Having been through a water damage "accident". My opnion is the more computers there are, the more there are to get messed up. If your really into 4x4ing... you should know accidents happen. But, personally... i like to feel whats happening and try to fix what is going on in my truck, not some computer. Same with ABS. ABS even is worse on snow and mud than the good old elbow greace. Personally... I would get a 98. Save some cash buying the thing, and get some ARB lockers, a lift and some descent tires and you will be able to do MUCH better than a rear and center "computer controlled" model. And well, i'm not too keen on the whole extra long bumper of the 99+s either. But that is just my .02!!

 

The part time/fulltime sytem must be the difference then since I remember someone pointing out the part numbers are the same for all the suspension pieces between the two years. I'd guess that would make a 2K truck with a part time system the same as the 99's since all the 4wd parts are identical too...

 

This is perplexing. Before I got my truck I looked at a few different ones. One dealer had a 99 and a 2000 model and side by side at least the bumper height was the same. I didn't measure undeneath tho...

 

As of 3 weeks ago, the last time I saw Ducky, he was still trying to find a way to disable it, and was talking to Daryll, a toyata mechanic, to see if Daryll knew anything about it.

I'm not pretending to know all the details about that system, just relaying information from what a couple friends experienced. I guess I was mostly irritated with you making a huge sweeping statement, without initially adding any info to back it up.

Pissing matches over the internet are stupid.

 

I agree with you 100% Again, I wasn't arguing. I even included a little smiley in my first post to ease any tension that may have been introduced. I guess I was unsuccessful. I am not one that condones such behavior, especially on this site.

I still remain quite perplexed why Ducky and Millenium are still having a problem with this. Hmm.

 

Different springs wouldn't have anything to do with the difference in clearance below the diffs would it?

I was under the impression (though I'd love to be corrected if I am wrong as I'm learning here) that what's above the diff doesn't really have much to do with your resulting clearance, and that the only way to obtain clearance would be to have bigger tires.

Therefore, it would have to be something other than springs that Toyota changed on the '00 models.

 

That holds true for a solid axle, such as in the back, but whereas the front is independent, the whole thing is raised up in the center. The lower control arms on the sides wouldn't be raised as much, though. I'm sure a picture would help illustrate the point.

 

Also from Toyota itself, look at the specs for the two different 4x4 systems and trim levels:

Base & SR5: part time 4x4, 10"
Limited: Multi-Mode, 9"

Multi-Mode wasn't available on all trim levels until 2001.

I also know from experience as I originally owned a '99 SR5 and a friend had a '99 Limited, and his truck sat an inch lower. Also confirmed by the owner's manuals for that year.

 

Rich, oddly enough, I've never seen that published. Very interesting. Send me a link sometime if you run across it again, if you would.

Now I know I've measured both Limiteds and SR5's and there has been little variations during each year, and certainly not as much as 1". I've never even thought about the differences between the models (as far as what system it has) when I've gone out, but something for me to look for the next time. I certainly wouldn't think an added differential and 2 computers would weigh the things down that much.

In regards to the following message, thanks, Rich.

 

Darren,

I'll keep my eyes open for it; I remember it being listed in my owners manual for that year. I can't understand the difference either but I think it's due to how the suspension is "slung" and some ride comfort issues. Since the MM system is shared with the LC, the comfort/non-truck ride issue must factor into it somewhere.

 

I personally would rather have a part time/full time system even if it means losing 1 inch of ground clearence. (won't I get some additional groud clearence if I take of the side step rails?) At least it looks that way on my wife's.

What about larger tires as well, you could get more clearence back with those.

My Jeep only has 8.5 groud clearence, and I have really only got it bottomed out, and stuck one time.

I have a 30 mile commute through 2 different counties and live on a steep hill. when it snows some parts will be really cleared to the pavement and other places will still have snow on it, its nice to just leave in the 4 wheel full time and forget it, than to be worrying about having to shift the part time system, it could get damaged if I do run on some dry pavement.

I also like to use the full time system in heavy rain as well. My jeep cherokee has part time/ full time and I probably leave it in full time about 20% of the time. I only use part time when I am doing the more serious off roading.

Also its much easier when your dealing with women to say 'honey just leave it in 4 wheel full time mode all the time. With part time you have to worry about them forgetting about it, and leaving it in there on the dry pavement. ' at least thats what my wife would probably do...

I am not saying its better, I am just saying for my situation multi mode is better.

But I also want a rear locker. So I guess I was right in figuring it has to be a 99 or 2000 limited.

thanks for all the great info guys.

 

To answer about the thermometer, my wifes 99 limited has one. It might only be included in the upgraded HVAC controls though.
Just wondering about his one inch less grond clearance. Where is this being measured? Just wonder if it might be in the running boards. Aren't the Limiteds running boards different than non Limited? From looking under my wifes 99 with multi mode and comparing to her 98 without; the only difference I could see in the transmission/transfer case was an actulator on back of the multi mode transfer case. I think multi mode is great to have. Haven driven on snow/ice covered roads over the past week , it is a nice option to have.

 

The inch less is "probably" measured at the transfer case/crossmember from what I've read in this thread. Running boards aren't down that low, IIRC.

 

I believe that is where Toyota "measures" it as the historical 11" mark is close to where the transfer skid plate is. I measure front diff, rockers/pinch weld, transfer case, gas tank and rear diff. You know, everything important relating to ground clearance, and where you want obstacles to stay away from. Measuring at 1 point doesn't mean a whole lot.

 

What is the stock height of the 2nd Gen, '95 specifically? I'm just curious, I could go out and measure but I figured somebody would know off the top of their head.

Thanks guys!

Fink

 

I've only come across two 95's, so I'm not sure how consistent the following numbers are. I haven't measured the transfer case and the gas tank on them yet.

Front diff: 11"
Pinch weld: 19.75"
Rear diff: 9.5"