Newbie intro

First time Taco owner. I've had 1st gen 4Runners ('84 and '87) before, but wanted something that could pull the teardrop, so picked up an '06 DCSB TRD Sport with 6 spd with a 180k miles, figuring it was better than the 240k on the 'runner I sold. So the new adventure begins!

Already looking at replacing the leaky steering rack and trying to figure out if the mess in the engine bay is a leaky steering pump or timing cover. I've also got nearly new take-off stock UCAs and and shocks/springs from a '23 TRD-OR to install along with Genuine Toyota LBJs and some poly LCA bushings to install. Figure I'll wait and do it all at once, as I imagine it will be a lot easier to do the rack with the suspension off. It's a bit confusing to read the write-ups about the rack replacement, as the FSM seems to indicate you need to remove half of the truck to replace it, while most folks seem to manage without. I guess I'll spend some time digging in the forums before posting a stupid question.

I'm also trying to gauge whether reports of the Taco steering rack being weak are only for hardcore off-roaders or are more generally true. I'm wondering if upgrading to a Tundra rack makes sense if I'm not going to be pushing 35s, or if the stock rack will hold up for moderate and intermittent wheeling. Would like to lock and lift at some point (in that order), but I'm not in any hurry yet.

Any tips and feedback welcome! TIA!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome aboard