After five short months I think I'm selling my 3rd Gen

I'm about 100% sure that the 99-00 don't have this button on that dash that controls the CDL. Multi-mode and CDL are not the same thing.
Difflockbuttoncenter.jpg~original

The 99-00 Limited's and all 01-02 4WD's have center differentials, therefore they all have CDL's. The two systems function the same, the difference is how you engage them.

Check this:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78448-t-case-differences-all-years-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html

BTW, a 99-00 can be had with the rear diff lock.
 
The 99-00 Limited's and all 01-02 4WD's have center differentials, therefore they all have CDL's. The two systems function the same, the difference is how you engage them.

Check this:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78448-t-case-differences-all-years-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html

BTW, a 99-00 can be had with the rear diff lock.

So you're saying the 99-02's are all the same? So I can take that switch out and not loose any options? My point is they're not the same. No ifs ands or buts about it. If they were the same then I highly doubt Toyota would have wasted time and money installing that button. The CDL gives the option of being able to switch between locked on unlocked in 4hi (AWD) and to engage 4hi locked on the 99-00 you have to shift the transfer case to achieve this. On the 01-02's you can also choice between locked or unlocked with 4lo with the push of that button, you can't do that on the 99-00's. Hence there is a difference between multi-mode and CDL.

That's the same link I already posted BTW. This also states the differences between the two.

'99 and '00 Limteds...
1st position: 2HI with a push-button on the shifter to engage AWD (aka 4HI unlocked)
2nd position: 4HI locked
N
3rd position: 4LO locked
00limitedtcaseshifter.jpg~original


(Note: On any of the above models, if the vehicle has a rear locker also, it will be controlled by a separate switch on the dash.)

_____________________________________________________________________

The '01s and '02s...
1st position: HI range with a push button on the shifter to choose between 2HI and 4HI (locked or unlocked CDL is controlled by a separate switch on the dash)
N
2nd position: 4LO (locked or unlocked CDL still controlled by the dash switch)
01tcaseshifter.jpg~original

^^ '1s/02s have basically the same shifter as the '96-98 Limiteds, but with the addition of the center diff locker switch (below)..
Difflockbuttoncenter.jpg~original


(Note: There were no rear lockers available in any '01s or '02s.)
 
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I'm about 100% sure that the 99-00 don't have this button on that dash that controls the CDL. Multi-mode and CDL are not the same thing.

You're right the '99-'00 Limited's do not have the CDL button in the dash, found on the '01-'02 4wd 4Runner.

Instead, the center diff lock is controlled by shifting the transfer case lever from H2-H4 to H4L.

In the '99-'00 Limited's ONLY, pushing the 4wd button on the side of the transfer case lever, shifts the vehicle from 2wd to Full-Time 4wd. The center diff lock remains open.

If you at that point move the transfer case lever from H2-H4 to H4L, the center diff is then locked. You would only want to use that under the conditions that you would use Part-Time 4wd. Ie: slippery conditions where the driveline won't bind excessively.


I hope that helps explain it better for you.
 
Sounds like you have made your decision but if you haven't then let me encourage you to do it. The 99-00 Limited's are the "money years" for reasons mentioned. I waited and waited for the right deal to come up and when it did I struck while the iron was hot. Haven't looked back since. Rear e-Locker for the fun times and the Multi-Mode for winter road trips. Best of both worlds.
 

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