Steering Rack for early first gen

I’ve been searching, trying to confirm part numbers and digging around the web all weekend for information for a steering rack replacement (yes, crying dollar signs) on my ‘95.5 SR5. I have the part number 44250-35042 but that’s the closest I can get to what would fit my truck and some sites say it does, some say it doesn’t. Does anyone have any insight on this?

 

If I were you, I'd put it in your cart and confirm via entering your VIN on McGeorge Toyota Parts website. That'll likely be the cheapest source for OEM anyway.

 

@frenchee

 

@Red_03Taco Im in Canada so unfortunately won’t be same pricing/I’ll have to source from here, but concerned firstly with confirming if it’s the right part at all - When I go on their site it requests to fill out a form and they get back to you, is this your experience? Was hoping I could just search myself and not bug them since I won’t be buying from them

 

Here's a link to a guide with everything you need to do the steering rack. The part number there matches the one you've listed, but one caveat: my 95-00 Tacoma parts list shows a different rack number (now discontinued) for '95 models (parts list below). Not sure what was different or if the newer rack will work in its place.


Step-by-Step: Replacing the Steering Rack on a 1st Gen Tacoma | ADVENTURETACO

This is a rack that matches the part number you posted, and is the same one I installed in the guide above:

 

Appreciate this. I think I’m going to go try the dealership tomorrow and see what they say - as far as I can see as you said, that specific rack from Toyota is discontinued. Hopefully they’ll let me know whatever’s replacing it these days or if I will have to buy aftermarket. Was trying to avoid doing that for this specifically. If anyone has any recs for a good quality aftermarket rack, would love to hear just in case I need to go that route.

 

Yea there should be a different website where you don't have to do that. Just went to try and paste the link, and it looks like their website is down for maintenance. Sounds like you're already planning on going to the dealer to get some answers, good luck!

 

McGeorge just sold out to Ourisman which is a mega-dealer group in the Mid Atlantic.
Cross them off your list of discount parts suppliers.

 

Sorry for the double reply here - I did go and read through your link. Thanks again. Just wondering what year was/is your truck that you wrote this guide about?

 

No worries. My truck is in my sig. it’s a 2000

also, details here: https://AdventureTaco.com/2000-Tacoma-details/

 

Wow that's tragic.

 

Okay just figured I’d follow up for anyone who stumbles on this thread trying to figure the same thing out. The manufacturers part number for the early 4x4 first gens is 44250-35010. For fellow Canadians, apparently it’s good luck Charlie trying to find one of these factory steering racks, Toy dealer said they’re not “obsolete” but, they don’t see any in inventory anywhere and couldn’t say if they ever would get one. Even if there was one - the price tag was a little over $1800
So, I am going with a remanned rack, and closing this book knowing I did my best, and if this rack goes to shid sooner than later, well, I guess that’s God’s will lol.

The rack I’m going with is a CPG for $655 with a 2 year warranty. Apparently failure rate is low and they do a good job. American friends, I take it you are still able to get the factory toyota/toyoda part unlike us.

 

Still curious what the difference between 44250-35010 and 44250-35042 is. I mean, if it's just a mounting hole or bushing size, then you could just use the "later" rack...

If it's the connections/placement of the PS lines... well, that might be a bit harder.

 

I wonder this too. I wish I was a bit more knowledgeable and had the time to figure it out. At this point just trying to get the truck back on the road

 

Yeah, I put the 44250-35042 on my truck (1995.5 4x4) 3 years ago with absolutely no issues since. Here's a quick and dirty photo I took when I swapped them. The steering rack should fit your 1995.5 SR5 and it will be cheaper than the remanded version by at least a few six packs' worth of beers. I would return the remanned version and get yourself the 35042. Lmk if you have any other questions about it.

 

Center vertical bushing sleeve ID size.

 

I was wondering if that's all it was. I thought that change was made between '00 and '01 though. If it is just the bushing, then using 44250-35042 for '95.5s seems like an easy/right thing to do in order to stick OEM.

 

They change the rack guide bushing too but it makes no difference to an early model.