Looking into getting a 3rd gen 4runner...the 99-02 limited or sport models.. just a few questions..

Do some 4WD models only come with only 4L and 4H compared to a fully selectable 2H,4H,4HL,4LL system? Whats the big differences?

and

I heard the factory rear e-locker only comes from 96-00. Is this true? if so, how useful is this for someone getting into off roading..also heard you can't go over 5mph when locked?

Whats the maintenance schedule on the 4runners? As in when does the big timing belt need to be done and all the other goodies..

last but not least.. whats the story on the VSC for the 4runners? only on the 01's and 02's?

Ive been looking all over my area for a 4runner..for the perfect one..the one i want are so hard to come by!

Thanks! i think thats all..

 

Elocker is a very good thing for offroading, trust us. While stock you have to be under 5mph to lock it and in 4lo. After its locked you can go faster.

There is a thing called the grey wire mod, which you can do and then be able to lock it anytime.

 

All the 3rd gen 4Runners come with selectable 2wd, 4H and 4L. The 01-02 and some of the earlier Limiteds come with the multimode 4wd system, which has a centre diff. The difference with that is you can use 4wd on any road surface with the centre diff unlocked. With the regular 4wd you need to have some slippage under the tires, eg dirt or snow.

Yes, the locker was discontinued after 2000, but it can be added to an 01-02. Either replace the entire axle with one from an earlier vehicle, or fit a locker to the existing one. It's very useful, and you can only engage it below 5 miles per hour but then you can go as fast as you want.


Timing belt is 90,000 on the later 3rd gen and 60,000 on the earlier ones. Not exactly sure what year the change over is
Correct

 

nice...welll im on the look out for a 1999+ 3rd gen Limited 4WD with the fully selectable 4wd system with the rear E-locker under or around 100k miles..

 

My $.02, if you find one w/ just the elocker and regular 'ol 4WD (for instance a '96-00 SR5), and it's in good shape, I'd say get it. Even those are very hard to find. As far as off-roading goes, the AWD/4WD runners aren't going to go anywhere a regular 4x4 runner can't. The AWD is a nice feature, but it's not a necessity for a good trail rig.

You could also do like me and many others...buy an easier-to-find "normal" 4x4 3rd gen from any year and install an ARB locker. Or retro-fit an elocker like eric-the-red said. And yes, lockers make a big difference. For me, it's the difference of having to shovel a foot and a half of snow at 6am before work, or not having to and sleeping an extra hour.

 

1996 and 1997 were the only years that got the 60,000 mile interval. 98-02 all call for it at 90,000.

 

wait so all 01-02s 4runners have the multimode 4wd systems with the center diff?

 

Yes, all 01 and 02 4wd 4Runners are equipped w/ the multi-mode 4wd system. This system first appeared in 4Runners in 99 and 00 Limited. 01 and 02 all have VSC and they also have TRAC, VSC can be turned off by locking the center diff while TRAC can only be overridden by modding. TRAC is Toyotas version of electric LSD, it applies brakes to a slipping wheel to force power to the other side. I do moderate trails getting to hiking spots and for me TRAC works well, but a locker is better, especially on harder trails. As stated the T-belt is 90k and most do the water pump, pulleys, tensioners, crank and cam seals and all belts while in there. Also realize that in 01 Toyota made 4Runners drive by wire, some have experienced issues with the Bosch throttle setup and they are not cheap to replace. Also there seems to be a failry high number of tranny failures on 01 and 02 generally centering around the O/D planet. And I have an 02 so I'm not bashing these years, I love mine and it been OK aside from a blown transfer case at 100k, just throwing all the info out there.

 

hmm i see, in terms of power..how much is there? im sure there is enough out their on trails but for passing power? the only thing i can think to compare it to toyota wise is, a toyota previa s/c. My family use to have one and it had similar stats in HP and TQ. Can the 4runner cruise at 80mph with ease even to pass at the speed? just curious..

 

I looked at the s/c Previa numbers and they seem to be 160/200 for a 3600 lb van, the 3rd gen 4Runner is 183/217 for a 4,000 lb vehicle, so I suppose the power would feel very similar. As for holding 80 on the highway, the 3.4 is up to the task with relative ease, long steep hills may require the t/c to unlock or a downshift to 3rd, but that's not a big deal. Same goes for passing, with a downshift the Runner will scoot around traffic. Mind you, just because that 260hp Maxima in front of you made it around the big rig doesn't mean you will. The only times I have ever been a little disappointed with the power of my 02 have been up in VT where its steep and hilly everywhere, load it up with five people and try to cruise over some of those passes and the truck definitely struggles.

 

The 3.4L 4runners are great until you load them down. With just 1 or 2 people inside, they usually move pretty good, even on the hills. If you end up getting one and put 33's on it (like most of us on YT), you'll start to feel the lag. I regeared to 4.88s with my 33's and now I can go up my normal mountain pass (5500 ft. ascend) and pass up almost everyone. With 4 people and camping gear, I can still keep up. If you end up buying a 4runner, either stay w/ stock tires or regear if you want to keep the truck fast, or get one with a super charger.

 

hmmm not looking to make it fast or anything. I just came from a stage 2 wrx wagon, looking to more to something where i dont have to worrie about putting miles on and can literally go anywhere. Not looking for the big power, just the nice torque.

edit - what do you guys think about this one
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/1392511149.html

looks to be really good - located in seattle. im from bay area california so im willing to fly up and drive it down.

how much do you think would be a good price for the 4runner?

 

Seems priced a little high to me.

Make sure what ever you buy you know the condition of the underside, as far as rust goes.
Especially before you go flying anywhere to pick it up.

 

hmm i have a few more questions

im looking at tons of 4runners for sale and do all ones with the button on the left side of the steering wheel with the orange wording on it, have the rear diff lock?

since all the 01-02s have the center diff, this also means they have the multi mode 4wd correct? meaning you can select the 2H,4H,4HL,4LL modes? because i see some 01s with just the 4H N and 4L

also..

There is a center diff lock which all 4runners have? and then just the individual rear locker?

correct me if im wrong..Thanks

 

I would check to see if it has an elocker for sure. It wouldn't be to hard for someone to buy just a $10 switch and fake it. Look at the diff itself and make sure there is a wiring harness coming out of it. When you test drive it engage the locker and slowly turn tight circles in a parking lot. If the back is really locked you will hear one rear tire skip and squeal on the pavement (keep in mind that normally 4Lo must be engaged 1st before the locker will engage). You can also test normal 4hi and 4lo (center diff locked) by doing the same thing - you will feel binding when turning tightly on pavement if it is working properly. In the multimode AWD, you won't feel the binding between the front and rear axles until the center diff is locked. Just do the tests one at a time with the other features off.

Yes, the center diff=multimode. Only the multimode runners have the center diff lock. The normal 4x4 runners just have a transfer case that is either engaged (4x4) or not (4x2). The AWD feature of the multimode allows you to have the transfer case engaged, and with the center diff unocked, it allows for slippage between the front and rear axles, thus AWD. When the center diff is locked, it makes it just like a normal tansfer case which does not allow for slippage.

 

hmm i see so can the multimode system still only have 4H N and 4L on the 4wd shifter? not all of them have the fully selectable system correct?

and let me get this clear..

if you have the center diff lock next to the steering wheel, you have the multimode 4wd system regardless of all the options from 4wd shifter. this locks all wheels, making all wheels move at same speed.

if you only have the Rear E locker button next to the steering wheel, you have the regular 4wd system, just with the rear locker that needs to be engaged in 4L that locks the rear diff only making the rear wheels spin at the same speed..

thanks for all your help guys..

 

As far as I know, all '01 and '02 4x4 Runners are multimode and they will all have the same 4x4 shifter w/ 4H, N, and 4LO like the "normal" 4x4s. The center diff lock button tells you if you have multimode. Pressing this button won't make all the wheels move at the same speed, it will make the front and rear axles turn at the same speed. Only a front or rear diff locker can make both wheels turn at the same speed on 1 axle.

If there is only a RR diff lock button, and no center diff button, then yes, it is a normal 4x4 w/ a rear diff lock (and that's still an awesome combo IMO).

 

correct me if i'm wrong but there is no center diff lock button. the only button next to the steering wheel would be the RR diff lock. there is a button on the 4 wheel drive shifter that says 4WD which puts it into all wheel drive and doesnt lock the center diff. then you are able to shift it down into 4 wheel drive high and then over to 4 wheel drive low

 

im pretty sure the multi mode 4runners, with the option, can lock the center diff. The button looks like the drive train lay out with the X on top of the line that is supose to be the driveshaft.

 

havent seen one on a 3rd gen. they are on the 4th gen 4runners. that button just engages or disengages the center diff... with it engaged its like regular 4 wheel drive, but with it disengaged its like an all wheel drive. which is pretty much the same as what i was saying. the 4WD button on the shift knob makes it all wheel drive with no locked center diff. and then you have your regular 4H and 4L