Hey. I ordered a new steering box because mine had become sloppy and no amount of adjustment could fix it. I got one with a different bolt pattern and top cover, but the more I look the more it seems like my truck just has an oddball steering box. Mine is actually identical to a power box with a 4 bolt cover on top, just without the power section. The normal manual box only has a three bolt cover.
I wanted to see if anyone else has run into this problem and might know a source for a rebuilt box like the one my truck came with.

So this is the style of box that came with my truck. Notice the side mounting holes are parallel with each other and with the top of the box:




This is the gear I got, and seems to be the style everyone has listed for a 2WD 1986 manual box. Notice the mounting holes are offset from one another.

 

You might want to check if the input shaft will fit into the steering rag joint coupler on aftermarket units.

On my 86 2WD with power steering, I tried 3 different rebuilt aftermarket PSG from 3 different manufacturers and none of those units input shaft would fit the OE rag joint coupler. I ended up buying online a used PSG that fit perfectly.

 

The two vehicles that gave me the most trouble looking up parts on microfiche was Trucks and Corollas. Both these models had so many variations( and then each variation had a STD, DLX, SR5) that I often needed a model number to get parts correct the first time. In contrast, Supra's and Cressida's were a walk in the park. there's a tendency for sellers(especially those selling used) to make over-generalized claims about how broad the application is for their part.

It's possible the one you got was for a different gen, or possibly a 4wd. What brand was the one you got?

 

The splines actually match up and two of the three bolts line up, but that offset on the lower two bolts won't let the third even get started. I've looked at parts from '82 through '94 and can't find one that matches other than used ones on eBay. It's literally identical to a power box, but with a different input section without the hydraulics. The slop is getting pretty sketchy on windy spring days and I'm not sure what my next move is. I've got spare engine that came with the power steering pump and reservoir, so I could always go that route, but i'd really just like to find a rebuilt manual box.

 

1984-88 Toyota manual gear box with 4 bolt top and inline mounting holes. Looks like the one you have on your truck from the picture.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174693621053


Manual SG with inline holes 1984 -1988 with 4 bolt top on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174693621053

 

My truck steering was real loose in wind and wandered in the lane. VA State inspection found the OEM 37 year old idler arm bushing were completely worn out. It was checked on the lift with the wheel off the ground. I checked it and the shaft was all over the place. Installed a new one and now solid steering. They are cheap.

 

That's the one! They're not complete unicorns, but it seems like they're atypical. Like they had frames with power steering holes and brackets and frames with manual steering holes and brackets and I have a power steering frame with a manual steering variant or something. I guess I need to find one as a core and get it rebuilt.

 

Yeah, the rest of the steering and front suspension is basically new. I can grab the steering shaft in the engine bay and move it 15° or more before there is any resistance, regardless of how much I tighten the adjuster. She's just worn out.

 

Mine had a lot of play and I bought used online. Still have to OEM unit to rebuild when this one wears out.
I thought you were looking to by whole SG unit. It would give you time to find rebuild parts for the one it will replace.
Didn't realize how bad my idler arm bushings were. I bought a ploy bushing rebuilt kit for that OEM unit. Now have a spare.