Thanks for the compliment! All 3rd gens have the ADD vacuum actuated system. Only (some but not all) Tacos were offered with manual hubs/4x4 actuation. Even though we have a manual shifter in the 4runner, the passenger side stub shaft in the diff is still actuated by ADD vacuum.

Although some people have converted to manual hubs and kept the ADD, I personally wouldn't go that route because even though you would save an mpg or 2 by unlocking the front when you're on road, the disadvantage is just having more moving parts to break on the trail.

The best way to convert to manual hubs is to get a non-ADD/manual hub front diff out of a Taco and swap it into the 4runner. But, this is an expensive mod. Recently, there was a thread about putting in a manual electric ADD defeat switch, but the purpose of this is to get a 2LO feature and also to give people with lockers up front the option of using "3wd" so they won't bind while in 4x4. Here is that thread if you want to read it:
Manual Front Diff Actuator?

There is a minor quibble here. The 2002, and maybe '01, had ELECTRIC actuated ADD systems. But all did have ADD of either vacuum or electric actuation. The J-shifter only eliminates the actuator in the transfer case, but the ADD actuators are in the front diff.

You're right, I forgot about those. Thanks for the info.

I know this is a dead thread, but I found it useful, so thank you OP.

Does anyone know if the AWD transfer case would bolt up behind the 5 speed? I assume it would, and the drive shafts would need to be changed.


Edit: Found this link. looks like the AWD t-case will bolt to the 5speed.

I just recently got my 2001 4runner.
And ive been kinda confused about all of this.
So the way im reading this post is, if i push the 4WD button on the shifter and then hit the button on my dash, while im in 4HI it puts the truck into 2HI?
Or am i way wrong?

Wow! lots of great info. Thank you all for the input and knowledge base.

So, I do have a question of my own. Basics are, im running in a 1996 5spd sr5 4wd with the J shifter as shown in the first post. I have been having problems with the 4wd not engaging and have thoroughly narrowed it down to the switch that is connected to the J shifter and the t-case. In about 5 min I will be digging through and trying to see if I can pull the switch out and clean it to see if that fixes it all.

My question is, if I can not clean it to fix it, do you have a toyota dealer part number, the local dealers do not seem to have it?

Got more info after a few days of searching and calling.

So this is the solution to my problem of the H4 and L4 not engaging in my 96 SR5 5spd.

The switch transfer indicator (attached to the transfer case on the top side) are the problem makers. The part numbers for these are:

84222-35110 SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.1. SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.1 (11.1995-08.2000) RZN185,VZN185..SR5B,SR5V;

84222-35080 SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.2. SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.2 (11.1995-08.2002) RZN185,VZN185;

84222-35070 SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.3. SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.3 (11.1995-08.2000) RZN185,VZN185;

As you see three of them, H4 indicator, L4 indicator, and Neutral Position. Although I don't know the order in which, so I am just going to replace them all.

Got more info after a few days of searching and calling.

So this is the solution to my problem of the H4 and L4 not engaging in my 96 SR5 5spd.

The switch transfer indicator (attached to the transfer case on the top side) are the problem makers. The part numbers for these are:

84222-35110 SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.1. SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.1 (11.1995-08.2000) RZN185,VZN185..SR5B,SR5V;

84222-35080 SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.2. SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.2 (11.1995-08.2002) RZN185,VZN185;

84222-35070 SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.3. SWITCH, TRANSFER INDICATOR, NO.3 (11.1995-08.2000) RZN185,VZN185;

As you see three of them, H4 indicator, L4 indicator, and Neutral Position. Although I don't know the order in which, so I am just going to replace them all.

From another post I have seen it needs to be engaged at the lower speed <55

That seams like a waste of money. But if you are into buying new stuff, don't forget to buy the switch in the ADD itself, the VSV valves, Vacuum hoses, vacuum check valve, vacuum servo and the relay that controls it all.

Then you will have a brand new ADD system or you could man up and just replace what is malfunctioning.

Errr, they are the things malfunctioning. Or, I could jerry rig it with my own switch. That would be the money saver eh? Or you could say which is which so I only have to buy two. Or you can man up ask what was happening, and come up with a solution that saves me more money.

Maybe im being sarcastic, maybe I am not. Maybe I want this thing to last another 230k miles?

But hey, all input is good input?

New to the forum but have followed this thread many times....
Many thanks for the tons of good info here on this thread...
The 2002 does indeed have an electric actuator. BUT there is a rubber (vacuum ?) hose attached to the housing. This may give the impression that it is a vacuum hose. As best as I can determine it is a vent. I am not sure why that plastic cover housing the electrical contacts would need venting though !!
I have run into troubles with engaging 4Hi with flashing light on the dash etc.
My mechanic claims the electric actuator motor is shot. This electric motor is not available from Toyota (of course !) Instead they want $1900.00Cnd cash and carry for the whole actuator which THEN requires dis-assembly of the transfer case....
Fun, wow !

Fellas, total newb here. Drove a sweet 4Runner with push button 4wd that will not engage 4H when pushed and dash light will not illuminate. When I put the thing in 4L, it engages but dash light still does not illuminate. Is it a fuse or something worse?

Anyone know if a 99 SR5 transfer case will work with a 99 Limited (multimode) system? I found a nice, low-mile, rust-free transfer from the SW, but it's for an SR5. I'm just not certain whether I can use my multimode shifter with it. Thanks for the help!

Well, the push button won't work.

Here's the LTD shifter:


Here's the SR5 shifter:


So the same pattern, but no button.