Advice please: '99 or '00?

[jaggirl71]

Hi all,

New member, looking (hoping) to purchase a manual 4Runner 4x4, either '99 or '00 - though finding one is a whole 'nother topic...

Any advice on whether there is a substantial difference between the 2 models from either a functional or maintenance perspective?

Thanks all!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

None what so ever. Good luck in your search and welcome

 

[gannonrt]

There are some differences. An early '99 would have a higher ride by about 1-1.5" due to the change in suspension between the model years. I think that the e-locker was discontinued after 99 as was stick shift. I'm not quite as positive on the stick shift though. The 2000 introduced a center diff option. The FAQ's on here and other sites like yotatech and ttora would really nail down the differences for you if you look.

 

[WrexHAmm]

There are some differences. An early '99 would have a higher ride by about 1-1.5" due to the change in suspension between the model years. I think that the e-locker was discontinued after 99 as was stick shift. I'm not quite as positive on the stick shift though. The 2000 introduced a center diff option. The FAQ's on here and other sites like yotatech and ttora would really nail down the differences for you if you look.

The locker was not discontinued until after 2000. I have a 2000 with the locker. As far as the overall vehicle there is not much difference. What sold me on the 2000 over the 99 was the interior changing, the dash layout is different (not much) but enough that I wanted the newer.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

There are some differences. An early '99 would have a higher ride by about 1-1.5" due to the change in suspension between the model years. I think that the e-locker was discontinued after 99 as was stick shift. I'm not quite as positive on the stick shift though. The 2000 introduced a center diff option. The FAQ's on here and other sites like yotatech and ttora would really nail down the differences for you if you look.

The '99 & '00 have the same transfer cases, both had e-Locker available and both had a manual transmission available.

The ride height difference is only in the '99 Highlander.

Other than that, and the SR5 getting wider flares in '00, they're the same.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

The locker was not discontinued until after 2000. I have a 2000 with the locker. As far as the overall vehicle there is not much difference. What sold me on the 2000 over the 99 was the interior changing, the dash layout is different (not much) but enough that I wanted the newer.

Can you post a picture of your dash? I'm curious what the differences are. I never knew that they changed it.

 

[WrexHAmm]

Can you post a picture of your dash? I'm curious what the differences are. I never knew that they changed it.

I think I was thinking of the 98 versus the 00. My bad!!

 

[TheDurk]

The '99 & '00 have the same transfer cases, both had e-Locker available and both had a manual transmission available.

The ride height difference is only in the '99 Highlander.

Other than that, and the SR5 getting wider flares in '00, they're the same.

Incorrect only on this point. Any '99 with 16" wheels got the tall springs, including my SR5. And even a '99 without the tall springs is taller than a 2000, which was the lowest of all 3G's (built after the Firestone/Explorer rollover scare.)

 

[4-Ripcord]

The mirrors were changed from 99-00 also.


From buyer's guide..

'00: Redesigned Side mirrors, added daytime running lights, Limited-style fender flares replaced Skinny SR5 flares for SR5 and Sport models.

.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Incorrect only on this point. Any '99 with 16" wheels got the tall springs, including my SR5. And even a '99 without the tall springs is taller than a 2000, which was the lowest of all 3G's.

I stand corrected. I also didn't know '00 was the lowest, I actually thought they got lower after '99 as the generation went on.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Actually the 01-02 were lowest. But not that it matters at this point, stock springs on a 10 year old truck are ready to be replaced anyway..

 

[kman55]

Good infor. Good luck on the search!

 

[004runnerLtd]

Can you post a picture of your dash? I'm curious what the differences are. I never knew that they changed it.

Just a random picture I found on the internet, but it's the same as my 2000.
The clock, vents, and hazard button moved.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

The bottom picture is a 96 or 97. See the cup holder and the steering wheel?

 

[riffman12]

wait so the 2000 highlander was lower than the 99 highlander?

 

[JohnsD90]

wait so the 2000 highlander was lower than the 99 highlander?

Rolling off the factory the 99 would be taller, but dude, the trucks are 12 and 13 years old now, the springs are due to be changed, so just go out and buy some OME 881's and 906's and it will be a little taller than the 99 came stock, and then the year doesn't matter.

 

[Kung]

And the steering wheel's different as well.

 

[Nelsonmd]

The locker was not discontinued until after 2000. I have a 2000 with the locker. As far as the overall vehicle there is not much difference. What sold me on the 2000 over the 99 was the interior changing, the dash layout is different (not much) but enough that I wanted the newer.

The interior change was at 99.5 I think, so some 99's will have it, others won't.

Can you post a picture of your dash? I'm curious what the differences are. I never knew that they changed it.

Read the sticky's my friends..

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/44297-99-mid-gen-upgrades-w-pics.html

There are differences in the dash layout, but those are between LTD and SR5, I don't believe there was a dash change in 99-00, just a change for 99 and 01..

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Like what was stated previously the springs don't matter at this point since they'll be a little tired. Not all '99s had the taller cpils even shod with 16" wheels. All Highlander models got them even into the early '00 model year but it was hit and miss on the other SR5s and Limiteds. The one thing if already having the taller coils is if you want to order OEM ones from the dealer they will run your VIN and give you the springs that came with your truck originally otherwise you need to specify the taller coils but most use the aftermarket.

Specifically talking the Highlander models the only difference is the flares which on the '99 was the skinny black style vs the wider painted flares on the '00. Also Silver was also added as a color option by 2000 but otherwise there aren't too many differences between the years.

I personally prefer the '99 due to the unpainted plastic flares and available matching mud flaps since they handle off road abuse better than their painted counterparts.

 

[1985taylor1925]

2000 was Y2K and thats the year the aliens came and implanted their technology into a bunch of our stuff so I wouldnt get a 2000 unless you want the aliens watching you all the time