1999 Awd??

E

ericdg16

New member
Hello everyone. I just bought my first 4runner yesterday. Its a black 97 sr5 4X4 with the factory locker tan interior, I'll post some pics up later this weekend.

Anyway here's the problem, I got it home and turns out my wife likes it more than her car so she kinda stole it from me. So I am thinking about purchasing a slightly newer one for her so she'll let me mod this one like I want.

I found a 99 at a local stealership limited 4X4 with 125K they are asking 8K. I know the 99's offered some kind of AWD feature in addition to the actual 4wd that gave power to the front tires only when needed. Is this feature standard in all of the limited models or was it a special feature I need to keep an eye out for?? I want to make sure it has this feature, where is this switch located and what does it look like so I will know what to look for.

So excited to finally have a runner:D
 
Register to hide this ad
The part time 4wd option was only available on the '99-00 Limiteds and then in '01 showed up on the SR5 models.
 
RonMAIDEN said:
The part time 4wd option was only available on the '99-00 Limiteds and then in '01 showed up on the SR5 models.
Click to expand...

To correct the terminology, "part-time 4WD" system is a traditional 4WD system and does not incorporate a center differential, thus it's not AWD.

IIRC, it was called "multi-mode 4WD" system, which allowed "4WD" to be engaged on dry pavement. But the center diff could be locked for off-road situations.


eric - also look for a "RR DIFF LOCK" button to the left of the steering wheel. :bigok:
 
Alright does this photo mean that this runner is an AWD with only 4H and 4L. Sorry to keep harping on this issue just trying to learn all I can from the guys that drive them all the time. Photo is of a 98 limited. I didn't see this thread and I started one under the topic of Newby needs help. Thanks
 

Attachments

  • 4runner.jpg
    4runner.jpg
    51.9 KB · Views: 7,849
Alright may have answered my own question. Does the button on the side of the gear shift engage the 4x4 in 4H and also disengage back to 2H.
 

Attachments

  • 4runner.jpg
    4runner.jpg
    50.6 KB · Views: 13,578
I'll bite.

What you have is on-demand 4 wheel drive.

Under normal driving, you use standard rear wheel drive (2wd)

In snow/rain, you can select 4hi (push button) on 2nd shifter. This gives you 4 wheel drive. You can drive on dry pavement in this mode. [****EDIT - You should not drive on dry pavement on the version you posted while in 4h*****]

In really really poor conditions, stop, shift into neutral, move 2nd shifter down.

If stuck, while in neutral, move 2nd shifter over to 4 LO.

AWD means all wheels are driving, all the time with the computer transfering more power to the front when wheel slip is encountered.

The only 4Runner that is AWD is the V8 version of the late model truck.

The upside to AWD is no worries, just drive.

Downside is it is not true 4-WD. There is no lower gear options. You can get stuck and not be able to get out. Regular gas mileage is much lower. I speak having a Passat AWD vehicle. Getting stuck is not hard.

Guys- Correct me where I am incorrect (not in my truck to explain shifter).
 
Last edited:
maine runner said:
I'll bite.

What you have is on-demand 4 wheel drive.

Under normal driving, you use standard rear wheel drive (2wd)

In snow/rain, you can select 4hi (push button) on 2nd shifter. This gives you 4 wheel drive. You can drive on dry pavement in this mode. [****EDIT - You should not drive on dry pavement on the version you posted while in 4h*****]

In really really poor conditions, stop, shift into neutral, move 2nd shifter down.

If stuck, while in neutral, move 2nd shifter over to 4 LO.
Click to expand...

You're correct up until the shift procedures. You can go from H2-H4 to H4L (by moving the lever down) at speeds below 62MPH (same goes for going from H2-H4 by pressing the button on the side). You only have to stop and put it into neutral when going from H4 to L4.

maine runner said:

AWD means all wheels are driving, all the time with the computer transfering more power to the front when wheel slip is encountered.

The only 4Runner that is AWD is the V8 version of the late model truck.

The upside to AWD is no worries, just drive.

Downside is it is not true 4-WD. There is no lower gear options. You can get stuck and not be able to get out. Regular gas mileage is much lower. I speak having a Passat AWD vehicle. Getting stuck is not hard.

Guys- Correct me where I am incorrect (not in my truck to explain shifter).
Click to expand...

The 4WD systems in the V6 or the V8 are virtually the same. They are both open-center diff systems. And yes, there is a 4L in the V8
 
Last edited:
eric - also look for a "RR DIFF LOCK" button to the left of the steering wheel.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 97 I just bought has it and so does the 99 I was thinking about.

I think cruiser64 answered the question on where the button was to engage the "multi-mode 4x4"

When you use the traditional floor shifter does it automatically lock the center diff? Are there any offroad disadvantages to having the center differential.
 
ericdg16 said:

When you use the traditional floor shifter does it automatically lock the center diff? Are there any offroad disadvantages to having the center differential.
Click to expand...

Yes, when you push the lever down (it's a J-shift lever) to H4L, it locks the center diff (that's what the L stands for - Lock). There is no off-road disadvantages with this set up. Actually, you get the best of both worlds -- Ability to run AWD on pavement and 4WD off-road. I wish my Tacoma had that.
 
Actually, you get the best of both worlds -- Ability to run AWD on pavement and 4WD off-road. I wish my Tacoma had that
Click to expand...

Since you mentioned it......Were any year model taco's available with this?? What about the factory selectable rear locker?
 
ericdg16 said:
Since you mentioned it......Were any year model taco's available with this?? What about the factory selectable rear locker?
Click to expand...

Nope. No Tacoma's were ever offered with that type of transmission. In fact, no Toyota trucks have.

Usually, TRD Off-Road models have the rear locker.
 
p nut said:
Nope. No Tacoma's were ever offered with that type of transmission. In fact, no Toyota trucks have.

Usually, TRD Off-Road models have the rear locker.
Click to expand...

My dad's old 2000 Tacoma SR5 had the TRD package with the rear differential locker and he never used it once :(
 
nighthawk said:
So, can you just shift from L4 back to H4 while in motion or do you have to stop and put tranny in Neutral first?
Click to expand...

From L4 to H4, stop, put the transmission in N.
 
I always thought on pre '99 models you had to stop to shift it into any kind of 4WD. From what your saying I can shift from 2WD to 4WD HI as long as I'm below 62 MPH? I know that to shift to 4WD N or 4WD LO you have to be in neutral.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
I always thought on pre '99 models you had to stop to shift it into any kind of 4WD. From what your saying I can shift from 2WD to 4WD HI as long as I'm below 62 MPH? I know that to shift to 4WD N or 4WD LO you have to be in neutral.
Click to expand...

Okay, guys, will you stop spreading bad info and read your manual? In a 99 or any 3rd Gen 4Runner, you can be below 62MPH and still shift to 4HI(or H4L on 99-00 Limiteds) on the fly. To shift to 4LO, you have to stop.

If you don't have an owner's manual, register on toyotaownersonline.com
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 298 (members: 4, guests: 294)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,307
Messages
3,554,050
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top