Did I already screw up my 2001 sr5 4RNR?

[mike444]

Hi folks,
Just joined a few minutes ago. I have never drove a 4wd drive and am not mechanically inclined. Moved to colorado 4 1/2 years ago.

So I took out a 2001 sr5 4rnr with 92,000 miles for a test drive. I had the vehicle in neutral with my foot on the brake. I then shifted from 4wd-H to the neutal position and heard a loud clunk. I immediately shifted back to the 4wd-H position and did not go into 4wd-L. I then found the manual and realized there is a 4wd button on the side of the shifter that probably should have been depressed. I saw a pdf previously but it did not have anything about 4wd operation. I then drove it(properly I believe) and tried out all the systems except 4wd-L. Everything seemed to work fine without any noises. I am picking up the vehicle tomorrow.

So did I just screw up my beautiful new/used 4runner or did I luck out despite my impatience? Sheesh.

 

[TCMach]

Here's my take from what I understand of the 01 style tcases. If you didn't have the 4wd button pressed then you were just in 2wd hi and put the case in neutral. I don't believe there is any way you could have ruined the case doing this. My 00 case (the j case) clunks sometimes and the tcase on my 86 Chevy jerked the whole truck when I went into 4wd. I'd say the clunk was just stuff moving (maybe it hasn't been in 4wd in a while, who knows). But definitely go and run into 4hi and 4lo and make sure it works. If those don't work then you don't want that truck. Here's a link to some info on your case (all cases actually) t case differences

 

[mike444]

Thanks TCMACH. I made a typo though. I did not shift into 4wd-L after the clunk. Anyway, I appreciate your very fast and reassuring response. And double thanks for the link.