T.Com community unites, swaps steering rack in desert AMAZING

EAK · Nov 1, 2019

Sunnier said: ↑

Yeah. Stop reading the news, spend more time wheeling....
Click to expand...

^^ This is sound advice.

Unfortunately my job in the financial market requires me to be up to date on the global markets and legislation. At least my clients get to do more wheeling because of my work...

DividedSky · Nov 1, 2019

831Tun[OP] initial post: ↑

Friday afternoon, having started driving just before 4 am, @joonbug and I had wheels in the Anza Borrego dirt. 15 min. later I blew the steering rack. @osidepunker called @papasmurf who we were to meet the next evening. Someone else called @Vizsla who was coming the following day too. Both Viz and Bruce located steering racks and could have them out to us sometime late the next day. I think it might've been @jc153 who suggested putting the word out to the forum since a large group of SoCal tundra owners were heading to Anza the following day.
Holy smokes, did the T.com community mobilize! Might've been @Sunnier who sent the word out. I don't even know who all got involved but I got the impression that there were quite a few very kind people exerting themselves to help someone they've never met. I'm exceedingly grateful to everyone!
In all of SoCal there were only 2 steering racks at dealerships. I was told Gardena had one but when I called they said they didn't have one. I pressed and found they'd just sold their only rack, ostensibly to someone trying to secure it for me. Meanwhile, @15whtrd, whom I've never met, arrived at the parts counter. I pressed the parts guy and he called the person/shop that had purchased the rack and the buyer released it to me to buy. Then, the parts guy wouldn't take my CC over the phone w/o a photo ID. WTF??? @15whtrd stepped up after patiently waiting and bought the rack, remember I've never even met this guy. Sean then met up with and delivered the rack to @nishibot who then took it to @Porschetech29. I'd never met Steve,(@nishibot) either but that didn't stop him from helping. @Porschetech29, aka Francis is someone I've had the privilege of meeting.
Back in the desert, Alex towed me +/- 5 mi. to where we were camping for the night. We started to jack the truck up with HiLifts but there's no way you can work under a HiLift. That's when Monet, aka @Pinay came to the rescue. She was already in AB and relaxing at her campsite when she got the mayday. With just a pin drop on a GPS map she found us and loaned her Pro Eagle jack and jack stands to the effort. Alex, Joon and I began removing the axles, then the diff while @jc153 and Stewie made dinner and @DividedSky prepped breakfast for the next morning.
It wasn't long before trucks arrived en masse. Francis brought the rack, ATF fluid, rags and brake cleaner, and 4-5 more trucks. (can't thank Francis enough) Jimmy brought some great lights on work stands, @eccracer104 brought his camera and Colton and Patrick. Colton jumped straight under the truck to start wrenching.
By around midnight, after a lot of beer, dented craniums and an unofficial but hearty farting contest, we had the diff and rack out of the truck.
Up at 7 I threw the new rack in, Alex got up and with Joon we got the diff back in then reinstalled the axles. Alex then did an alignment which was accurate enough that I have no need to take it to the shop. When I got home I removed the pinch bolt under the steering wheel from the shaft and squared up the steering wheel.
I'm really sorry that mine was the truck that kept our group from getting more wheeling in.
I'm inexpressibly thankful and grateful to all those that helped in this endeavor. I've never experienced anything like it, never seen so many selfless people unite to help a stranger.
Thank you all and please forgive me as I'm sure I've failed to mention some note worthy efforts. Thanks T.com. Without this forum and it's great SoCal members it would've been much worse.

Click to expand...

As one of the folks that was there for the whole enchilada, I can say that this in no way diminished the fun I had on this trip.
In fact, it was great to see some of the steps required. While I will hopefully never blow a steering rack, I’ve been interested in learning how to change a CV and I got to see TWO of them removed.

So again, don’t feel bad about what happened with us. If anything, I feel bad that this trip was so expensive for YOU.

And I hope you enjoyed that morning pot of steaming Barbacoa!!!

Would wheel with you and Joon in a second. You are two stand up dudes.

DividedSky · Nov 1, 2019

joonbug said: ↑

Did we eat chili cheese dogs that night?
Click to expand...

From the dump I took behind that ocotillo the next morning, I’d say YES.

Inquiringone · Nov 1, 2019

831Tun[OP] initial post: ↑

Friday afternoon, having started driving just before 4 am, @joonbug and I had wheels in the Anza Borrego dirt. 15 min. later I blew the steering rack. @osidepunker called @papasmurf who we were to meet the next evening. Someone else called @Vizsla who was coming the following day too. Both Viz and Bruce located steering racks and could have them out to us sometime late the next day. I think it might've been @jc153 who suggested putting the word out to the forum since a large group of SoCal tundra owners were heading to Anza the following day.
Holy smokes, did the T.com community mobilize! Might've been @Sunnier who sent the word out. I don't even know who all got involved but I got the impression that there were quite a few very kind people exerting themselves to help someone they've never met. I'm exceedingly grateful to everyone!
In all of SoCal there were only 2 steering racks at dealerships. I was told Gardena had one but when I called they said they didn't have one. I pressed and found they'd just sold their only rack, ostensibly to someone trying to secure it for me. Meanwhile, @15whtrd, whom I've never met, arrived at the parts counter. I pressed the parts guy and he called the person/shop that had purchased the rack and the buyer released it to me to buy. Then, the parts guy wouldn't take my CC over the phone w/o a photo ID. WTF??? @15whtrd stepped up after patiently waiting and bought the rack, remember I've never even met this guy. Sean then met up with and delivered the rack to @nishibot who then took it to @Porschetech29. I'd never met Steve,(@nishibot) either but that didn't stop him from helping. @Porschetech29, aka Francis is someone I've had the privilege of meeting.
Back in the desert, Alex towed me +/- 5 mi. to where we were camping for the night. We started to jack the truck up with HiLifts but there's no way you can work under a HiLift. That's when Monet, aka @Pinay came to the rescue. She was already in AB and relaxing at her campsite when she got the mayday. With just a pin drop on a GPS map she found us and loaned her Pro Eagle jack and jack stands to the effort. Alex, Joon and I began removing the axles, then the diff while @jc153 and Stewie made dinner and @DividedSky prepped breakfast for the next morning.
It wasn't long before trucks arrived en masse. Francis brought the rack, ATF fluid, rags and brake cleaner, and 4-5 more trucks. (can't thank Francis enough) Jimmy brought some great lights on work stands, @eccracer104 brought his camera and Colton and Patrick. Colton jumped straight under the truck to start wrenching.
By around midnight, after a lot of beer, dented craniums and an unofficial but hearty farting contest, we had the diff and rack out of the truck.
Up at 7 I threw the new rack in, Alex got up and with Joon we got the diff back in then reinstalled the axles. Alex then did an alignment which was accurate enough that I have no need to take it to the shop. When I got home I removed the pinch bolt under the steering wheel from the shaft and squared up the steering wheel.
I'm really sorry that mine was the truck that kept our group from getting more wheeling in.
I'm inexpressibly thankful and grateful to all those that helped in this endeavor. I've never experienced anything like it, never seen so many selfless people unite to help a stranger.
Thank you all and please forgive me as I'm sure I've failed to mention some note worthy efforts. Thanks T.com. Without this forum and it's great SoCal members it would've been much worse.

Click to expand...

Glad you had a BAsTRD an others to help you out. What a weekend.

jc153 · Nov 1, 2019

That trip was definitely an unforgettable experience. It was absolutely mind blowing how the rack fix all came together! So many people helping out to make it happen! My hats off to everyone who pitched in from this Tundra community.
That said we need a do over!

eccracer104 · Nov 1, 2019

jc153 said: ↑

That trip was definitely an unforgettable experience. It was absolutely mind blowing how the rack fix all came together! So many people helping out to make it happen! My hats off to everyone who pitched in from this Tundra community.
That said we need a do over!
Click to expand...

Do over!!! Let’s go!

roypark · Nov 1, 2019

This story gave me the warm and fuzzies.

osidepunker · Nov 4, 2019

ColoradoTJ said: ↑

Oh that would be perfect pressure wise. having a factory ps cooler is bad ass addition as well.

Depending on the hydraulic directional valve, you’re correct on this being very “touchy”. Buying the right one is key.

I used to worry/break steering components a lot. Not so much anymore.

I’ll get some more time in tonight on directional valve options. The one in my TJ is very direct and goes from center to full lock in 1.5 turns. Others can be purchased for 3-4 turns like the factory rack.

In the end though, how much of a problem are these racks? Not sure I’m looking at the full picture and creating a problem that doesn’t exist for 80% of the Tundra owners.
Click to expand...

Forget about the reliability issues. The oem rack cant adequately turn 37s. At trail pressure on asphalt, it wont turn the tires unless you're rolling. Causes problems on very technical rock gardens. But you can adjust technique make it work. Full hydro would be awesome!

However, I have to balance all the different types of jobs The Truck has to be able to do well. If I'm gonna wheel rock gardens in Moab, I have to keep in mind that I'll be driving 12 hours of hwy just to get there. Then I have to drive home...

Like I said, I havent done hard research on full hydraulic. Is it possible to design a system that is stable when I'm doing 90 mph on the freeway???

osidepunker · Nov 4, 2019

jc153 said: ↑

That trip was definitely an unforgettable experience. It was absolutely mind blowing how the rack fix all came together! So many people helping out to make it happen! My hats off to everyone who pitched in from this Tundra community.
That said we need a do over!
Click to expand...

eccracer104 said: ↑

Do over!!! Let’s go!
Click to expand...

Say when

ColoradoTJ · Nov 4, 2019

osidepunker said: ↑

Forget about the reliability issues. The oem rack cant adequately turn 37s. At trail pressure on asphalt, it wont turn the tires unless you're rolling. Causes problems on very technical rock gardens. But you can adjust technique make it work. Full hydro would be awesome!

However, I have to balance all the different types of jobs The Truck has to be able to do well. If I'm gonna wheel rock gardens in Moab, I have to keep in mind that I'll be driving 12 hours of hwy just to get there. Then I have to drive home...

Like I said, I havent done hard research on full hydraulic. Is it possible to design a system that is stable when I'm doing 90 mph on the freeway???
Click to expand...

Wonder if hydro assist would be a good option, but then the space issue is a problem.

Kerch71 · Nov 4, 2019

Absolutely righteous! Wish I could've been there, but y'all live too far away.

Sunnier · Jan 11, 2020

Kerch71 said: ↑

Absolutely righteous! Wish I could've been there, but y'all live too far away.
Click to expand...

No, You live too far away.

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