, making the collapse point higher is one thing, but making it solid ,idk if I like that idea. You all can do what you wish, my happy with the route I went,
All and all, super cheap, and very easy mod to do, that real makes your steering wheel feel brand new!
good luck and hope any of this info help somebody!!

 

quoting myself because I learned recently that I should not have messed with my steering rack guide like I talked about doing in the above post.

I ended up tightening it just 1 or 2mm (very little) to see if that would tighten up the play in my wheels.

It did not, but what it did end up doing was giving me a NASTY clunk/pop in my steering a week or so later, especially whenever I would turn left for some reason. Sounded like bad ball joints that were on the verge of giving out.

After checking everything else (ball joints, tie rods, bushings, etc) I ended up loosening the rack guide back to where it was (luckily I had marked it first) and the noise immediately went away.

If your rack guide is tight, don't over tighten it lol. IIRC the torque spec on it is 19 ft/lbs or something light like that.

I still need to figure out why my wheels have some turning play in them when lifted off the ground. I can grab one wheel and move it a little side to side by hand, and the other wheel moves simultaneously. So it's not a bad wheel bearing or ball joint. Something to do with the steering. The steering wheel moves too when I do it

 

UPDATE:
I ended up using JB Weld instead of welding it, I guest the redneck inside me came out on this project,LMAO
I decided to use JB Weld because I know its strong enough for this application, my Steering Shaft didn't have that much play to begin with. Also if I due ever get in a Accident, I have the piece of mind that it will brake and collapse into the shaft, welding or using pin just seems dangerous to me, they designed it to collapse for a reason, making the collapse point higher is one thing, but making it solid ,idk if I like that idea. You all can do what you wish, im happy with the route I went,
All and all, super cheap, and very easy mod to do, that really makes your steering wheel feel brand new!
good luck and hope any of this info help somebody!!

 

Just Install a New Rack & Pinion ,and do the steering mod, and you will be loving life,!!
I took the same route as you, Did bushings and Tie-rods ends first,Tried to go the easy route.. But all and all, everything has a little wear witch is giving us that play,theres a little in your bushing,tie-rods,rack,and steering shaft, are trucks are getting older it is what it is,so just do rack & pinion,steering mod,and rack will come wit new bushing as will,and RUN IT!!!!
good luck,hope any of this helps,