Back to the 4Runner - looking at 3rd Gens with multi-mode

[Seattle_SR5]

Almost a year ago I made a lousy decision in retrospect:

I sold my 2000 4Runner SR5 V6 with manual transmission. Although totally stock and with 228k miles, she ran well and needed nothing.

So I'm looking for a 4Runner with a multi-mode transfer case to replace the Subaru that replaced my original 3rd generation. Intended use: Light offroad; forest service roads in the Cascade range and some unpaved roads in the coulees of Eastern Washington. Could be doable in the Subaru but the 4Runner will run those roads much more comfortably and at higher speeds over washboard sections, and potholes won't be potential rim benders/tire flatteners.

I want multimode for driving in mixed conditions in the Cascades in the winter and for additional traction in the almost year-round Seattle rain.

So the 3rd generation trucks available with multimode seem to fall into two different "generations". I'd be open to a 4th generation and have driven a really nice '06 V8 Limited 4WD but the 3rd gen trucks seem simpler/easier to maintain over the long run.

2001-2002 (all models):

Pros:

- The most "modern" of the 3rd generations
- Traction control and stability control (I have these systems in my BMW and they're wonderful. In the Subaru, they seem a little "brain dead" though and are either too eager to kick in or don't seem to kick in when needed)
- The Limited has heated seats as standard

Cons:

- Sounds like the 2001-2002 automatic transmission isn't as durable as the automatics in earlier 3rd generations

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/90519-what-year-buy-3.html#post2798844

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/191396-tranny-problems-bad-torque-converter.html

1999-2000 Limiteds

Pros:

- Rear E-locker available - and many trucks near me for sale seem to have it. I don't know that I'd use one that much; but call it a nice to have.
- '99 has the "tall springs" from the factory but in all fairness a 19 year old '99 4Runner could use new springs and shocks if original.
- Tougher version of the A340 automatic transmission

Cons:

- No stability or traction control. Stability control would be nice to have for emergency maneuvers on pavement if needed. Traction control would be good for managing the power while in full-time 4wd as I understand the center diff is open (like the Jeep Selec-Trac T-case) instead of being limited slip like the center diff in the 4th gen trucks or my Subaru.

Obviously both "generations" of 3rd gen with multimode are vulnerable to the milkshake and lower ball joint issues. I'd throw a new radiator in any truck I bought unless it had been done already - and possibly an external trans cooler.

If I'm missing anything that I should be considering - please advise. Thanks!

 

[fblainen11]

Not sure if you have children in car seats or not, but the 01-02 has the childseat restraint stuff on the back of the seat backs
LATCH system maybe???

Also, I'm not sure there's any evidence that says one of the trans are stronger than the other. Why do you think that?

Lastly, I prefer the AC controls of the SR5. The limited with the auto climate control is nice but prone to failing/being really finicky while still working. The SR5 has simple knobs.

 

[jgue467]

...
- Sounds like the 2001-2002 automatic transmission isn't as durable as the automatics in earlier 3rd generations
...

I read that article and many others. I don't see where toytota made an inferior 01-02 auto trans compared to previous years.

What I do read is how many folks managed to run them with either low fluid, stressed out pulling too much weight and/or pink milkshare. None of this makes for a bad trans design, just abuse.

For most vehicles, including 3rd gens, that later years of a given gen are typically 'better' because the manufacturer has learned from its mistakes in previous years. That's why you'll see so many folks talking about converting this and that to the 01-02 design, cuz it's better.

Despite this, I'd just go with what is in good conditon. You can easily add things like seat heaters but the multimode not so much (for me anyway).

Luck in your search. You are right about being able to barrel through washboard and other rough roads, I leave everyone in the dust on those !!

:cowboy:

 

[alanflies]

99 multi/elocker limited...FTW

 

[Hepar]

One of the cons to the 01-02's are that they switched to an electric brake booster than when it fails, is very costly to replace.

Multi-mode is definitely nice in the PNW. These days I use it far more than actually 4wd. Never once felt the need to use it in the rain though.

 

[Seattle_SR5]

Not sure if you have children in car seats or not, but the 01-02 has the childseat restraint stuff on the back of the seat backs
LATCH system maybe???

Also, I'm not sure there's any evidence that says one of the trans are stronger than the other. Why do you think that?

No kids in car seats yet. We have a German Shepherd who sits in the cargo area behind a pet gate, but 1 (maybe 2) human children are in the future. So the LATCH system would be nice.

The only evidence I saw about the transmission weakness was in the threads I posted earlier. Glad to hear it is more of an "owner abuse" situation.

So here's a question for all of you. I looked at a 2000 Limited with rear locker that was totally stock with 1 owner and 135k miles. Priced at $9900 at a local used car dealer in a small town.

The 4Runner drove well and looked great but it had 3 Michelin LTX AT2 tires (I ran them on my 4Runner and was pleased with them) and one random Firestone. Would running non-matching tires screw up the center differential? That's a big no-no with Subaru all-wheel-drive systems.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=18

 

[thecole1098]

No kids in car seats yet. We have a German Shepherd who sits in the cargo area behind a pet gate, but 1 (maybe 2) human children are in the future. So the LATCH system would be nice.

The only evidence I saw about the transmission weakness was in the threads I posted earlier. Glad to hear it is more of an "owner abuse" situation.

So here's a question for all of you. I looked at a 2000 Limited with rear locker that was totally stock with 1 owner and 135k miles. Priced at $9900 at a local used car dealer in a small town.

The 4Runner drove well and looked great but it had 3 Michelin LTX AT2 tires (I ran them on my 4Runner and was pleased with them) and one random Firestone. Would running non-matching tires screw up the center differential? That's a big no-no with Subaru all-wheel-drive systems.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=18

As long as the tire size is the same, it should be fine. And remember, on these they are still in 2WD unless you change that be it AWD mode or "true 4WD" with the center diff locked.

 

[Roamed YT]

but 1 (maybe 2) human children are in the future. So the LATCH system would be nice...

..The 4Runner drove well and looked great but it had 3 Michelin LTX AT2 tires (I ran them on my 4Runner and was pleased with them) and one random Firestone. Would running non-matching tires screw up the center differential? That's a big no-no with Subaru all-wheel-drive systems.

I have a '99. Also have two small humans. I bought a pair of top anchors from my local dealer and installed them for our forward-facing car seats. LATCH is nice, and we have it in our '14 F-150 but not a necessity. You can lock off the seat belts and achieve the same result.

As for the tires, because it's not a full-time AWD system there's nothing to bind up. It would take a fully-worn tire and 3 brand new ones (or vice versa) and a bunch of dry pavement miles locked in 4WD to cause damage. I remember the occasional Rav4 coming in to the dealer with one brand new tire and a locked up rear end. Never saw one grenade though...

Good luck on your quest!

 

[nwebb01]

I've got an 02 SR5 sport. Just refreshed the suspension from original to 99 talls. Gave me about an inch and a half lift over the old warn out originals with 152k on them. I'm really enjoying the refresh suspension and better ride.

I've really only got two complaints about the 02. The Traction control can suck at times. I'm looking forward to trying the "Andy Mod" to disable it. Last week we had some ice and snow. The street was fine and i wasn't using awd/4x4. Got to the top of the driveway and let the wife out. Rear tires spun then Trac kicked in. Lost all power and couldn't move at all. No spinning tires or anything. If I could have disabled it, I bet I would have made it the last 4 ft. I had to back down the driveway and get momentum then I was able to get all the way into the garage.

Second thing is the amount of time it takes for the coolant to hit it's magic 130 degree temperature mark that allows it shift past second gear. In the summer months, not a bit deal. When it's -10 this takes forever. If your in a hurry to hop in and go when it's cold, your better off to start it, and let it warm up before you take off. Not sure if this was on all 3rd gens or just the 01 & 02s.

Other than thoes two things, I really love mine. had it about 10 months and learned a lot from the smart guys around here.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[fblainen11]

So I was mistaken...none of the 3rd gens have the latch anchors that take the place of the seat belt. What they have is the attachment point on the rear of the seat back for the forward facing car seats.

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

When I had the '01, the electric servo booster for the brake system made a bit nervous as far as a potential replacement cost was concerned and the stability system/ traction control didn't always work as advertised. I had a few disagreements about when I felt it should be intervening. I also wasn't fond of the t-case lock out button on the dash.

I like the "traditional" vacuum booster for the brakes on the '99 that I now own, as well as the 'j' shift pattern t-case. AWD setting is just a click on the button on the t-case lever, nice and easy and the locked out mode is just a tug away on the lever.

 

[Beaumont67]

In another thread, '01-02 power brake booster with ABS built in / is a $3,000 replacement new.

Personally I don't want full time 4x4 & would expect better gas mileage in my 2000 SR5 4x4 running in 2WD mode, weather permitting.
- probably 10 months of the year, paved roads are perfectly fine
- this week the roads have a light dusting of snow, so in 4WD it goes
- when the Canadian roads are salted and winter road slush melted off, back to RWD
- pre 2000 models have got to save some fuel, and I like the transfer case shift, on the console best
- plus part time 4x4, is more than capable

 

[Rallysport]

I've got an 02 SR5 Sport and specifically sought out multimode. I do moderate offroading on forest service roads, trips to the ski hill, and where I live we can have we up to 5 months a year of snow & ice (roads not salted). But no hard core off road / rock crawling ambitions.

So despite the prevailing wisdom on this forum (elocker / j case), for my needs multimode is far more useful.

Tl,Dr: pick what's going to suit the way you'll use the vehicle the best

 

[Mgyver1]

The only child car seat enhancement for ‘01-‘02 was the addition of top tether mounts. They can be retrofitted if needed as I did that on my ‘00. I did a whole write up on car seat stuff for 3rd gens.

I’d recommend the ‘99-‘00 Limited. I don’t think you’re missing out on anything with the traction control. If it works as good as the ABS in the 3rd gens then it’s just about useless. Plus the more expensive brake booster that WILL eventually go out (they all do) is a con. If you want the fancy electronics with traction control and stuff then I would look to the newer generations. If you want simple and reliable then stick with the 2nd 3rd gen, not the 3rd 3rd gen.

 

[jgue467]

>>>
Plus the more expensive brake booster that WILL eventually go out (they all do) is a con.

REALLY ???

How do You Know this ???

I've read and read on this forum and others yet can't find enough evidence.

What I do read is how 01-02s don't have near as much the ill-fated rear axle seals go out as often as they do on the earlier models.

My 01 has only had a spark plug blow out and all other parts are original, including the brake booster and rear seals. The usual radiator and VC gaskets were replaced but that's cheap compared to axle seals.

To each his own, eh ???

But I would suggest not spreading what isn't backed up by more than a couple-three instances as true around here. :cowboy:

 

[xdustin]

My advice, as someone who recently spent about 4 months searching for a clean 99-00 limited in the PNW. Do a carfax or be very thorough when checking them out. A lot of the dealers are buying 4runners out of the NE and they come back with a ton of rust on the bottom side. Nothing is going to be completely free of rust, but in my opinion, we live in an area where there isn't a ton of salt usage (though it's becoming more common) and we should be able to find something without too much damage. If you don't have access to cheap car faxes, there is a way to kinda do it for free on their website and you can get basic info, enough to see where it's been the last 15 years.

Good luck!!

 

[T4R2014]

REALLY ???

How do You Know this ???

I've read and read on this forum and others yet can't find enough evidence.

What I do read is how 01-02s don't have near as much the ill-fated rear axle seals go out as often as they do on the earlier models.

My 01 has only had a spark plug blow out and all other parts are original, including the brake booster and rear seals. The usual radiator and VC gaskets were replaced but that's cheap compared to axle seals.

To each his own, eh ???

But I would suggest not spreading what isn't backed up by more than a couple-three instances as true around here. :cowboy:

If an 01-02 4Runner hits a wrecking yard, the first things to get copped are the transmission or booster. And that's if the truck didn't hit the yard for that reason.

How do I know this? My friend works at one of the larger wrecking yards in the NYC metro area. Like, this place actually has organization to it. I realize this is just one account, but they get A LOT of calls for these parts. They actually just had a clean 01 hit the yard. Guess what it is? Bad transmission with only 150k. And it's not like the truck is beat. Actually, my mechanic mentioned this as well. He got an 01 for free. The PO just paid to get the transmission replaced last year and had it with the truck once the booster gave out.

 

[Kanoe]

There is a LOT to be said in favor of the older and simpler rigs in my opinion.

I see nothing wrong with the 96 to 98 models and I see no reason to exclude them from a search. Except of course if you are dead set on the fancy newer options of the 01-02 models.

 

[thecole1098]

I love my 96. Simple, capable and reliable. Sure it has its share of small issues, but I'll take it for what it is considering its 22 years old now.

 

[Scramble]

99-00 ftw!