maxb

I recently purchased a 2000 Limited 4Runner with factory rear locking differential (RR Diff Lock button on left side of steering column). I did some Search but I have some specific questions on various combinations of:

i) the lever position,
ii) 4WD button on left side of lever and
iii) the the RR Diff Lock button.

Please kindly refer to section number when commenting. I will consolidate your answers under each category in my main post and hope to use it as a great reference. Many thanks in advance!


SECTION 1 --> H2-H4 (4WD button OFF):
------------------------------------------
- This is 2 wheel drive mode.
- This is safe on pavement.
- Suitable for regular driving conditions
- Rear Differential cannot be locked.


SECTION 2 --> H2-H4 (4WD button ON):
-----------------------------------------
- This is 4 wheel drive or All Wheel Drive mode.
- This is safe on pavement.
- For regular driving with some extra traction. Helps in Snow/off road.
- Can rear differential be locked?
- How to engage: 4 wheel drive can be engaged by pressing the 4WD button on the lever as long as you are going under 62mph. If the vehicle is in motion it helps to let off the gas pedal in order to engage the 4 wheel drive quickly.


SECTION 3 --> H4L (4WD button OFF):
---------------------------------------
- Is central differential locked? YES
- Safe on Pavement?
- Suitable for which road conditions?
- Can rear Diff be locked?
- How to engage?


SECTION 4 --> H4L (4WD button ON):
--------------------------------------
- Is central differential locked?
- Safe on Pavement?
- Suitable for which road conditions?
- Can rear Diff be locked?
- How to engage?


SECTION 5 --> L4L (4WD button OFF):
--------------------------------------
- Is central differential locked? YES
- Safe on Pavement?
- Suitable for which road conditions?
- Can rear Diff be locked?
- How to engage?


SECTION 6 --> L4L (4WD button ON):
---------------------------------------
- Is central differential locked?
- Safe on Pavement?
- Suitable for which road conditions?
- Can rear Diff be locked?
- How to engage?




.

Adam F

I'm not going to answer each of your questions in your specific categories, but I'll tell you a few things. Diff lock can only be engaged under 5mph in 4L. Center diff UNLOCKED allows you to engage 4wd on dry pavement.

netwt12

the rear locker can only be ingaged in 4 Low. 4low can only be used with the center diff locked. the only time that it would be safe to engage 4 low and the rear diff locker on pavement would be for straight line low speed driving. such a ascending a steep boat ramp with a boat behind the vehicle. otherwise 4 low is strictly for off pavement.

frodin1

I would suggest getting an owners manual. You can get them for under $10 off Ebay. It explains everything, it'll tell you how to shift, when to shift , what speeds it's safe to shift at, etc.

RunnerUp

alright... i cant spend the time right now to answer all your questions... but as long as you have the multi mode transfer case...

if you dont press the 4wd button and dont move the lever forward, you are in 2wd, nothing is locked and its safe for the road

if you do press the 4wd button but not the CENTER locker button, you are effectivly in AWD and it is safe to drive on the road at any speed but when you press the CENTER locker button, you are in "true" 4wd, and you should not drive on the pavement

when you press the shifter forward, whether or not the 4wd button is depressed, you are in 4lo and nothing is locked (not center or rear) in this mode your rear locker will work as long as you are under 5 mph and you can also engage your rear locker under 5 mph



search "grey wire mod" and it will tell you how to mod your rear locker to be usable in 2wd 4hi and 4lo, and do a little bit more searching... this has been covered numerous times, though i do like your format better that most ive read!

maxb

I don't think I have a "CENTER locker button" on my 2000 Limited 4Runner.

netwt12

You don't have a center locker button on your 2000. only 01 & 02 had them. RunnerUp's post doesn't pertain to your 4runner. on 2000 models you have 5 options
1 2wd
2 AWD
3 4Low
4 4High
5 4Low with rear locker

the only time that the center diff will not be locked is 2wd & AWD, since shifting the 4wd lever straight back is 4High and from there to the right and up is 4Low. whenever 4WD is engaged the center diff locks.

maxb

netwt12,
Thanks for the clarification. So I understand that in H4L and L4L the center differential is locked (even though I dont have a button on the dashboard). Is it safe to drive in these two positions on hard pavement?

Does the 4WD button on left side of the transfer lever have any effect while in 4HL and L4L position?

mikgrail3

I drive a 99 limited and this is how mine is set up:

1. 2wd - lever up (4x4 button not pushed)

2. AWD - lever up (4x4 button pushed - light on dash with 4 green wheels) This is safe for dry pavement

3. 4H (center diff locked) - lever down (4x4 button pushed - light on dash with 4 green wheels and yellow center light) Loose terrain only (dirt, snow, mud, etc.)

4. 4L (center diff locked) - lever right and up (4x4 button pushed - light on dash with 4 green wheels and yellow center light) Loose terrain only (dirt, snow, mud, etc.) and max speed 25mph (?)

I run ARB lockers so those I can turn on at will.

naksukow

is search broken?

maxb

No...

trd_4runnin11

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but I was under the impression that the Rear differential can only be locked when you are under 5mph but once it is locked it is still effective if you go above 5 mph. RunnerUp may have been saying that but if so, his post was confusing.