Hi again, quick update from me. Car went into Toyota twice for this issue.
First time, they gave the car back after finding a vacuum hose had come off. No charge for this. Drove out, code back on after 20m and personal diagnostics showed me the same results.
Second time, pretty much the same deal except it was a plug this time. No code, and personal diagnostics show things operating as before - that is, EGR still not having the full range of operation but operating just enough to not trigger an engine light. Again, no charge.
I'll be taking the rocker off this weekend to do my own inspection of hoses, plugs, and everything else. Just haven't had the time, and Toyota's not been thorough on the check-over though very grateful they fixed things up without charge. They could've easily charged an hour or two's work for a loose plug/hose.
I'm not going to chase the EGR Lift Sensor stuff any longer - smoke's pretty much gone so I'm not concerned about the range of operation. At least it can completely close.
Less diagnostics, more getting out there