So my 2000 Limited 2WD was making a horrific squeaking noise from under the truck when backing up, especially cold. Crawled under the vehicle with the axle off the ground and pinpointed the noise to the driveshaft area, although it was impossible to determine front or rear because the noise traveled so easily. Pulled the driveshaft and the front u-joint was frozen solid. Hopefully this helps someone else. Sounded like rubber on metal and it surprised me that it was a u-joint. Silent moving forward.

Yup I saw this and was gonna say u-joint. Replace both at the same time, the other is probably not far behind it.

When in reverse, the whole tranny sits a *very* slightly different angle, and all the rust and crud in the u-joint is now being scraped in a different direction, hence the squeak.

On a 2WD, I'd suggest replacing the whole driveshaft... They are a different design than the 4WD shaft, with the center tube section having a rubber isolator that goes bad with age. A whole new shaft is basically the only answer to that.

-Charlie

Man, you got me worried. I just became a new 1st time owner of a '00 4runner limited and I hope I don't run into an issue

I'm not saying this isn't true, but I think that's jumping the gun a little, unless the OP noticed vibrations before the squeak started.
I replaced both u-joints about a year ago on a roughly 200k driveshaft and it still runs perfectly smooth at highway speeds.

I wonder why Toyota designed the 2WD driveshafts like that, especially because the 4WD ones weren't.

Well you're gonna have issues. After all, it IS a 19 year old vehicle. That being said, these are some of the easiest vehicles to work on and diagnose problems with. They are also statistically near the longest lasting, most reliable gasoline powered consumer vehicles that ever existed. So, take care of it, and it'll take care of you.

There are also plenty in junk yards, so you can usually find any part you need at any time for pennies on the dollar (as long as a used part is suitable).

When I replaced my u-joints, I just dropped the driveshaft and took it to the shop at the front of my neighborhood and picked it back up in a couple hours. $150 for both u-joints, and a 2 year, 20k mile warranty. The driveshaft is easy to drop/install. My total time invested in the job was probably less than 1.5 hours, not including waiting for them to call and say they were ready for me.

Is it pretty easy to do? And aside from junkyards what site do you guys suggest for the best deal on parts?