Confused about the 4WD system

[samwoo22go]

Hello gurus, 1st time poster, so a bit of a noob please excuse the lack of technical vocab.

So I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a 3rd gen T4R as my weekend snowboarding and camping warrior. However I've been researching options and I am getting really confused about the different 4WD options.

Questions.
1) Ok so to the best of my ability, I understand that the 3rd gen T4R's 4WD system is a part time 4WD that can not be used on dry pavement. So does that mean its normally a 2WD until I engage it?

2) Here in SoCal mountains in the winter, we get alot of boardline freezing weather that gives us like 80% non-icy roads and 20% patches of black ice and slush snow in the shades and on the sides, how should I set the system then?

3) What exactly does the E-lock thing do? and do I really need it when the worst condition I will ever drive on is thru a bad storm to Tahoe. meaning I will never go mud driving or boulder climbing.

Thanks guys

 

[CharlotteFire]

This thread just happened...check it out.... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/62761-does-rear-locking-differential-exist-02-sport.html

 

[Brian32]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/12-01-up-4wd-system-trac-vsc-torsen-t-3-a.html

 

[brian2sun]

What SoCal mtns. are you in/near?

 

[samwoo22go]

thanks guys, I read those already, but it gets kind of technical and I don't really understand it. can some1 explain it to me in normal old lady terms please o and i checked the prices on the 2001 and I can't afford them, so we are just talking about 96, 97, maybe 98 range. And I took off the last question.

I drive up the usual bear mountain, mountain high, you know. With occasional Mammoth and Tahoe.
I would say its 80% commute vs 20% actual mountain climbing.

Also will the 4 cyl have enough power to power 5 adults plus gear up big bear in a storm?

 

[brian2sun]

thanks guys, I read those already, but it gets kind of technical and I don't really understand it. can some1 explain it to me in normal old lady terms please o and i checked the prices on the 2001 and I can't afford them, so we are just talking about 96, 97, maybe 98 range. And I took off the last question.

I drive up the usual bear mountain, mountain high, you know. With occasional Mammoth and Tahoe.
I would say its 80% commute vs 20% actual mountain climbing.

Also will the 4 cyl have enough power to power 5 adults plus gear up big bear in a storm?

'96-98 just have regular 4WD systems. 2HI, 4HI, or 4LO - that's it. A 4 banger will still go up the mountain with 5 people and gear, but it will be very, very slow. I highly recommend getting a 3.4L V6. In a strom it won't make much of a difference since you will be driving slow anyways.

I drive that mountain road about every other day and I would never consider a 4 cyl. 4runner - no way. You will get passed by every car on the road, seriously. And that's with just you alone, much less with 4 other people and gear.