I really want a '99 "Highlander." I found a very nice green one locally, but due to the year and mileage they are about impossible to finance conventionally as I've discovered. I will even buy one at a buy here & pay here place if I can find one there.

So for now I'm limited to a 2000 and newer with <70k miles on it and it has to be at a franchised dealer as well. Finding one that fits that description <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> has been impossible so far.

Main reason why I wanted the '99-'00 sport 4runner was the locking rear diff. The other things in that package were very nice and I prefer them as well, but could be swapped onto a "lesser" 4runner.

According to one popular 4runner info site, in '01 they gave the "4x4 models a standard multi-mode four-wheel-drive and four-wheel traction control (Active-TRAC). A center differential lock switch has been provided on the instrument panel so that the locking and unlocking can be controlled by the push of a button, rather than through the 4WD shifter." I'm not sure if that system is better or more problematic, any input/opinions/experience/help there?

They also discontinued the DL option <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> in 4runners from '01, so my question is that if you had to choose between an '01 without a locking rear diff or looking for an '00 non-sport with the optional DL which would you choose and why? Is the '01 and up 4wd system that much better? In '03 they really messed up the look <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> IMHO, and they decreased the ground clearance so I won't consider anything newer than '02.

If it matters, my "new" 4runner when acquired will receive an OME lift, lots of TLC and a TRD SC. Yes I'll take care of all maintenance items beforehand (that's what I do anyways.) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for any input.

I just picked up a base model '99 Runner. No diff lock, but as you said, you can retrofit it later. Not a lot of whistles and bells on my truck, but I was a bit surprised that with some of its amenities that it was NOT an SR5.

I'll take the 5 speed with the cruise control for now. ABS was optional in the Runner with the 2.7, and I do NOT have ABS (thank God). I wanna stop that thing when *I* want to, not when the vehicle thinks it should. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

One of my coworkers has the diff lock; it's next to the console dimmer to the left of the column; within easy reach, and not where you'd accidentally hit it.

Personally I would pass on a locker for driving on ice. If it were to be built to a trail rig, then I'd consider it. Check my profile; I've got lots of options on the Yota farm!

Once I get the thing winterized and all that other good stuff, I'll see what I can do to drum up a little mischief for mods beyond Hella 500's and headlight covers.

I haven't seen any TSB's out for the diff so far; you might check the database over at tundrasolutions.com or just go to Toyota's website and download a couple TSB's for $10.

www.techinfo.toyota.com

I found out a couple months ago that alldata.com no longer carries foreign makes in their TSB database. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Paid $10K, 2nd owner, grocery-gettin' pavement queen. Couple dings the size of a dime and that's it. Had my credit union hook me up at 6.4% with an online application. They had approved me up to $20K.

So far it's been a solid rig; we'll be taking a road trip in two weeks to chase kings. I think you'll wind up being happy with what you get. Keep an eye on www.craigslist.com

You might double check your credit report (note: you can't copy/paste into browser for security reasons)

www.AnnualCreditReport.com

Good luck!

As far as off-roading is concerned, it's far preferable to have a rear locker instead of Active-TRAC. My friends that have the '01 and '02 4Runners with the multi-mode and Active-TRAC do OK on tough trails, but it very definitely is not as good as simply having the rear locker. In fact, the off-road breakage of front axles of the '01 and '02 follows what you would expect with open diffs because the driver can't get up stuff and the wheels end up spinning. Spinning and bouncing often results in breakage. Since the '01 and '02 don't have a rear locker, the drivers do what they can to get through stuff, including more throttle. To fix it, they can add a rear locker. They still have the center diff that the '99 - '00 "highlander" doesn't have. I haven't seen or heard of the center diff breaking. One other remote possibility to mention -- if you ever plan to add a 2nd transfer case, it won't fit on any 4Runner with the multi-mode 4x4 which has the center diff and thus a larger transfer case (unless you relocate a frame crossmember and the gas tank, etc). There are '99's and '00's (Limiteds only) that also have the basic multi-mode system with the larger transfer case. With my auto tranny, I haven't found the need for a 2nd transfer case, but those with a stick shift will be wishing for one on the tough trails.


I'd probably keep searching for a '99-'00. But there's also the possibility that you could add a selectable rear locker to any of those possible vehicles. Rear lockers were options on ALL models of '99-'00 4Runners. You could add an ARB locker to the rear of any year 4Runner if you want to do the tough off-roading.

I've grown to prefer the Toyota e-locker in the rear instead of an ARB, but that's just because it's more robust and arguably less complex. If you do ice driving, you'll want a selectable locker so you can drive with open/open diffs on ice. That's how I do my ice racing too.


No. Toyota aimed it at the average person who might use 4 wheel drive on "rough" gravel roads or in snow. Active-TRAC works great for those situations, providing a little help to brake the spinning wheels on each axle. It's just no where near as good as the rear locker for tough stuff off-road. Toyota figured that the rear locker is too difficult for the average person to understand what's going on, so they made the vehicle smarter for some common 4x4 situations so the driver isn't expected to understand the 4 wheel drive system. Granted, I'm sure the majority of 4Runner owners don't understand the rear locker if they have it.

I agree with everything Jeff said. I wanted the newest, nicest and lowest mileage 4Runner I could find, but after owning one truck with the wonderful rear e-locker and doing research on the ATRAC and VSC systems on the '01 and '02 4Runners, I chose to buy a 2000-model year with the 5-speed trans and the rear locker.

ATRAC is better than an open diff for sure, but I like having the rear solidly locked rather than waiting for wheelspin and ABS brake action to slow a spinning wheel.

Good luck in your search,
Ken

That's exactly what I thought. Thanks for the input guys. The search will continue.

How would you go about that. Get a bone yard locking 3rd?
Now that I plunked down $7500 cash on a 98 base model I need to tighten the purse strings. I would like a traction device but on a budget. Any work I can do myself would be a plus. Advise?

Here is the install I did on my '94 pickup. It has the same rear end as the 4Runner (only it uses leafs rather than coils), but the install would be similar.

http://home.off-road.com/~kemanuel/elocker/elocker.html

Great write-up but are the modifications necessary because you are putting a 6cyl diff into a 4cyl housing or because you are going from a 98 to a 94? I have 98 4cyl w/4.56 gears. Is there no drop in solution?

If you look at the top photo in my writeup, you'll notice the e-locking third member has a solenoid and locking collar that slides back and forth to lock the spider gears. The modifications are necessary to accomodate this hardware that the non-elocking third member is lacking. Finding a factory locking third member with 4.56 gears will be very difficult; most of them will come equipped with 4.10 (manual trans) or 4.30 (automatics) ratios. The good news is you can put your 4.56 gears in the e-locking third member as I did.

Gotcha. Wonder how much a shop would charge to do that work.
Except for the gear expertise, of which I have none, doesn't look too tough. It's the down time that would get me. I suppose you could find both a bone yard axle and an e-locking 3rd and play with them both at your leisure but that would most likely defeat the low cost angle.