Hi everyone, first post here. Looking to get a 4runner soon. There aren't many in my area so I'm looking at a lot of online classifieds. As I'm looking, I'm curious which ones have the factory e-locker. I searched the forum and found out that the ones that do have the option have a button to the left of the steering wheel. Since most of the pictures in classifieds don't focus on this area, I'm having a little trouble. I took some of the pictures as examples. (all 99's and 2000's AFAIK)
First: This one has no locker, correct?


Second:This one has a button, but I don't think it's the locker button.


Third: Some have this between the speedo and tach...


Last: This is the button I'm looking for right? The one with the Orange letters? Looks like it says RR DIFF LOCK. But this one has nothing between the speedo and tach...



Thanks for the help. It looks like I could also look under the truck to see if it has the motor on the differential, or something about a warning sticker on the door jamb, but since these are all just classifieds, I dunno what else to go off of other than the buttons...and maybe that thing between the speedo and tach?

 

All the 3rd gen's will have the RR-DIF-LOCK In orange text pictured in the fourth picture you posted. Also you can call and ask them to look I've done it before and got a kick out of having to explain what I was talking about. Also the limited were more common to have it on the earlier years. GL

 

Not all 3rd gens were equipped with the elocker - it's a pretty rare option, especially on non-Limiteds.

Probably the best way is to ask if it has the RRDIFFLOCK button.

 

Yes I meant all the ones that have the locker will have the button with RR DIF-LOCK-on it

 

OK so if it has the factory e locker it has the orange RRDIFLOCK button.

Also more common on limiteds (those don't ALL have woodgrain do they?).

So the gauge in between the speedo and tach in the 3rd pic doesn't mean anything?

 

-YES

-YES it was more common on the earlier limited 4runner and I imagine they mostly all do but you can get cover for them if you don't like it

-NO that's a universal gauge all 4wd's will have that shows the mode you in

You might also want to vist this link it will probably help yo out with any future questions...https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f63/

 

Hmm..it all seems so simple. But then in the 4th pic, it has the e-locker button (and the 4wd selector down by the gear selector), but no indicator on the dash between the speedo and tach.

Is that indicator on the dash between the speedo and tach perhaps just an option?

I did look through the FAQ(s) and searched, but didn't find any clear answers. Just that there should be a diff lock button and alot of technical info about the e locker and lockers in general.

 

Well the 1st pic is of a 2wd, So its not going to have one, The only 2wd vehicles with elockers are Tacoma TRD prerunners.

2nd pic is toyota security (alarm)

3rd one I believe is the little light that comes on to signify it is in 4wd, I believe that one is a 98 model..

4th is a locker button..

Another easy way to tell is look for this on the rear axle



Good luck on your search..

Many people (soccer moms) and such dont even know what the RR diff lock button does and have probably never used it..

 

you could be looking in the wrong part for the 4wd indicator light. On my roommate's '96 Taco, the 4wd indicator is down below the fuel gauge (3rd pic)

 

The display between the guages you are taking about it for Runners equipped with the multi-mode auto tranny which also has the center diff lock which some also had the rear diff lock.

 

early third gens that were limited only had the shift in the fly 4wd button then it became more available as the vehicle got older. That is for 4 hi which can be used on dry or wet roads.

 

Hey man-

That gauge you are talking about that has the 4wd between the tach and the speedo didn't appear until the '99 refresh. So pre- '99's don't have it, 4wd or not. I have a '98 SR5 4wd w/ rear locker and I don't have it, there is just a light that comes on in the lower portion of the instrument cluster. SO, the only thing really to look for is the RRDIFFLOCK button.

Oh and another thing... Rear locker was NOT available on '01-'02 4Runners, only up til '00. After that they went to the center locking diff.

 

^This man speaks the truth^

 

Thanks for the help! I hadn't considered that indicator might have been part of the mid gen update. I read a thread on another forum talking about rear headrests and extra cig lighter oulets and extra storage compartments...I'm guessing there's a better FAQ on this forum about the 99 update...

Now I know what I'm looking at...if I can only find what I want...

99-00 w/ locker, MT, S/C, no woodgrain, black? lol ... I'll probably be settling for less...probably alot less from what I've seen for sale within the last few weeks (Indianapolis)

 

i moved it over to where the clutch cancel used to be