I just had a quick question. I feel bad making a whole thread for it, but couldnt find any information about it anywhere. I am searching to buy a 3rd gen 4runner and some of them are second or third owner vehicles so the current owners dont know if they have the rear locker or not.
I was wondering if there is a specific location that i could tell by the pictures whether it had it or not. I have seen a couple with black buttons to the left of the steering wheel. Thats where the center lock is located on my parents 2004, but is there another possibility of what that button is?
any info would hlep. If you dont have a locker and you still have a button there, please let me know or the other way around.
Thanks for the help

 

To the left of the steering wheel on the dash. It will say RR DIFF LOCK

 

are there any other buttons that could be to the left of the steering wheel? or is that the only one?

 

it is real easy to see because it is lettered in orange. You are right though lots of owners don't even know what it is. Will not be on a 01 or 02.

 

The 01 and 02 have a centre diff lock button, in that location. They don't come with a rear locker.

 

http://www.sonoransteel.com/phong/switch1.jpg
This is it.

 

Ok thanks a lot guys. I got word back from the seller saying the button i was seeing was the start/cancel button for the clutch... guess im still searching for a 4runner to buy. Thanks again for all your help though, now I at least know what im lookin for

 

My Taco has the clutch start cancel switch to the left of the locker switch, left of the steering wheel. Do runners have clutch start cancel?

 

Yep my 4runner has the clutch start cancel button.

 

keep looking?! get the 5 speed!

unless you're holding out for a 5 speed with a locker... in that case good luck

 

Some 4Runners also have some sort of security light/button? in the same spot as the RR DIFF LOCK button. So keep an eye out on that.
Also another sign that it may have a locker is the "warning 5mph" sticker on the driver's side door.

 

yea ive got that clutch cancel switch too...anyone ever used it that NEEDED to use it? i dont really know exactly when it would be needed?

 

I hate to get off topic, but yeah, I use mine a good bit. Like when I need to warm it up or have changed the oil and need to fire it up to check for leaks and I am too dirty to get in. I don't use it all the time, but it is useful when I need it. Some others have used it for emergency purposes too. You might want to look for those threads, because I really don't understand it.

 

i used it the other day wheeling for just for kicks. i stalled on this hill, and instead of pushing the clutch in to roll down and start over, i left it in gear (was already in 1st 4Lo), pushed the button, turned the key and gave it some gas and it crawled right up. it was pretty cool, im glad i have that for when i'll really need it.

other than that, i use it every so often when i feel lazy

 

Right. Mine looks like this (from the door to the steering column)

Alarm ---- Clutch Start Cancel ----- RR Diff Lock

So essentially, every switch blank is filled from the factory. (Not that I'm complaining or anything.)

 

Thanks again guys for all your help. I am planning on holding out for a 5 speed and the diff locker. I would also like the sport edition on top of that, but if i can find a 5 speed with locker, thats good enough for me and i can just get a new hood for it later on.

 

What is a "sport edition" anyways? Other than the badge and that aluminum skid plate up front, I can't tell a difference from mine.

 

hood scoop

and other stuff like color matched bumpers...but mainly the scoop

it was called the 'highlander edition' in 99 and 2000 i believe, and changed to sport edition for 01+

 

Here in Canada we had a Badlands edition which sounds pretty much like the sports edition. Also had the locker and the hoodscoop I think.

 

Oh wow, so if I could find a canadian one, that would solve all my problems. Anyone know any canadian auto listing web pages? and I may end up just getting a normal SR5 and put the hood scoop on it, but i would rather have the true highlander or sport edition. Oh well, cant win em all I guess