02 Traction Control-Don't Buy? or OK?
- Thread starter bluecollarjock
- Start date
bluecollarjock
New member
As far as tires...I grew up in OH and PA where mud was the game. Then still being young in college I kept mud tires on my K5, although I was in upstate NY and they were awful in the snow and rain, but I thought they were so cool! 
Years later, I finally got to the point that instead of loving mud tires, I dread them now! If I ever live someplace there is mudding to be done, I will buy a cheap beater 4x4 and mud the heck out of it....but all my 4x4s now have ATs. And ATs seem to be quiet, better mpg, last twice as long, and still wheel anywhere my lockers and driving ability take me. Guess I am just old...I no longer see trucks with 37s and 44s and drool.....now I look at trucks with 33s and 35s and say yea thats the max I would want to go...and maybe if I do find a 3rd Gen, or a Jeep XJ, I wouldn't mind keeping them on a tire in the 31-32" range, just have lockers and the right gearing, and see how far they can wheel while still being way better on the street than a tall truck! Guess I am just getting old haha...
Years later, I finally got to the point that instead of loving mud tires, I dread them now! If I ever live someplace there is mudding to be done, I will buy a cheap beater 4x4 and mud the heck out of it....but all my 4x4s now have ATs. And ATs seem to be quiet, better mpg, last twice as long, and still wheel anywhere my lockers and driving ability take me. Guess I am just old...I no longer see trucks with 37s and 44s and drool.....now I look at trucks with 33s and 35s and say yea thats the max I would want to go...and maybe if I do find a 3rd Gen, or a Jeep XJ, I wouldn't mind keeping them on a tire in the 31-32" range, just have lockers and the right gearing, and see how far they can wheel while still being way better on the street than a tall truck! Guess I am just getting old haha...
Unner
New member
Not old, you're just reasonable. All the jacked up full size trucks with 37" tires are pointless. My truck will go 3 times as far as any of those trucks would off road...
Also, just fyi you're safe to put any 99+ limited 4WD or any 01-02 4WD into 4WD on dry pavement. It's just AWD until you lock the center dif so no binding or any other damage can occur until the center dif is locked. They have the multi-mode transfer case that allows the AWD function.
Also, just fyi you're safe to put any 99+ limited 4WD or any 01-02 4WD into 4WD on dry pavement. It's just AWD until you lock the center dif so no binding or any other damage can occur until the center dif is locked. They have the multi-mode transfer case that allows the AWD function.
bluecollarjock
New member
Thanks Unner...
If I go back and drive it again I will try it out...however I think I am leaning to going back to drawing board and waiting on something that makes me excited. Heck I just missed a 98 4runner with turbocharger, locker, OME lift, ARB bumper and only 75k miles for only $6k. I emailed the guy with no response, and now I see that same 4runner for sale for $16,500 a half hour south of me. Someone obviously grabbed it and is just reselling it immediately for a profit.
So I will wait until something really grabs me...if anyone wants an 02 its probably a sweet deal at only $6500 with low miles, but I do not want to immediately have to spend a grand on tires, and over a grand getting an ARB put in it, and the interior is sloppy for my tastes....
If I go back and drive it again I will try it out...however I think I am leaning to going back to drawing board and waiting on something that makes me excited. Heck I just missed a 98 4runner with turbocharger, locker, OME lift, ARB bumper and only 75k miles for only $6k. I emailed the guy with no response, and now I see that same 4runner for sale for $16,500 a half hour south of me. Someone obviously grabbed it and is just reselling it immediately for a profit.
So I will wait until something really grabs me...if anyone wants an 02 its probably a sweet deal at only $6500 with low miles, but I do not want to immediately have to spend a grand on tires, and over a grand getting an ARB put in it, and the interior is sloppy for my tastes....
bluecollarjock
New member
congrats!
I think the 98 with supercharger was only up for a day if that...I emailed him, no response, next day its listed out of Huntington Beach for $16500...
I think the 98 with supercharger was only up for a day if that...I emailed him, no response, next day its listed out of Huntington Beach for $16500...
SnowLizard
New member
a few things to consider...
that vsc and trac are really nice, I've known a few guys with it and snow wheeling and they get stuck less often (or almost never) compared to the guys with lockers (slippy sliddy) and they even break trail for the locker guys...
IIWIYS - I would jump on that $6500 135k 4wd, do the andy mod (30 min of your time, maybe 1hr cause you're learning) and then take to the shop and get ARB air lockers front+rear and enjoy the best a 4runner offers.
some reasoning, you'll have the safety of skid control with your AWD multi-mode transfer case with VSC and TRAC, then you can turn it off wanted and go 4wd with arb air lockers (which work faster than factory e-locker. AND you re-gear both front and rear for your 33's or 35's IF you wanted cause you're already getting lockers.
I would make an end-goal, a painted picture of what you want, then go get it.
Oh and don't be afraid of miles. just be afraid of abuse/neglect. the fact that he hasn't used the 4wd is not too concerning, dealers that change oil will check functionality of the AWD for the customer in their inspection.
when I bought my 99 ltd, I had the seller take it to a dealer for full inspection. drive train passed to my expectations.
that vsc and trac are really nice, I've known a few guys with it and snow wheeling and they get stuck less often (or almost never) compared to the guys with lockers (slippy sliddy) and they even break trail for the locker guys...
IIWIYS - I would jump on that $6500 135k 4wd, do the andy mod (30 min of your time, maybe 1hr cause you're learning) and then take to the shop and get ARB air lockers front+rear and enjoy the best a 4runner offers.
some reasoning, you'll have the safety of skid control with your AWD multi-mode transfer case with VSC and TRAC, then you can turn it off wanted and go 4wd with arb air lockers (which work faster than factory e-locker. AND you re-gear both front and rear for your 33's or 35's IF you wanted cause you're already getting lockers.
I would make an end-goal, a painted picture of what you want, then go get it.
Oh and don't be afraid of miles. just be afraid of abuse/neglect. the fact that he hasn't used the 4wd is not too concerning, dealers that change oil will check functionality of the AWD for the customer in their inspection.
when I bought my 99 ltd, I had the seller take it to a dealer for full inspection. drive train passed to my expectations.
bluecollarjock
New member
Thanks SnowLizard....if I was rolling in the dough that might be a good option!
Around here with labor prices, even with me being friendly with a great 4x4 shop, regearing and two ARBs would cost an arm and a leg! Plus a lift and new tires.... would be nice....I would also be wanting to put nice seat covers or "new" used seats, fresh radio and clean up the interior, and brakes were making some noise meaning they might need some TLC. So it is nice, low miles, and been pampered for sure....good base for someone who does their own work or has more cash then me to dump into it right off the bat as far as building it up as a bad ass wheeler or road tripping outdoor machine.
Plus seeing what other deals I missed, seems out here in SoCa so many 4x4 enthusiasts that more of them hit the market and when someone wants cash fast or just doesnt care too much about selling it for max worth, you can score big if you are patient.
I do wonder as well since someone offered me the family discount from Toyota, if I should just wait a year, grab a TRD Pro 4runner if they are still making them....and then baby it a few years as my highway machine, and then as the miles pile up start to wheel it. Toss up buy a used 3rd Gen and sink money into a sweet project and end up with $10-12k(or more spent!), or try to wait it out and spend $30-40k and get a brand new 4runner to keep for 20 years....
Around here with labor prices, even with me being friendly with a great 4x4 shop, regearing and two ARBs would cost an arm and a leg! Plus a lift and new tires.... would be nice....I would also be wanting to put nice seat covers or "new" used seats, fresh radio and clean up the interior, and brakes were making some noise meaning they might need some TLC. So it is nice, low miles, and been pampered for sure....good base for someone who does their own work or has more cash then me to dump into it right off the bat as far as building it up as a bad ass wheeler or road tripping outdoor machine.
Plus seeing what other deals I missed, seems out here in SoCa so many 4x4 enthusiasts that more of them hit the market and when someone wants cash fast or just doesnt care too much about selling it for max worth, you can score big if you are patient.
I do wonder as well since someone offered me the family discount from Toyota, if I should just wait a year, grab a TRD Pro 4runner if they are still making them....and then baby it a few years as my highway machine, and then as the miles pile up start to wheel it. Toss up buy a used 3rd Gen and sink money into a sweet project and end up with $10-12k(or more spent!), or try to wait it out and spend $30-40k and get a brand new 4runner to keep for 20 years....
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