So I have decided to do the "Grey" wire mod on my 2001 4runner SR5. I opened the kick-plate and this is what I found





No green box, no black box but metal. I have a 2001 SR5 with what I believe is a center locking diff. I have heard mixed results about the differences of the rear locker and the center locker and from practical application it seems to essentially work the same.

Here is my set up and things that my rig can do.

Center console setup with the 4WD engage button.




Dash "GREEN" indicator lights on all 4 wheels after that button is depressed in PARK and the knob in Hi position in the transfer case.




Center Locking diff button to the left of the steering column, pressed while in 4Hi and then subsequent "ORANGE" middle indicator on the dash- Still in 4Hi.




[Notice VSC light illuminated on the left]



And photo of where black differential wiring "ECU" housing should be




So my question is: Where in the fiery hell is it? Does my truck not lock? Is it some super special edition that is going to make my life hell if I try and re-gear the existing differential? The short of it being, what type of 4Runner package do I have?

This is my wife's old car that I got her after we bought her a new Camry, and I have been itching to get it onto the trails. When we were dating, if I hit a speed bump too hard she would yell at me but now that it's mine, I am definitely starting some upgrades.

The wiring coming out of the 4WD Computer (as it states on the side of the metal wiring housing) has a long female connector that has probably 20 pins in it. There is a BLUE/RED wire like the 4runner guys are saying they needed to ground and it has a GREY wire like the Tacoma guys are saying and I don't know if either of them will give me the free-range locking ability that the GREY WIRE MOD is supposed to give. By default I can lock in 4Hi but not 2WD. Which would be the only added advantage by doing this mod, but more traction is more traction.

Can anyone help me decipher what kind of system this is and explain some Pros/Cons about the center diff?

I originally found the write up that best suited me HERE

Let me know what you think?

Thank you very much

 

2000 was the last year for a rear locker

 

So what does this mean for me and the grey wire mod?

 

it means you dont have a rear locker, so you cant do the grey wire mod..

 

The differential lock is different from a center diff "lock". Two very different things, and so you will unable to do a gray wire mod because you do not have the rear diff lock.

 

My understanding is the "grey wire" mod is only for the rear diff locker which, I don't believe you have...

 

It means you don't have a rear locker to do the grey wire mod to.

:wabbit2:

 

Got it. Dead horse beaten. Off to find a locker. Thanks for the clarification.