MustangMike

I currently have a '97 with 152,000 miles on it. Awesome truck, but I think I want to upgrade to something a bit newer with lower miles. Mine has been reliable to this point, so I'd like to sell it while I can still get a few bucks for it.

I've been looking around, hoping to spend about $12-$15,000 on a new (used) one, so that puts me in the 2000-2002 range. Also wanting under 75,000 miles, 4x4, CLOTH seats, and that's about all I HAVE to have. Could go either way on manual or stick (I'm aware that '00 was the last year for the 5speed).

So based on that, I've found a 2001 with 50,000 miles on it (listed for $15500) that I want to check into. I'm just wondering about a few things before I make the 1.5 hour drive to look at it.

1.) Do they have rear disc brakes?
2.) What type of 4wd system does they use? Can I use 2wd and switch to 4wd manually?
3.) Are there any other major differences between it and my '97?

I would prefer discs in the rear - I hate my drums! And as for the 4WD, I recently drove an '02 that only allowed shifting between 4hi and 4lo - and I didn't like it much. Not sure if it was related, but it felt like it had MUCH less power than my '97. Both have the 3.4 - the only thing I could chalk it up to was the 4WD being different. I would have to think that gas mileage suffers too.

Any help you can give me would be great. Thanks in advance!
Mike

MustangMike

Sorry - should have added that this is a 4runner that I'm talking about. Thanks!

Elton

that year would have awd and no rear disc brakes just good old fashion drums

ecchamberlin

Elton got you with question 1 so I will try to help with question 2.

The 4wd system is what I would consider significantly different than your 97. It has 2 electronic systems new for 01 and 02 that are now on the FJs and some of the Tacomas also. First is VSC. Vehicle Skid Control is a system that monitors the rate that each wheel is turning by using the ABS sensors. If it senses that the wheels are not turning at the same or close to the same (tight turns are accounted for) it will cut engine power which brings the vehicle back under control. So no smoke shows with VSC. Also it does not allow you to spin through a slick spot either which is not so great some times. But there is a mod I will talk about later that helps.

The other system is TRAC. This system tries to redistribute power to the non spinning wheels by firing the brakes of the opposite wheel. It works okay but it has its limits.

I think the best thing about the 01 and 02s is that it has a AWD mode option. If you are in 2wd and just want a bit better traction on the road you can push the 4wd button on the 4wd shifter. Now the runner is in awd and the tires that need traction get it. In this mode the VSC is still active.

Now if you want true 4WD you can push the center diff locker button next to the steering column. At this level it is no different than any other 3rd gen without the factory option rear diff locker except that you have the TRAC system trying to help you. The VSC is now disabled which in 4WD is a very good thing. It is my opinion and experience that a 01 02 with the TRAC system can out perform a 2000 and earlier 3rd gen that does not have the optional rear e-locker. TRAC basically acts like a limited slip but in the front and in the rear. This is 4HI now.

So if you want LO range 4WD you just shift the lever forward into 4LO and you are good.

There is a mod to allow you to disable VSC and TRAC when ever you want. In fact I am going to do it next week. THis just gives you more control of when you want what system to work or not to work.

I just added a Detroit Locker to my rear axle but not because I could not keep up with the other locked vehicle but more because I found that yes I could go where they could but I did have to be a bit ruffer on her to do it. The locker is just a way to make it easier and make the Runner last longer.
THe addition of the locker has not effected the TRAC or the VSC systems.

Hope this helps.

ecchamberlin

The sifter that goes from 4Lo to 4 HI that you saw also had a button on the drivers side of the stick that says 4WD. I did the same thing the first test drive. There is a diagram of the the 4 tires with a circle in the middle on the dash top dead center of the guage cluster. If it has no lights lit for the 4 tires (green) or the center circle (orange) it is in 2wd. Then by pushing the shifter 4WD button now you are in AWD and so on like my earlier posting tells.

THe power ratings are identicle for all the years of 3rd gens with the 3.4L engines. Maybe it had 3.90 gears which would feel slow if you had 4.30s in your 97.

alotawatts

2001 is a great year for Toyota 4Runners, Camry's and others. Check consumer reports reviews etc.

lee

ALL 4runners run in 2wd unless you engage whatever 4wd system they have... so you did not drive an 02 thats always in 4Hi.

David D

I LOVE my 2001 Limited. I've had it for less than a year, but so far it's been a great vehicle. Highly recommended.

MustangMike

Wow- thanks for all of the responses. Glad to hear that they do not have full time AWD.....I like being able to control the 4wd in one way or another. Echamberlin, thank you for explaining things in such detail - that is exactly what I wanted/needed to know. Also sounds like the '01 and '02 system is better than what I have in my '97.

I'm really curious about the power difference though - I'm telling you, that '02 felt like a MAJOR dog compared to my '97, which surprised me greatly given the extra 125,000 miles my '97 had compared to the '02. Were 4.30's standard on my '97? I have the original window sticker and there is no notation of an upgraded axle ratio.

One other thing I remember of the '02 - the brakes were not nearly as responsive as my '97. I noticed under the hood that it had some sort of compressed gas brake booster system, as opposed to the traditional vacuum booster that my '97 has. Did toyota start using these in '02? I'm hoping the '01 I'm going to look at does not have it - I was very disappointed in the brakes in addition to the power decrease as I mentioned above.

Anybody know anyone who wants to buy a '97 in the pittsburgh area?

Thanks again!!
Mike

lee

01s and 02s either have 4.10's or 3.90's... the 02 couldve had 3.90's ?? i dont remember what determines which get which gears.

did you notice the size of the brake fluid reservoir? hahah.

also 01s and 02s have the same braking system.