'98 vs '99 vs '00 vs '01

[Jeffrey_VB]

I am in the early stages of 'runner shopping and have narrowed things down to either a '98, '99, '00, or '01 model.

What are the major differences between these? Any major changes or improvements between these four models?

 

[J.A.]

Tried a search?

4Runner History and changes by year

 

[4rnr4me]

go 99+ forget about 98...just search the forums and you will find PLENTY of stuff bout the differences

 

[T4RBoarder]

go 99+ forget about 98...just search the forums and you will find PLENTY of stuff bout the differences

X2

 

[peter78]

I would say, 99 there were big changes. New air bags, pretensioners for the front seat belts. slight change in the front end and of course chagning of the cup holders. A 98 is fine though, I would look at the condition of the car. In 2001 they drop the stick shift and the 4 cyl. The 2001 got VSC (vehilce skid control), A-Trac and Brake Assist. All have excellent reliability, of course expect some problems with older cars. Many 98's are getting up to 200,000 miles and are selling for a pretty good price.

 

[4rnr4me]

i also see a LOT of 96-98's sagging in the rear end, and i dont think ive EVER seen a 99-02 sagging...

 

[Jeffrey_VB]

i also see a LOT of 96-98's sagging in the rear end, and i dont think ive EVER seen a 99-02 sagging...

That's really good to know. I don't want my butt to be sagging.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

There was a recall on the rear springs of the '96-98s due to them sagging prematurely.

Other upgrades in '99 that sometimes get missed:

Multiple power outlets (2 plus the cig lighter up front and one by the rear hatch)

An extra small storage compartment in the lid of the between the seats console.

Auto up/down front windows

Larger rear compartment storage cubby

And of course the updated headlamps (no more frosted lights)

 

[KellyJ]

The dash is also slightly modified also (not only the gauges, but also the location of the clock, now in between the two HVAC vents and not the the left of both), movement of the ECT and rear window buttons to high up by the clock and a couple other small things

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I think those happened in '98 along with the steering wheel change and the HVAC controls were changed to rotary instead of sliders.

 

[KellyJ]

I thought the 98 had the two spoke wheel and the 99 was the first with the 4 spoke?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The 4 spoke wheel made it's appearance in '98 but you were right about the vents and stuff,that was in '99.

 

[KellyJ]

Ohhh okay. When did the pushbutton 4WD start? '99 right?

 

[GatorGreg]

Ohhh okay. When did the pushbutton 4WD start? '99 right?

Yes, but ONLY on the Limiteds. Starting in '99 the Limited trim level came with the so called "multi mode 4WD" where you could push the little button on the transfer case lever and it allowed you to be in 4WD even on dry pavement. Not until the '01 model year did the other trim levels get this feature.

 

[gapboi210]

couple of things, on the '98 Limited it had push button 4WD but no multi mode. The recall on the springs was not due to sagging but to loss of control when overloaded (only affected 2wd but recall applied to 2wd&4wd)

here are the details:

TOYOTA / 4 RUNNER 1996-1998

Recall Number: 02V021000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.
Consequence:
THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Notes:
TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 20A. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).