When I was a kid, before my 4Runner was MINE, it belonged to my dad who bought it brand new in 86. Being a younger guy he bought for one main reason, fun. I was 4 at the time but remember vividly spending my childhood in it. One day at the beach we pulled up to some jacked up silly chevy thing that was about to be sucked in with the tide. My dad did the right thing and pulled him out. After which he told me why the 4runner was able to do that while the huge truck got stuck. He told me (the way you would explain to a child) that on HIS 4runner each wheel was given equal amount of power, so if it were lifted off the ground all four wheels would spin at the same rate. Now I was like ten at the time so he didn't explain anymore, but my dad was the kinda person to modify things.

How can I tell if he ever installed them?

 

jack the 4 runner up, so both rear wheels are up in the air. Grab one, and spin it. If they spin opposite, then no, you don't. If they spin the same direction, its pretty likely.

Do the same for the front.

 

Thanks, I'll try that. Anything else?

 

can you ask your dad?

 

x2 although the answer to that could be REALLY depressing...

The other option would be get the wheels spinning on slick ground and see if only one per axle turn

 

Exactly what I was thinking

 

Ok guys. I would ask if I could. Duh!

 

get out in a wet area , grass would be nice, find an unmoveable object, put your bumper gently on it and ask your firneds to see if all 4 wheels are turning. do this gently don't just floor it
works every time

 

I do believe TC's idea might be a little less likely to cause damage or maybe just to me. I would raather do a burnout in some dirt or wet pavement personally.

 

limited slip will act the same way (atleast myne does) as far as both wheels spinning in wet grass, mud or even wet pavement as long as there equal pressure on both tires. If it were me I would jack it up spin rear wheels if both go in same direction u have atleast limited slip or a locker. then put one tire in the air and see if it acts like a limited slip or locker or open diff. Open diff with one tire in air will just spin tire in air and thats it. locker with one tire in air will spin both tires equaly and still move u forward and limited slip should kinda jerk u trying to move the tire in the ground.

 

go take your truck off road, get one tire in the air and there you go, if the one in the air spins no, if both spin you do. my opinion on testing it anyways.

 

Just jack it up and spin it like has already been said... You'll know in 2 minutes.

Or if you want to get technical, pull the 3rd and post pics. Then you'll not only know if you have a traction aid, you'll know which one and what brand.

 

Jacking it up & spinning the wheels by hand will work.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I'll try them all.

 

Tell us what you come up with when you do find out though!!