CrunchyTaco

I am planning on selling my Tacoma and looking to get an 3rd Gen 4 Runner and was wondering what years and models had the e-locker? I am pretty dumb when comes to the 4runners so I can't seem to figure out which ones had them.

As lame as is it sounds, I really like the completely useless hood scoop. Aren't they 00-02 models?

And last, anyone know if my Budbuilt IFS skid plate for my Tacoma will fit on the 4runner?

Thanks!

Fink

Moved to the Newbie Tech section.

It's not a year thing, it's an options package thing.
I wouldn't base your vehicle choice on this though, I'd rather have a really nice and well-taken-care-of 3rd gen without an e-locker than one that wasn't that had a locker.

Scooped hoods started on the '99 sport/highlander models.

Don't know about the skid.

Fink

brian2sun

I agree that finding one that runs good and was taken care of is more important than finding one with an elocker. You can always add a locker afterwards. Also...
Lockers were available as an option on 4x4 3rd gens from '96-00 (not model specific, and discontinued after '00)
Hood scoops were available on Sport and Highlander models from '99-02
Yes, the Bud skids for 1st gen Tacos will fit 3rd gen 4runners.

CrunchyTaco

Thanks for moving Fink. Brian, your response was more of what I was looking for. I am aware that the e-locker was an option but had heard that they weren't available all years, just not sure which ones. I also wasn't sure if certain models only had it as an option (like how you can't have a factory e-locker on a non-TRD Tacoma). Knowing this makes my search thru autotrader much quicker and streamlined.

Quality of vehicle is most important to me but after 5 years of having a Tacoma and still not having a locker in it I would like to buy a quality vehicle WITH a e-locker also. If no luck, quality is still numero uno.

99' was also the last year for the manual, correct?

So does anyone have a 99' 4 Runner Sport with low miles, e-locker and a 5 spd that is not painted gold for sale? LOL.

Thanks gentlemen!

CrunchyTaco

Brian, after reading your build page I was wondering if you just wanna sell me your rig real cheap and ship it to the right coast? Nice truck. Yours has just about everything I want to do to one.

brian2sun

Thanks man! I don't think I'll ever get rid of this thing, I'll just keep building it until it's SAS'd, convertible, and exo-caged, haha.

BTW, '00 was the last year for a 5 spd.

Fink

IMHO I think '99 was the best year for them - I miss mine to this day.
However, I like my Tacoma more for a ton of reasons but I do miss my '99...

If you plan on lifting it or at least upgrading the suspension then you could go with a '00 but the '99s had the taller springs that everybody likes.

Fink

Fink

Check this one out...not an e-locker but something 10x better...



Fink

Mauzer

If you plan on lifting then the 99 springs don't really matter, just find a well taken care of 4wd soccer mom 3rd gen then lift it and put the ARB air locker in...cause you can't inflate your tires with an E-locker!

CrunchyTaco

I am taking my All-Pro coilovers and UCA's off my Tacoma and I have some 14" 5150's from the rear so all I would need to get is longer coils (I believe?). So yes, I plan on lifting it ASAP. I wanna lift the minimum to fit 33's and no more.

Thanks for that link Fink but I would prefer something with less miles and more soccer mom-ish like someone else said. It is very tempting though! I bought my Tacoma with some off-road stuff on it but a lot of it was rigged and jacked up so I had to take all of that crap off and start over with what I wanted. It was a hassle.

I got approved for a loan today so I gotta rev up my searching. I plan on buying the Runner and switching my suspension, tires&wheels, and skid off the truck over to the Runner and vica-versa and then selling the Tacoma as almost stock.

Thanks for the info Gents!

CrunchyTaco

Also, how many miles do yal think is too much? I know a lot of it depends on how well the vehicle was taken care of. I would like to have one under 100k but I am not having too much luck!

One of the biggest reasons I am getting rid of my Tacoma is that at 160,000 miles I am starting to have quite a few small problems going on. I am getting tired of fixing one thing to start having trouble with another. I started having the shakes last year and I have been chasing my tail and blowing money to no avail ever since. I know a lot of this has to do with the previous owner mistreating her but I can't take the little annoying problems anymore!

Elton

i like my 98 with the 5spd sure it dont have the nicer interior

Ripcord_4Runner

Im looking for something similar too.

99-00, 5speed, e-locker, highlander edition, <150,000mi, and dark green.
I'm picky, i know.

I have been combing craigslist, auto-trader, and ebay for weeks.. nothing.

skoti89

I know a limited edition did, not sure of the year. Google?