I have a sale pending on a Taco rack and pinion. My tie rods and ends are shot, and I have found a Taco unit with inner and outter ends. I really need to know if a 99 Taco rack will fit into a 97 4Runner. If no one knows off hand, what measurements would I be looking for other than bolt hole measurements to check before I buy? Please help me out, any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

Yes, but the outer tie rod ends are different. You can only use the main rack with the inner tie rods. The Outers are bigger on the Tacos.

 

Figures, those were the ones I think are shot. If the outers are bad I jsut assume the inners and rack should be replaced. Do you guys think this is overkill or just good preventitive maintenence?

 

I think it would be unnecessary.....only replace the rack if it is actually bad (ie leaks or has too much play). I would just get a new set of outer tie rods (because you know those are bad), replace the steering rack bushings (plenty of writeups on that) and see where that gets you. If the rack is still sloppy then check the inner tie rods and finally replace the rack if all else fails.

 

Steering isn't sloppy, I just know this is the original rack and, and it's coming up on 200K. I wouldn't even think the ends are bad, except for the creeking and popping when I turn and the body leans. The entire Taco rack is less than ONE outer end, so I figured it was worth a shot. I guess I'll just start at the expected scource.

 

If it is that cheap why not just buy it if concerned about the longevity of yours. Put an outer on your for now. Rebuild the new one it when you get some time and money. Swap them out...

 

Do you guys thing it would be worth while installing the Taco outer tie rods in a 4Runner, mostly for durability on a 4x4 rig. The Taco tie rods ends look so much more beefier!!. It would require some tapered drilling in the lower control arm, but I think it could be done. To me it looks like the lower control arm would have enough metal to be safely drilling it out.
I, would really like to read your opinions on this. Thanks.

 

Dont bother drilling the arms, just order a set of new lower ball joints for a Tacoma. The steering arm is part of the lower ball joint.

 

Ya, that totally makes sense.
thanks