First of all, great site! I am new to the 4runner world and this site is loaded with great information.

I have been looking for a 4runner to buy for the past few weeks and found a nice 98 today. It has 52k on it. All options and they are asking 15 for it. How does that price sound?

Also, I have seen that there is an optional locking reardiff in the 98 and up models. I was looking on the window sticker for this runner and noticed that it had an options package that included things like wheels, running boards etc...and it also listed a rear diff with what I believe said 4.10 gears. Is this the optional locking diff and if so, where is the switch to select the mode. I looked for it in the cabin and couldn't find it.

Also, how many miles is too many for a 4runner. I am planning on having it for a long time and want to make sure that it will last. It will be a daily-driver and off-road weekender.

Thanks in advance for the help and great site!


adam
columbus, oh

 

If it has a rear locker, there will be a switch on the dash to the left of the steering wheel that says RR DIFF LOCK.

 

15 is a great price for only 52k! I have 106k on my '98!

is it 4x4? you can see if it has an elocker by asking or looking at the rear 3rd member, if it has a chunk on the side of it with wires going into it then it has an elocker.

If you want it for wheeling, make sure it's 4x4, at that price it sounds like it 4x2.

 

if you have an elocker the rear 3rd will look like the one on the right in the pic below: Sorry the pic is so big, it's not mine, I linked it from somebody elses site.

 

defigh,

i bought my 98 4wd (no rear locker) for about the same price last year. its a decent price but make sure you blue book the price to get a reference point and go check out the truck yourself.

no major problems with the 98 aside from a TSB on the rear springs (some of the early 98s), but nothing major like the 2nd gen headgasket problems.

the RR Diff button should be on the left side of hte steering column.

post some pics and links and we can better help you.

bob

 

yep, and it was aimed at the 2wd's but the went ahead and extended it to the 4x4 so there would be no confusion later.

 

hey, glad you have found this sight usefull. I have a '98 with about 102,000mi. on it. No real problems.

I know this has been asked before, but how hard/how much $ is it to upgrade to the e-locker?

 

Thanks for all the replies. It is a 4x4 (could never get a 2wd) Ok I don't think that it has the elocker. I don't remember a switch on the dash and the diff didn't look like the one in the picture. If it doesn't have the locking diff, is it still worth it? Is there a decent priced aftermarket diff out there that would be a good substitute down the road? Again thanks for all the help

here is the only pic i have of the truck. It's the autotrader pic so it's not the best:
http://autotrader.com/findacar/vdeta...lor=&cardist=6



adam
columbus, oh

 

It doesn't have the elocker... I think I am still going to get it. It is the nicest one that I could find and the mileage and price are all within my limits. And now the modding begins...


adam
columbus, oh

 

The locking diff is huge advantage off-roading, but if you do mostly street driving, the e-locker won't be of much use to you. Sounds like you already made up your mind anyways...Congrats on the new purchase!

 

yes.