1999-2000 4Runner: adding RR lock if not present

[deewells]

Hi all,

2 questions:

1.
Planning to buy a 4Runner. Decided it is right for me. Will go off road. Found a 1999 Limited in perfect condition with low miles. About right for my first. Figured out I'll want RR lock and owner was honest enough to notify this one does not have it. Vehicle otherwise perfect. Anyone know if RR lock can be added and roughly how much it might cost? Dealer or specialty shop?


2.
Seems like a lot of sellers who don't know or are dishonest about the RR lock.
I know about some switches that are more or less dummy and do nothing. What is best trick to test RR lock is present, engaging and working?

Much obliged for all help!

Dee!

 

[ARC]

Hi all,

2 questions:

1.
Planning to buy a 4Runner. Decided it is right for me. Will go off road. Found a 1999 Limited in perfect condition with low miles. About right for my first. Figured out I'll want RR lock and owner was honest enough to notify this one does not have it. Vehicle otherwise perfect. Anyone know if RR lock can be added and roughly how much it might cost? Dealer or specialty shop?


2.
Seems like a lot of sellers who don't know or are dishonest about the RR lock.
I know about some switches that are more or less dummy and do nothing. What is best trick to test RR lock is present, engaging and working?

Much obliged for all help!

Dee!

Welcome to the forum. You would get a better response in the 3rd generations specific sub forum, but I will give what info I can to get you started.

1) If you search in the 3rd gen section for e-locker swap or retrofit you should find lots of info. The cost really depends on how cheap you can find used parts, and how much of the work you are comfortable doing yourself. There are also several aftermarket options with different pros and cons.

2) I have never heard of anyone wiring a dummy switch in, but I suppose it could happen. Either way you should test it before buying.
You should be able to feel and hear it engage and disengage pretty easily. Also you can look at the rear axle underneath and see if it has the locker installed or not. Look here for a picture of what it should look like.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102894-rr-diff-lock-2000-lmt-2wd.html

 

[Synister]

Check this out also
Retrofit Electric Locker

Definitely a fairly committed project, you have to physically grind on the real pumpkin, but otherwise doable if you were so inclined.

This of course is the factory solution, there are probably a few aftermarket options as well that I am unaware of.

Best of luck!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Easiest way to check if the RR diff lock is real is to press it. It should disable the ABS and the ABS light will come on. Also unless they've done the green wire mod it will only work in 4 lo.

I can't imagine somebody being so sneaky as to install a dummy RR diff lock switch and then set it up so it disables the ABS - too much work.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Get down on one's hands and knees, look at the rear differential housing on the left hand side, and if it has a locker, there will be a motor there on the left hand side housing.

Retrofit Electric Locker

If you buy a 4runner, and it doesn't come with it, I'd suggest having a specialty shop install ARB lockers in both the front and back.

 

[deewells]

RR Lock vs center lock vs ARB locker

You guys are great! Thanks for all this input! I suspect a lot of other people will appreciate this thread.

Deciding to do a retro or custom mod comes with serious questions. Adding to my first two questions:

3.
Regarding RR Lock, what is Toyota's idea of "locking"? Is RR lock more like limited slip or true locker?

4.
Some 4Runner models seem to have a center lock and others have RR Lock. Are there models with both center lock (front and rear lock) and RR lock (rear lock).

5. ARB (or maybe G2?) lockers could be interesting. Any suggestions what is realistic price for parts + install for a front + rear ARB?

 

[Martinjmpr]

The E-locker is a true locker, not a limited slip.

The only 4runners with both a rear diff lock and a center diff lock are the 99 - 2000 Limiteds and the somewhat rare 2009 Trail Editions. EDITED TO ADD: Not all 99-00 Limited 4x4s had the rear diff lock. Some do, some don't. The rear diff lock was a separate option, not a part of the Limited package.

Center Diff lock is for those vehicles with multi-mode 4wd (MM for short.) MM means you can run in 4wd on a hard paved road, basically like having an AWD car for better grip on wet or intermittently slippery surfaces.

In order for a vehicle to have MM, it has to have a center differential. The center differential is what allows the vehicle to run on hard pavement in 4wd without damaging the drivetrain.

The 3rd gens had a center diff on the 99-2000 Limiteds only, and on all 01-02 models. All 4th gen 4x4 models have the center diff.

The only downside to a center diff is that when going off-road, or on very low traction surfaces, the center diff can cause you to lose traction with one axle or the other, so for that reason, all models with a center diff also have a center diff lock, that allows you to lock out the center diff. When you lock out the center diff, the vehicle performs as if there was no center diff, or, in other words, like any standard 4x4.

The 99-2000 Limiteds had a modified J-shifter with a button on the side for 4wd. Putting the J-shifter in it's forward most position was 2wd (RWD). Then press the button and it goes to 4wd/open center diff (or, AWD mode if you prefer.) Then, if you pull the J-shifter down one notch (towards the rear) it goes to 4wd/locked center diff (or "conventional 4wd" if you prefer.)

On those 99-00 Limiteds, the rear diff lock button was on the dashboard to the left of the steering column. Unless modified, the RR diff lock will only work in 4 lo. Also I believe there was no 4 lo "center diff unlocked" mode. If you were in 4 lo, your center diff was always locked.

I'm not 100% sure but I believe the 01-02 models had a simpler shift pattern. Basically the shifter had 3 modes: Forward was 2wd/4wd, where 4wd was selected by pushing the button, then there was a neutral and all the way back was 4 lo. On those, the CENTER diff lock button was to the left of the steering column.

I don't know if the 01-02 models had a 4-lo UNLOCKED center diff option.

ALL 4th gen V6 4x4s have multi-mode with the center diff lock to the left of the steering column. V8s are full time 4wd and also have the center diff lock. The '09 Trail Edition had a rear locker, I think the button for it is on the console? 4th gen V6's do have an option of being in low range with the center diff unlocked, meaning you can drive in 4 lo on the street if you want to.

 

[fourwd1]

Moved to correct section for you.

 

[TheeMikeB]

There are plenty of aftermarket options if it doesn't have the rear locker so if the truck you find doesn't have it don't let it be a deal breaker for you. You are better off finding a good running truck that you can build upon later if you desire. Just know what you are getting into.

Gears and lockers is a big can of worms and is the most expensive modification you can make to a vehicle. Especially since most require professional installation. Or at least having the gears/3rds setup professionally and then installed by you.

Typically when you start looking at lockers you start looking at changing the gearing too because by this point you probably have a lift and larger tires... therefore need better gearing. If you change gears you need to do both front/back, while you are there might as well add locker(s). Hence the can of worms... doing font/rear gears/lockers can get near $3000 when all said and done.

ECGS has some of the best pricing around and can give you an idea of what your cost would be. Drivetrain Specialists East Coast Gear Supply

Take your time do your research and read the stickies and FAQs.