I am working on a kit to convert Datsun 510's to rack and pinion using the manual Toyota found in the AE86.

I figured you all would be able to give me some info. on sourcing these racks.
Is there a reliable source to get them new/rebuilt? or is the used parts market the only option?
Is there any direct swaps or upgrades with minor modification you all commonly do?

any info. is appreciated. Thanks!

-Sam

You can't buy them new. Any place that specializes in steering rack rebuilds should be able to carry out the job. You might be able to get a rebuilt unit from an auto parts store but I doubt it.

The ae86, aw11 and ae71 manual racks are basically interchangeable with some very minor differences.

Quaife makes a quick steering rack gear/pinion replacement. Various companies also sell rack spacers (or rack ends with spacers machined in) to extend the rack travel for more steering angle.

napa shows a rebuilt non power rack. IDK if it actually fits.

Thanks for the info. guys.

It looks like a AW11 MR2 rack is the same thing as these AE86 racks. Do you know if that is true?

supposedly the aw11 mr2 rack is shorter on the passenger side, but it is interchangeable with an ae86 unit. (As in will fit in place of)

AW11 rack is about 1/2" shorter on the pinion side. There are quite a few FWD manual rack and pinion models that are easier to find and cheaper. I'd probably go that route rather than trying to find Corolla manual racks. There is nothing special about the Corolla or AW11 racks.

Is the rack gear shorter, the housing, or both? I've been trying to figure this out for a while, but nobody seems to know specifics.

Edit: It looks like rockauto.com has a remanufactured aw11 rack for $282.XX.

Tried to buy the rock auto rack, after a few weeks of back order status, it apparently can't be gotten. These racks are desirable mostly because they are so short, most newer racks are too wide to fit well in our application.
Interesting that the AW11 rack is a bit different, didn't know that. What about Cressida's of the same generation, any idea if those are the same as well?