Any reasons why I should not buy a 1998 5 speed with eLocker

[Sean K.]

When the rear locker is on, is the transfer case locked between front and rear? If not, then theoretically if one front wheel goes in the air then no other wheels will spin as all power goes to the free wheel.

On the 5 speed it should be, as it doesn't have the center diff lock. It's a 50/50 torque split all the time from my understanding.

***EDIT*** Realized the way I phrased that could be confusing. The 5 speed doesn't have an option of center differential lock. It's just always locked, 50/50 front to rear. Apologies for any confusion.***

 

[Scramble]

What are the desired upgrades ??

Thanks Ranchdog

See the sticky's above that say, "A must read for new members". You shouldn't be buying any vehicle without the proper research.

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[Scramble]

What are the desired upgrades ??

Thanks Ranchdog

The most detailed 4runner info on the web. Bookmark it.

Toyota 4Runner History 1999

 

[JayRolla]

E lockers are over rated.

If you're not doing terrain where you know youre gona get stuck, there's no need for em in my opinion.

Spoken from a person with an elocker or without?

On stock suspension the elocker is a night and day difference. You can push that runner through obstacles even if a tire comes off the ground.

Without elocker your dead in the water. Yes you can back up and keep taking a stab till you find the right line but with the locker your pushing through.

 

[kolelt]

Why wouldn't you want a elocker ? It's extra recovery tool basically. If you get stuck use the elocker. Especially if you rock crawling. 5 speed is nice. But it's a little hard to off road , more harder if rock crawling. You will be burning the clutch especially going up a rocky hill. There's just no way around it. Unless you have extra extra low gear. Where in auto you can apply brake and slowly give gas to climb over a rock. In 5 speed if you don't wanna bounce around. You need to ride the clutch.

Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[BrandonF]

5 spd elocker is insanely rare. Mine is now that configuration but I swapped in the elocker after the fact because I knew finding a truck with both would just take too long. Apparently even just the 5 spd`s make up less than 5% of the total 3rd gens in NA, nevermind the elocker

If the vehicle is in good condition and the price isnt outrageous, I'd definitely buy it. At the very least, those features will help you with resale. Around here, a moderately priced 5 spd elocker is almost guaranteed to sell the day its posted.
[MENTION=99565]kolelt[/MENTION] you are correct about the 5spd clutch riding. Driving bigger steeper obstacles with stock 4.10 gears and 285's really sucks. But as the OP mentioned, he will not be crawling

 

[Sean K.]

Why wouldn't you want a elocker ? It's extra recovery tool basically. If you get stuck use the elocker. Especially if you rock crawling. 5 speed is nice. But it's a little hard to off road , more harder if rock crawling. You will be burning the clutch especially going up a rocky hill. There's just no way around it. Unless you have extra extra low gear. Where in auto you can apply brake and slowly give gas to climb over a rock. In 5 speed if you don't wanna bounce around. You need to ride the clutch.

Correct me if I'm wrong

Proper gear selection with a manual is key. The low end torque of the 3.4L is pretty good....so you don't have to "bounce" it to get it to crawl over most rocks that a fairly stock truck would encounter. Is it as smooth as the auto? No. If one isn't planning a crawl box from Marlin or Inchworm, TG, etc....then the auto is a better crawler, hands down; not as fun to drive on the road IMO....but that's subjective.

Also, I wouldn't classify the elocker as a "recovery tool". Not sure why so many folks are fond of going as far as they can in 2wd and then shifting to 4wd once they get stuck....using the elocker is the same way. If you think you'll need it, engage it. I definitely wouldn't wait to engage it until I'm already stuck.

 

[Mark_BC]

Why wouldn't you want a elocker ? It's extra recovery tool basically. If you get stuck use the elocker. Especially if you rock crawling. 5 speed is nice. But it's a little hard to off road , more harder if rock crawling. You will be burning the clutch especially going up a rocky hill. There's just no way around it. Unless you have extra extra low gear. Where in auto you can apply brake and slowly give gas to climb over a rock. In 5 speed if you don't wanna bounce around. You need to ride the clutch.

Correct me if I'm wrong

Good point, never thought of that.

My concern with auto transmission is if it fails out in the middle of nowhere you are SOL. But I don't hear many complaints here about failing auto transmissions so that concern may be overinflated.

Plus if you get a dead battery you can push start a manual???? Maybe not with the electronics of the 4runner mind you, but with our old Tercel you could do that.

 

[Mark_BC]

Why wouldn't you want a elocker ?

The one down side of the elocker is if it sticks in lock mode. This happened to me last month after I put it in for a challenging crossing, but it wouldn't come back out. I was sh!tting bricks worrying about how much it was going to cost to get the thing off and replace it ($2000 for the part alone, thanks for the gouging Toyota). I assumed it was rusted shut.

I drove around paved roads with it stuck for a few weeks, I had no choice, I hope I didn't do too much damage to the gearing with the tires squeeling around the corners.

Finally I got around to trying to get the thing off which I couldn't do, then I thought maybe I should work the electrical connectors a bit after I took the protecting plate off, maybe they are just corroded up. Did that and BAM, now it works again!!!!

 

[adschreifels]

Don't buy it!!!! Just tell me where to find it lol.

 

[Sean K.]

Good point, never thought of that.

My concern with auto transmission is if it fails out in the middle of nowhere you are SOL. But I don't hear many complaints here about failing auto transmissions so that concern may be overinflated.

Plus if you get a dead battery you can push start a manual???? Maybe not with the electronics of the 4runner mind you, but with our old Tercel you could do that.

You can roll start a '99 5 speed....did it the other day when I shut off before I should have....put it in 2nd, popped the clutch...no problem.

 

[Mark_BC]

On the 5 speed it should be, as it doesn't have the center diff lock. It's a 50/50 torque split all the time from my understanding.

***EDIT*** Realized the way I phrased that could be confusing. The 5 speed doesn't have an option of center differential lock. It's just always locked, 50/50 front to rear. Apologies for any confusion.***

So does that mean if you had different size tires front vs. rear then they would always be stressing the drivetrain on pavement?

I have a Limited automatic which I assume has a differential between front and back and I'm going to put some 30" tires on the back with the older 29" on the front, to keep me going until I can afford a new set.

 

[Sean K.]

So does that mean if you had different size tires front vs. rear then they would always be stressing the drivetrain on pavement?

I have a Limited automatic which I assume has a differential between front and back and I'm going to put some 30" tires on the back with the older 29" on the front, to keep me going until I can afford a new set.

The tires would have to be drastically different sizes and even then with the disco'd front end, I'm not convinced it would matter.

A half inch radius difference shouldn't be a big deal....though I wouldn't run it that way long term. Also, I have no idea how the center diff works in the autos....in the interest of full disclosure.

 

[Bijan]

Spoken from a person with an elocker or without?

On stock suspension the elocker is a night and day difference. You can push that runner through obstacles even if a tire comes off the ground.

Without elocker your dead in the water. Yes you can back up and keep taking a stab till you find the right line but with the locker your pushing through.

I have open diffs.

I was slightly sarcastic in my post but most people who don't go off road will never think to use it or know what it is in my opinion.

I have gotten 90% of the same lines as guys with lockers on certain trails around here. Thankfully there's always been a bypass. If I get really stuck hopefully I can winch out.

 

[Sean K.]

I have open diffs.

I was slightly sarcastic in my post but most people who don't go off road will never think to use it or know what it is in my opinion.

I have gotten 90% of the same lines as guys with lockers on certain trails around here. Thankfully there's always been a bypass. If I get really stuck hopefully I can winch out.

Have you ever owned a locker equipped vehicle?

The best way I can describe it is to say it's like owning a 4wd vs. a 2wd. It makes that much difference in capability.

But, I agree....most folks never even take their rig off pavement let alone know what a locker is. I generally get "Ya, it's got locking hubs", when I ask if they have lockers.

 

[JayRolla]

I have open diffs.

I was slightly sarcastic in my post but most people who don't go off road will never think to use it or know what it is in my opinion.

I have gotten 90% of the same lines as guys with lockers on certain trails around here. Thankfully there's always been a bypass. If I get really stuck hopefully I can winch out.

I would hope so. Like the other stated its literally like having 2wd vs 4wd. It works so well its almost cheating.

My buddy had a stock FJ with rear locker and he would just power through everything we could do. He would lift tires and tear up the trail but always made it. No stock open diff had a chance. But I like a good suspension with open diffs. We have more fun.

 

[pluton]

I have the '97 SR5 version of that 4runner. I prefer manual transmissions if I'm buying used. An A/T, once they get up in years and miles, can fail without warning. A man trans (that has not been tortured) will start making noises long before failure. That matters to me when I go to places that are 50 or 100 miles from the nearest paved highway.
Ironically, the only time I've felt that I needed the locker was close to town, when I absent-mindedly backed partway down a side slope that I had to back down farther in order to get out of. That had to be at least a 45º angle.
The only surprises when I got mine (w/120K miles on it) was the rear axle seals leaking. It's easy to check for, and it can (and should) help if bargaining the price down. Easily a $1000+ job.
If it is all still stock, it is pretty much guaranteed that the vehicle will need new springs, shocks, hoses, belts, and all fluids changed.

 

[Bijan]

I would hope so. Like the other stated its literally like having 2wd vs 4wd. It works so well its almost cheating.

My buddy had a stock FJ with rear locker and he would just power through everything we could do. He would lift tires and tear up the trail but always made it. No stock open diff had a chance. But I like a good suspension with open diffs. We have more fun.

When are you gona come w/ us, are you on FB, know of the groups?

 

[JayRolla]

When are you gona come w/ us, are you on FB, know of the groups?

Man I need to. HAHA. Wife has facebook, I will add you guys. Whats the group again?

 

[Bijan]

Man I need to. HAHA. Wife has facebook, I will add you guys. Whats the group again?

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