Hi, I'm shopping for a third gen 4Runner and just looked at a really clean '96 SR5 model. One thing that surprised me was that it is an AWD, not the usual 2wd / 4wd I was expecting. I've been Googling and can't seem to find any information on this particular model, it's like they don't exist. Does anyone have any info on the AWD version of the gen 3?

 

Uhhh never heard of an AWD 4runner until 2000+ i think?

 

Yeah me neither. You think the guy is lying to me and it's really just 2WD?

 

closest thing to AWD were the later models (multimode transmission/center diff. lock, etc) if i have it right. i think they started in 99-00 limiteds, and expanded in 01-02.

the 4runner you looked at (assuming it's a 96) is either:
a) 4 wheel drive (two sticks), or
b) 2 wheel drive (one stick)

 

I don't think a awd version of the 4x4 4runner happened untill the 99 model year. They are not just plain awd they have an option to run 2wd-awd-4hi-4lo. Just look under the rig and see if it has a transfercase,front diff and cv's...should be pretty easy to identify. Now that I think about it you dont even need to look under the rig.... You should see a 4wd lever next to the shifter auto or manual and know if its 2wd or not.

ahh you beat me to it Nuthuts

 

'96s came in 2wd and 4wd - that's it. Although, someone could have retro-fitted a 99+ t-case in there so it's possible that it could be multi-mode. If the guy is claiming that it has AWD only (no 4wd), they don't exist.

 

nice yota!- same post count at the time, too. must've been the stars aligning. you buy a wa lottery ticket, i'll do the same out here. 50/50.

 

haha yep no 4runner had awd then that guy made that up

 

im guessing he means 4 wheel drive. It seems to be a common misconception. 4wd, awd...its all the same to some people.

 

Yeah, you're probably right.

 

Some people get confused too with the 4Runner Limited. My Limited has pushbutton 4hi and there has been misconceptions this is multimode

 

It's not the Limited model, it's SR5. And there's no transfer case shift stick, only the transmission stick. I'll have to go back for a second look in the daylight (was dark by the time I took it for a test drive) to look underneath and confirm what's going on. I hope he's not lying to me, it's really hard finding the 3rd generation trucks for sale at a reasonable price around here.

 

AWD didn't actually start until 2001, then they offered an unlockable center (aka tcase) differential. In the 99-00 limiteds, you had 2HI, then you could push a button for 4WD. Since the center diff didn't unlock, you were in actual 4WD. Pushing the lever forward gained you 4LO.

2001+ they offered a stick with 2HI, 4HI, 4HI-L (locked case) N, and 4LO-L. They changed the shift pattern from a H-N-L (96-00 limited) to a J shift pattern with a push button 4WD button.



It will be REALLY easy to figure this out. There will either be one stick, or two. That simple.

If the truck is a V6 and a manual trans, it can ONLY be a 4x4. 4Runners did not offer a 2WD V6 5speed in 1996. It is possible that its a 4cyl 2WD 5speed, but its SUPER SUPER rare, and not SR5 IIRC.

However as stated above by other members, it simply cannot be an AWD because they didn't offer it that year. It can only be 2WD, or 4WD.

 

Exactly what I was thinking

 

It's 2WD then.