I am going to buy a 1999 or 2000 4runner. I would like someone to tell me what the difference is between the multi-mode transfer case and the standard transfer case. Is one better than the other and why? I know the shift knobs are different. The multi-mode has H2 H4 H4L N L4L while the standard only has H2 H4 N L4. I am going to be using this truck on very rough and muddy roads with some hard climbs. I understand the multi-mode has a locking differential, but what locks up the standard transfer case? Thank you for your help. The truck I get will also have the rear locking differential.

not sure but I'm guessing that the newer has the push button 4H.

But I'd say get the one with the locking rear diff as you'll be very happy that you did.

The only difference is that the multi-mode systems add a center differential so you can run in AWD. When locked, it is a conventional 4WD system and no difference between the 2 types. Personally, AWD is over-rated.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Darren:
<strong>Personally, AWD is over-rated.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Why?

I disagree. Part-time 4WD is terrible in winter unless all you drive in is 2 ft of snow, and steering w/ part-time requires a lot more planning and reaction and space than an open center diff. My full-time AWD is as seamless in snow and ice as dry pavement.

I guess I drive slow and safe enough in those conditions that I wouldn't select it if I had the choice to buy one or the other. Maybe I would, I don't know. Probably not if it were considerably more. I'm sure the price difference is nill, all else being equal, for the years he's looking at. Sure, I use it since I have it, but I don't need it. That is why I said "personally."

Thank you for your replys. Does the standard use friction disk and the multi-mode use a gear diff lock?

If I had the multi-mode system, there would be times where I'd use the AWD mode to improve stability and help prevent fishtailing to an extent when the roads are wet and only bridges might be icy, but most traffic is still moving 60 mph. It almost seems absurd to put it in 4WD (or center diff locked) at those times just to prepare for ice on occasional bridges.

If you don't think you'd use the AWD much, then there's some positive points to keeping things simple and not even having a center diff. Note that the part-time 4wd is functionally the same as locking the center diff on the multi-mode system.

Thanks for the reply Jeff. If you do not think one is better than the other on the trail then I will not have to worry. When I read about your 4 runner it helped me decide to get the 4 runner instead of a D 90. Your setup is too nice. I would like to know were you got your rear bumper? I am a welder and would love to fab one like it for my 4 runner (when I get it.) It is hard to find a 4 runner highlander with the rear locker in Georgia, but I will not stop trying until I get one. Thanks, monsterhead

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by monsterhead:
<strong>I would like to know were you got your rear bumper? I am a welder and would love to fab one like it for my 4 runner (when I get it.) monsterhead</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Great...then you can fab me up one for my rig after that!!! Haha <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Keep us posted on your findings.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by monsterhead:
<strong>I would like to know were you got your rear bumper?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Thanks! I had Rockstomper custom build it for me 2 years ago. It's mostly 3/16" steel square tubing. It's not perfect, but AFAIK it was the first 3rd gen custom rear bumper built from scratch. This is the only one he made and it's extremely unlikely that he would build another one since he's been avoiding a lot of custom work lately.