California 4Runner differences?

[rcrick]

I'm new to the forum and am deep in the search for a clean low mileage 3rd Gen 4Runner.

I've currently got my eye on a 2000 model that was an original California truck. My question is, were there any weird emissions differences that I should be privy to?

Thanks!

Also, if anyone has any leads on a well preserved 3rd Gen, let me know!

 

[csp]

The exhaust is different from the point of the rear crossover connection at least past the cat. The cat is harder to find a replacement for as well (and more expensive). I'm sure there are more differences.

I was shocked to find mine had CA emissions as it was originally purchased in PA.

 

[rcrick]

Do you know if the ecu is any different?

Doesn't sound like a huge deal if only the cat(s) and some piping is different. Do these cars have two cats like the tacoma's? I'm very familiar with the 3.4l Tacoma.

Thanks for the help!

 

[snow junky]

yea, they are rust free

 

[TheDurk]

Do you know if the ecu is any different?

Doesn't sound like a huge deal if only the cat(s) and some piping is different. Do these cars have two cats like the tacoma's? I'm very familiar with the 3.4l Tacoma.

Thanks for the help!

The ECU is very different as the Cali's use a wide spectrum Air/Fuel sensor as the front exhaust gas sensor. These are completely different from the normal O2 sensors on the Federal emissions trucks. Yes they have two cats which makes replacement more expensive and the ECU Pass/fail monitor is a little more 'finicky'. Also, the crossover is slightly different between the two at the downstream end as well as the exhaust manifolds, pipes, cats and muffler. Only the tailpipe is common between the two as far as the major components go. I suspect the Tacomas are very similar.

All 4Runners produced in '01 and '02 got this system. In '99 and '00, they were found all over the country, not just California. 11 or 12 states, mainly in the Northeast, required these before the Feds made them mandatory everywhere in 2001.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I've currently got my eye on a 2000 model that was an original California truck. My question is, were there any weird emissions differences that I should be privy to?

I don't there are any differences you should care about -- as a buyer.

 

[rcrick]

The ECU is very different as the Cali's use a wide spectrum Air/Fuel sensor as the front exhaust gas sensor. These are completely different from the normal O2 sensors on the Federal emissions trucks. Yes they have two cats which makes replacement more expensive and the ECU Pass/fail monitor is a little more 'finicky'. Also, the crossover is slightly different between the two at the downstream end as well as the exhaust manifolds, pipes, cats and muffler. Only the tailpipe is common between the two as far as the major components go. I suspect the Tacomas are very similar.

All 4Runners produced in '01 and '02 got this system. In '99 and '00, they were found all over the country, not just California. 11 or 12 states, mainly in the Northeast, required these before the Feds made them mandatory everywhere in 2001.

Yeah, this sounds like the same setup that was on my 2001 Tacoma. Thanks for the great info.

Being a Tennessee boy, I really just wanted to have a good idea of what I was getting myself into. For all I know, the California cars came with flubber filled flux capacitors that need to have to fluid changed once a week in Order to keep it running. I'm quite happy that's not the case.

Thanks again!