[Flash75]

David: How much freeplay do you have? I don't have a shop manual for a 2000 Tacoma but my 2004 shop manual reads as follows:
(Maximum freeplay: 30mm (1.18 in.)
I assume your truck has a rack and pinion steering with power assist and would be about the same as the 2004. Notice it reads Maximum freeplay, so a normal system should have less. Your dealer should have a shop manual reference stating what is acceptable maximum freeplay. I don't believe that Toyota designed them to have extra freeplay. I realize that I haven't answered your question. There seems to be a lot of, "Oh, they all do that" remarks coming from Toyota dealers based on the inputs on this forum. Hope you get it resolved soon.

Clifton