Originally Posted by sleepydad

I ended up replacing my tank because my old one was very rusty on top but for sure but I would replace the pump/strainer. you have easy access to the tank right now, the pumps on these trucks are known to go get tired after 20 years.



maybe optional because you have a lift and dropping the tank later will be pretty easy for you but still.



before you drop the body, take the steering rag joint apart. clean up the splines on the upper steering shaft and lube. same thing with the lower splines and lower shaft. you can use some sort of metal wedge to pry the pinch joints apart.



the last photo here in this part

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3354898-post131.html



3rd photo down as well

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3356856-post139.html



I was thinking I could drop the body and line up the steering shaft and rag joint connection. it worked but I ended up having to take it apart after the fact and get everything back into alignment. sucked.



also super important detail about steering.



you have a spiral cable that connects the horn, air bag, cruise control. do not spin the steering wheel around without removing the air bag and unplugging that cable. your steering wheel can only spin like 2.5 times around with that cable getting possibly tweaked.



https://www.toyota-4runner.org/1614120-post9.html



the next time I drop a body down I'm going to take the rag joint apart and slide the upper section onto the upper steering column. then after drop the lower section of the rag joint on the rack. then bolt them together. this part of the frame swap where you have to get the rack/steering wheel/alignment is a pain but worth a little time now... it all has to line up at some point.