I broke my 4 runner this weekend....went on a poker run in the desert and one of my buddies broke a tie rod....someone was supposed to bring out a portable welder but after 3 hrs of waiting we figured we'd been forgotten....he attempted to drive it out with the uncontrolable wheel but once we hit the deaper sand it was a loosing battle...I wouldnt leave my friend so I chained him up to me and proceeded to pull him through the sand with pigeon toed tires....things seemed to be working well till the smell of gear oil poured out of my vents and the sounds that followed were obviously not a good sign. We both ended up having to be trailered home...I was told my transfer case is toasted but I need me rig for thanksgiving so I am desperately trying to find one but when I call to inquire about this item I get questions I dont know the answers too...shouldnt I be able to just tell them 96 runner, 3.4l, manual, rear diff locker and have them know what I need? What other info do I need to tell them to get the right part? If anyone knows or can help please....I have my toyota crownies standing by waiting for this part to help me fix my rig...

What additional info are they asking for?

Here is all the info you should need on transfer cases:
T-case Differences (all years of 3rd gens).. transfer case, AWD, multi-mode

Diff lock shouldn't matter, neither should gear ratio (at least not for the transfer case, if they are looking for diff too, then it does). I think there were some small differences between 96-98 and 99-00 (like temp sensor), but I think they are still interchangeable.

The best would be to tell us what they are asking for, so we can help you answer those questions specifically.

This guy wanted to know if it had anti lock brakes, auto or manual, engine size, and he had one other question about something else automatic but I cant remember what he asked...I really didnt think one would need more info then that...and he said they had two transfer cases one for anti lock breaks and not....but all 96 3.4 come standard with them so I dont know why he is even asking...dont they have computer systems or programs that are supposed to show you what parts go to what vehicle?

I really just want to know if there is a part or model number that I can just give them so I dont have to do the question dance with parts people that arnt familiar with my vehicle

did a quick search on car-parts and it gave these options:

2000:
6 cyl, AT, Limited
6 cyl, AT, SR5
6 cyl, MT
4 cyl, AT (auto disconnecting diff)
4 cyl, MT (auto disconnecting diff), ABS
4 cyl, MT (auto disconnecting diff), w/o ABS

1999:
4 cyl, AT, auto disconnecting diff
4 cyl, AT, w/o auto disconnecting diff
4 cyl, MT, auto disconnecting diff, ABS
4 cyl, MT, auto disconnecting diff, w/o ABS
4 cyl, MT, w/o auto disconnecting diff; ABS
4 cyl, MT, w/o auto disconnecting diff; w/o ABS
6 cyl, AT, Limited
6 cyl, AT, SR5
6 cyl, MT

1998-1996:
6 cyl, AT, Limited
6 cyl, AT, SR5
6 cyl, MT
4 cyl, AT, auto disconnecting diff
4 cyl, AT, w/o auto disconnecting diff
4 cyl, MT, auto disconnecting diff, ABS
4 cyl, MT, auto disconnecting diff, w/o ABS
4 cyl, MT, w/o auto disconnecting diff; ABS
4 cyl, MT, w/o auto disconnecting diff; w/o ABS

01 had no options

Seems like 6cyl manual should be all the need to know. what else are they asking you? Most of the options are for 4cyl models.

Search Results give one of your local yards a call that show its from a manual trans truck to start with, there are a couple, just not sure how close they are to you.

Yeah, ABS doesn't matter for transfer case. You can have them look up both with and without ABS and whatever else they ask, but any V6 manual should have the same TC.

When I was looking for an axle housing, they kept asking me for the gear ratio. The gear ratio doesn't matter for the housing itself, but they had to put something into their computer, so they just kept asking. don't assume they know what they're talking about.

Not that I know a whole lot in the TC dept but all the questions didnt seem to have anything to do with the original question....anyone on here got what I need....Im having a hell of a time finding one....close enough...

Why dont they show 96 6cyl Sr5 with auto dis. diff?

Because the auto dis-connecting front diff was standard on the V6 4wd 4Runners.

Manual hubs (thus no auto dis-connect front diff) were available on 4 cylinder powered 4wd 4Runners.

I found one...its out of a 2000 tacoma with only 26k on it but he wants 350$ what do you guys think? To much?

from what I've seen, that's not bad.. Ive seen everything from 100 to 600 depending. I find it hard to believe its only got 26k on it though, Wrecked?

Im assuming so...