Hello folk, I am a new proud owner of a 2001 4runner SR5 A/T 4x4 and new member to this awesome site/forum. Check out the photos (I hope I've done the uploads successfully, cell phone quality). I haven't seen much 4runners this color. I purchased this vehicle with 99,580 miles for $9,677. Seems fair? I do know a few things about cars and can fix anything myself besides tearing down the internals of a motor. I do not have the tools or mindset to even break down the internals of the engine. With that being said, when I purchased the vehicle I checked everything from under the hood, under the car, gaskets, seals, rust, axles, cv boots, exterior, electronics, couplings, everything I could think of for any leaks or signs of wear and I was rather impressed. Zero to nothing of the negatives. Maybe 2 or 3 dings on the exterior of the car but that's what you'd expect from a 10 year old car. Only flaw I got when I took it home was that the 10amp fuse for the rear lights were out, so I purchased 2 new ones from pep boys (phew, I had my fingers crossed and hoped that there wasn't a short somewhere). I've had the 4runner for 4 days now, been driving it ever since just to get the feel of things, but the 4runner will be my secondary vehicle. As everyday goes by I'm starting to think I bought a darn-good car.

I test drove the vehicle which ran smooth, tried the 4x4 and everything seems to shift smoothly (drove the 4x4 on HI from 0-45mph then I shut the
4x4 off), my question is how do I know if the 4x4 is working properly? I know I wasn't supposed to drive it on 4x4 on dry pavement but I had to make sure it was shifting smoothly. This is my first 4x4 vehicle so I am new to 4x4's.

I have acouple of questions? Please bare with me.

1. I don't plan on hard-core rock crawling or mudding much, but I will use it to tow a bass-boat in the future. Some areas where I launched the boat does not have a launch ramp, so it is just dirt and gravel. How should my tranny be set when I pull the boat back out of the water? trans on "L"? and
4x4 on LOW? until I get out of the water?

2. How should I test my 4x4 next time I get out on dirt/gravel/mud?

3. Which fender flare would be best for my year? 99-00 highlander series or Limited series?

4. Can I purchase a Limited Edition air control unit and swap it in my SR5?

5. Lastly, what did I benefit from buying the 01-02 series compared to the 96-00 years? If any? besides the bumper, grills, rear diff lock and center lock.

Thanks and please responds as I am looking forward to reading every members response. Remember I am a 4x4 newbie...LOL.

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2. Your 4wd high on a 01 can be used all the time as long as you dont engage the center diff lock. If you engage the center diff lock it will act as a traditional 4wd.
3. The highlander flares are easier to install because the big flares on the limiteds require drilling into the fenders.
4. No only way would be to buy a limited. I heard it doesnt work very well anyway.

Thanks for the reply rjaudi, so when I'm on 4x4 and I engage the center diff lock, will I feel the difference? any type or jerk? noise? How can I tell? Like I mentioned earlier, I just got the car, been busy at work and haven't got the chance to use the 4x4 yet?

You'll hear a click, and you'll really feel the 4 wheel drive working. With the center diff unlocked (orange light out), it'd be very difficult to tell if you're in 2 or 4. It's very smooth and seamless.

Thanks for the reply LINY4Runner, so with the center diff locked and 4 wheel drive on, I shouldn't do any faster than 45mph right? Can you answer the question to number 1 in my original post.

I wouldn't drive on pavement with the center diff locked at all, and I doubt you'll be exceeding 45mph off-pavement, but yeah I would keep the speeds low with the center locked so that if it starts to bind it's easier for you to stop the truck than if you're flying, you know?

for question 1- I would use 4LO for sure, just to keep the RPM's up and not to kill your transmission. You can drop it into L also, just don't mash the throttle...slow and steady...so you don't dig yourself 4 holes...

Okay very last question for you LINY, If I am pulling my boat out of the water and it's not a man-made launch ramp, so now I'm dealing with mud, water, gravel and dirt to top it off the area is not leveled with multiple pot holes. Should my center diff lock be turned on with the 4x4 just for precautionary measures? or should I be fine with just the 4x4 ON with LO?

^^^^ BTW, the rear locker was discontinued after '00 (I wasn't sure if you thought you had one). A center diff locker (like you have) is convenient for on road with the AWD feature, but doesn't improve off road ability over a normal 4x4 4runner. 4runners equipped with the rear locker have a very serious off road traction advantage. Rear lockers can also be added (like I did) and there are several choices (but that's a whole new topic and there's lots of info on here about that if you search).

Oh yeah, and welcome to t4r.org!

Geez, Thanks awhole bunch brian2sun, that cleared up awhole listfull of things that I was confused about. I did see and search previous post's about the 4 wheel drive but was still not understanding it exactly. One thing you mentioned that did hit me by surprise is that I didn't know that if I put it in 4LO I didn't have to press the center diff lock, it automatically turns center diff lock on. BTW, I knew my year didn't have the rear locker, just the center diff lock. Again, thanks abunch, glad to be apart of this org.

I use would use 4lo when launching for sure. As for the CD, it depends on the situation, but if its a nice smooth dirt area i would not use the CD. I launch my jetski at this spot thats not very steep and the lake bed is nice and compacted i have to back about 20ft into the water to get the trailer deep enough, i keep it in 4lo and D and just be easy on the throttle. One thing i would highly recommend if you will be doing things like that, is extend your diff breather. that way you know its above the water line at all times.

oh yeah, dont do this locked 4lo didnt help at all. got a tug out.

But from what brian2sun said, the Center Diff is automatically locked when on 4LO right? Where is the diff breather located at? What issues will the 4 runner have when diff breather is submerged in water?

mine does not automatically lock in 4lo, i have an 02 tho but i would assume that wouldn't matter. As far as getting water in there, it wil ruin the oil and could potentially cause problems with your differential or axles seals/bearings. Its a very quick and easy job. i dont know where a write up is but all you do it a run a vacuum line or something of the like off the pumpkin up to the fuel tunnel or some where up higher.

Oh alrite, mine is a 01 also and i would think that we both have the same tranny/4x4 options? I'd have to try it this weekend to find out. Thanks for all the replies.

You're right, the center diff doesn't automatically lock on the '01/'02s. The '99/'00 Limiteds have no switch for the CDL. Instead they have a different t-case lever with an extra position and the CDL is integrated into that. 4lo is always locked on those. Sorry for the confusion, either way if you need 4lo you'll probably want it locked anyways.