Shopping for a 3rd Gen 4Runner: Questions

Zed · 11-22-2009, 03:18 PM

Hello, all. I am looking for a mid-model year 3rd Gen 4Runner. It's going to be used probably 25% for light to moderate off-roading and 75% for driving around town in bad weather.

My main question is whether the full-time 4WD or part-time 4WD with a locking rear diff is the better solution for this situation. I think I would much prefer the full-time system for getting around town, especially in mixed road conditions. But I don't know whether it is as capable off-road. How will the full-time system handle a limited traction situation, say with one wheel in mud or up in the air?

And is the full-time system standard on the 99+ Limited models, or was it an option? I have heard it is not possible to find a full-time system with a rear locker.

Thanks-

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Yukon · 11-22-2009, 03:50 PM

IMO the best iterations of the 3rd gen were the 99-00's. The limiteds came from the factory with rear lockers, with few exceptions.

The transfer case is very versitile. It has the Standard 2wd, it has AWD (full time), so you can drive around on dry pavement, snow, whatever you want to really in 4x4, then it has 4x4 with a locked center for off road, then it has the Low range. This is every option you'd ever really want in a T-case. In 4x4 and low mode, the tcase acts as a part time t-case.

^99runner^ · 11-22-2009, 03:55 PM

one with an AWD option is fully capable of what you can throw at it with light to moderate off roading. make sure you search for one with a locking rear diff for limited traction situations. i have a 99 limited with the full-time option and a rear locker

Zed · 11-22-2009, 03:57 PM

Oh, that's great--I didn't know the rear locker could be paired with the full time xfer case. Was the full time system option, or will every '99 Ltd I find have it?

Yukon · 11-22-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zed

Oh, that's great--I didn't know the rear locker could be paired with the full time xfer case. Was the full time system option, or will every '99 Ltd I find have it?

They all do. If its a 99-00 limited.

nc994run · 11-22-2009, 04:40 PM

The Limited's, if 4wd, are 2wd, have push button AWD, 4x4 high, and 4x4 Low. Not all have rear lockers, definitely don't assume it does. I believe I saw a 2000 with locker for sale in the vehicle section...

Brad. · 11-22-2009, 04:52 PM

I am also starting to look around for a '99-'00 4runner with 5-speed and locker, maybe highlander edition, black or green.

Mtn Mike · 11-22-2009, 05:34 PM

I'll add that part time 4x4 (not AWD) is pretty good in foul weather too. 4Runners are very good in the snow, even in 2wd. I have the SR5 (no AWD) and usually leave mine in 2wd until the roads get to the point where I can feel the wheels sliding.

If you're planning to offroad, I would say that a locker is a much more desirable feature than AWD, but if you can find a Limited with both, there's nothing wrong with that either.

rideexileex · 11-22-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad.

I am also starting to look around for a '99-'00 4runner with 5-speed and locker, maybe highlander edition, black or green.

good luck with that search - I've been lookin for about a month and a half and I only found one that had the 5spd/locker combo, and it was white. I've yet to find one that was green or black. searchtempest.com is a great resource for searching

Brad. · 11-23-2009, 07:01 AM

thanks for the link, good luck to you too. If you come across one you want to pass up, let me know!

4Runner4Christ · 11-24-2009, 02:01 PM

It dosent have a locker by my '99 is for sale in the Yotatech Marketplace forum... Good luck in your searches!

Brad. · 12-13-2009, 11:21 AM

check out this site: http://www.hankshelper.com/

Brad. · 12-28-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rideexileex

good luck with that search - I've been lookin for about a month and a half and I only found one that had the 5spd/locker combo, and it was white. I've yet to find one that was green or black. searchtempest.com is a great resource for searching

I got one!!

Ron Helmuth · 12-30-2009, 07:22 PM

so Zed did you get one?

11-22-2009, 03:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
^99runner^ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: mississippi Posts: 95	one with an AWD option is fully capable of what you can throw at it with light to moderate off roading. make sure you search for one with a locking rear diff for limited traction situations. i have a 99 limited with the full-time option and a rear locker __________________ 1999 Limited 4Runner 4x4 882/891 OME coils w/ N91SC/N86C OME shocks factory rear locker whip antenna mod grey wire mod bull bar clear corners 2 12" kicker cvr sold: 98 GS 300 - stock sold: 97 Tacoma 4x4 5spd - 3" susp. lift, 3" body lift, 305/70 dueler A/T, clear corners and turns, smoke tail lights

11-22-2009, 04:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
nc994run Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: blacksburg,va for school chapel hill, nc for home Posts: 1,077	The Limited's, if 4wd, are 2wd, have push button AWD, 4x4 high, and 4x4 Low. Not all have rear lockers, definitely don't assume it does. I believe I saw a 2000 with locker for sale in the vehicle section... __________________ Rob 1999 4Runner Limited 4x4, retrofitted e-locker/ ARB front locker with 4.88 Precision Gears, Tundra/LC lift, 2" 4Crawler BL, Nitto Mud Grappler 35's on 16x8, Marlin sliders, TJM T-15, Warn M8000 w/ synthetic line, Mad Mike's custom rear Bumper, deckplate and ISR mods, Vortex Muffler, custom made tube doors pictures here I support Banned Neliconcept

11-22-2009, 04:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brad. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 109	I am also starting to look around for a '99-'00 4runner with 5-speed and locker, maybe highlander edition, black or green. __________________ '93 4Runner SR5, 3.0 Auto, 4X4; 142,000 miles SOLD '99 4Runner Highlander, 3.4, 5-Speed, E-Locker

11-22-2009, 05:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mtn Mike Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 139	I'll add that part time 4x4 (not AWD) is pretty good in foul weather too. 4Runners are very good in the snow, even in 2wd. I have the SR5 (no AWD) and usually leave mine in 2wd until the roads get to the point where I can feel the wheels sliding. If you're planning to offroad, I would say that a locker is a much more desirable feature than AWD, but if you can find a Limited with both, there's nothing wrong with that either. __________________ Toyotas: 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4: 130K miles 2004 Tacoma 4x4 Ext Cab V6 TRD - sold 1-2006 - totaled 1-2009! 1992 HiLux 4x4 reg cab - sold 1-2005 1984 HiLux 4x4 reg cab - totaled 7-1997

11-23-2009, 07:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
Brad. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 109	thanks for the link, good luck to you too. If you come across one you want to pass up, let me know! __________________ '93 4Runner SR5, 3.0 Auto, 4X4; 142,000 miles SOLD '99 4Runner Highlander, 3.4, 5-Speed, E-Locker

11-22-2009, 03:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Yukon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 334	IMO the best iterations of the 3rd gen were the 99-00's. The limiteds came from the factory with rear lockers, with few exceptions. The transfer case is very versitile. It has the Standard 2wd, it has AWD (full time), so you can drive around on dry pavement, snow, whatever you want to really in 4x4, then it has 4x4 with a locked center for off road, then it has the Low range. This is every option you'd ever really want in a T-case. In 4x4 and low mode, the tcase acts as a part time t-case.

11-22-2009, 03:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2	Oh, that's great--I didn't know the rear locker could be paired with the full time xfer case. Was the full time system option, or will every '99 Ltd I find have it?

11-24-2009, 02:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
4Runner4Christ Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Midwest Posts: 407	It dosent have a locker by my '99 is for sale in the Yotatech Marketplace forum... Good luck in your searches!

12-13-2009, 11:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
Brad. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 109	check out this site: http://www.hankshelper.com/ __________________ '93 4Runner SR5, 3.0 Auto, 4X4; 142,000 miles SOLD '99 4Runner Highlander, 3.4, 5-Speed, E-Locker

12-30-2009, 07:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ron Helmuth Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver metro area-CO Posts: 1,438	so Zed did you get one? __________________ 99 4Runner SR5 4wd 3.4/5 spd- Fact. Rr. Locker/Diff Breather Ext. Old Man Emu lift springs- 881 fronts/890 rears O/M/E shocks- N91s fr./N86 rr. All Pro Off Road welded sliders-prevent body damage! ARB"Taco"bumper/Gamiviti clear lenses/Hella 500s Redline Tuning hood struts/Bushwacker Extend a Fenders all my photos are over on Facebook now-I gave up on photo hosting sorry.... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&l=5795132731

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