1999 Tacoma steering box replacement

My steering gear is completely stripped out. When I turn the steering wheel, the tires don't turn at all. How difficult is the gear to replace?

 

Difficulty is relative to the ability/experience of the 'mechanic'. For instance, if the most challenging task a person has done is changing the oil and filter, then this is too difficult for that person. Only you can decide if it is beyond your ability.

Crawl under there, and look at the steering rack. Do you think you have the ability (and tools) to remove the outer tie rods, the hydraulic lines and bolts? Can you identify those parts? If so, then go for it.

 

I'm not worried about if I can do it or not, I've put motors and transmissions in, I'm sure I can do this.
I work a full time job, which is not being a mechanic. Just wondering how much time I need to figure in. Would it be worth the money to just have somebody else do it? Or can I do it in a relatively short amount of time?

 

Not much to it, hand full of nuts and bolts. Remove the clamps on the fluid lines from the pump then move the rack back to get a quality line/flair nut wrench on the rack fittings. They can be tight/corroded so a little extra room helps.

Check to make sure the entire steering shaft is turning all the way down to the last "spline" joint at the rack itself. There is a very good chance that one of the joints in the steering shaft has come loose or broken.
For the actual "rack and pinion" gears to strip would likely jamb up the steering as opposed to it just spinning free. It would take one horrific impact to damage them. Worth a shot to check first.