CrunchyTaco

I am looking at a 2001 Limited 4wd 4 Runner and the guy says it has a rear diff lock. Everything I have read said there is no such thing for a 2001. He seems oblivious to what a e-locker is and says that he never used 4wd so he isn't sure if he has an "e-locker" nor knows what a locker is. He says that there is a button on the left side of the steering wheel that engages it. Is there a button for the center diff in that location? I got all excited that I found a good truck with a "rear locking diff" (as the ad says) but I am afraid he is getting it confused with a center diff lock. He is the second owner but I doubt one was retrofitted in. Please help!

Thanks,

Joe

tried4x2signN

Center diff on a 2001? They made a AWD 4Runner back then?

Brad.

E-Locker only lasted till 2000.

CrunchyTaco

"E-Locker only lasted till 2000."

That's what I thought. He is either messed up about the year or messed up about it having a e-locker.

tried4x2signN

I've googed the ever loving out of this "Multimode" and can not find a single thing...

Apparently, and only on the limited, there is a "4WD" on the side of the shifter that enabled "4WD" on "Dry Surfaces"...

But is a bona fide center diff?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-wheel_drive

"Identical drivetrain systems are commonly marketed under different names for upmarket and downmarket branding and, conversely, different drivetrain systems are commonly marketed under the same name for brand uniformity. Audi's quattro, Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic, BMW with the xDrive, Saab's XWD, and Volkswagen's 4motion, for example, can mean either an automatically-engaging "on-demand" system with Borg-Warner ITM 3e magnetic or Haldex Traction hydraulic clutch, or a continuously-operating permanent 4WD system with a Torsen (torque-sensing) or other type of a differential."

tried4x2signN

A + June of 1999 is considered a 2000.

A - June of 2001 is considered a 2000.

EDIT: I also venture to guess around this time this is why the locking rear diff died.

A limited would have all the anti skid and traction control nanny's bells and whistles. So there is no need for it.

All they have to do is reprogram anti skid to make traction control work. And since that is offered on all the trucks, no need for the expensive locking diff. 1 TRD to a million 4Runners and you start to see the point.

Reprogram an existing system, saves Toyota millions = Makes stocks rise so consumers will buy it.

PismoJoe

Are you close enough look at it real quick? Pretty easy to tell if it has an E-locker by taking a peek at the rear third...

CrunchyTaco

I called the guy to get him to take a pic of the rear third to see if the e motor was up there on it and he was lost. He swore it had a rear locker until he started reading his owners manual and read it had a "center locker"! He really had no idea what a locker was so I guess I couldn't blame him for getting confused. Glad I didn't drive 4 hours to go look at it! Oh well, the search continues for a good 4 Runner! Thanks for the help gents!

tried4x2signN

Unless I'm mistaken, you can tell if an FzJ80 has diff locks by the VIN...

Wonder if you can do that with a 4Runner?

Ripcord_4Runner

my '02 has a center diff(transfer case) lock, that is most likely what he is referring to.

Edit: nvm, just saw the post 2 above this one.

tried4x2signN

yeah, but is the switch for it on the dash in front of the turn signal?


Which I believe is not the same thing as knowing what a diff lock is, and where it's at...

If he's adamant about a switch on the dash, doesn't that rule out a center lock?

Ripcord_4Runner

The switch for the center lock is in the same place as the RR diff lock switch.
Just a different graphic on the switch.

Here is a quick cell picture I took of mine:



Edit: It's tough to see, but the graphic looks like this:

/..../
..x
| - |

tried4x2signN

naw, I gotcha... Learn something new everyday...


Then what's the button labeled "4WD" do on the TC shifter?

Ripcord_4Runner

engages the 4wd, the shifter is just for selecting different modes while in 4wd. Yeah, it's pretty stupid. I hate it and it doesn't work right sometimes.