Diff lock on 2002

[Sandbanks]

Hey All,
I'm looking at buying another 2002 Runner like the last one I owned a couple of years back and when I asked the owner about the locking rear diff button like I had on my Badlands edition he had no clue what I was talking about.This is the rocker switch on the lower left side of the steering wheel on the dash.Was that an option only that year,Canadian models only???
Thanks alot in advance.
Missing my ol' runner.

 

[FateOne]

I'm no expert.. I have a 2002 Sport Edition. I have a locking center differential not a locking rear. I think the 2000 maybe was the last year the locking rear was available.

This ought to tell you:
4Runner 3rd Gen History

 

[Sandbanks]

Thanks FateOne

I guess it was a center diff lock I had as well.
The link makes it sound as if it was standard.

"Off-road enthusiasts will find enhanced low-traction performance available through a locking center differential and a two-speed transfer case. With the center differential lock switch engaged, the front and rear axles are locked together for better grip in low-traction situations. Shifting the transfer case to 4WD-Low provides an extra measure of control. A center differential lock switch is provided on the instrument panel so the locking and unlocking of the center differential can be controlled by the push of a button."

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yep,the rear diff locker was discontinued along with the 5 speed in '01.


Off-road enthusiasts will find improved low-traction performance available through a locking rear differential, optional on all four-wheel drive models. Sporting a 4.3:1 differential gear ratio, this feature locks the rear wheels together while in low-4WD, forcing both wheels to turn together.

 

[Sandbanks]

The 5 speed and rear diff lock would be great but I think the advantage of VSC wins out in on road use with safety in mind.

I've set the (VSC) warning bells ringing several times while driving "too fast" around corners in loose grip conditions (could have controlled the slide without it) but it's the highspeed events where it potentially would come in really handy!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The ultimate is in the FJ with the Alltrac,VSC,5 speed manual and rear diff lock.

I wish I had the multi mode auto from the '99 Limiteds and later on the SR5s but off road I'm glad I have the diff lock since it makes a difference climbing hills.

 

[p nut]

FJ's come with a 6-sp (not 5), ATRAC, Rear locker and VSC. The 6-sp only comes with the full-time 4WD, though.

2002 4Runners also come with ATRAC and VSC. It works exceptionally well. I have heard that the ATRAC system is a bit more aggressive in the FJ, but it's worked well for me. No 5-sp, but the auto does just fine.

And what the freak is a Badlands Edition?

 

[J.A.]

Badlands Edition is the Canadian version of the 4Runner Highlander/Sport.

 

[BTLFED]

FJ's come with a 6-sp (not 5), ATRAC, Rear locker and VSC. The 6-sp only comes with the full-time 4WD, though.

2002 4Runners also come with ATRAC and VSC. It works exceptionally well. I have heard that the ATRAC system is a bit more aggressive in the FJ, but it's worked well for me. No 5-sp, but the auto does just fine.

And what the freak is a Badlands Edition?

All 2002 4Runners come with ATRAC and VSC or just 4WD ones?

 

[p nut]

All 2002 4Runners come with ATRAC and VSC or just 4WD ones?

IIRC, all did. I know in my manual, it has a section for 2WD's only and it talks about VSC, so I assumed that they also had this. When you start yours up, do "VSC TRAC" light up?

 

[BTLFED]

IIRC, all did. I know in my manual, it has a section for 2WD's only and it talks about VSC, so I assumed that they also had this. When you start yours up, do "VSC TRAC" light up?

Not sure. I know I have the ATRAC because I have the TRAC off button, but I didn't know about the VSC. I'll have to check next time I get in my truck lol

 

[FateOne]

I got stuck in some mud the other day and had to put it into 4 wheel Low and kick and lock the differential. The VSC light was going crazy as I slid around. I was trying to get turned around in what was like a swimming pool with 8 inches of mud in the bottom. The center differential lock didn't do me much good here though as I needed to turn.

When you lock the differential all wheels move at the same speed. In a turn though the angular velocity of the outside wheel is higher than the inside (as it has to travel a greater distance to move the same radians..).. anyway.. what this means is that you can't turn when you have the differential locked. It works great for straight line traction though.

 

[p nut]

I got stuck in some mud the other day and had to put it into 4 wheel Low and kick and lock the differential. The VSC light was going crazy as I slid around. I was trying to get turned around in what was like a swimming pool with 8 inches of mud in the bottom. The center differential lock didn't do me much good here though as I needed to turn.

When you lock the differential all wheels move at the same speed. In a turn though the angular velocity of the outside wheel is higher than the inside (as it has to travel a greater distance to move the same radians..).. anyway.. what this means is that you can't turn when you have the differential locked. It works great for straight line traction though.

You obviously didn't have the CDL engaged, because that disables VSC. When you press the CDL button, the center light (orange) will stay lit, and not blink. The VSC light will also come on. The ATRAC is still engaged, though.

And you can turn just fine with the CDL engaged. You couldn't turn, because you were in 8 inches of mud, not because you had the CDL "locked."

 

[FateOne]

You obviously didn't have the CDL engaged, because that disables VSC. When you press the CDL button, the center light (orange) will stay lit, and not blink. The VSC light will also come on. The ATRAC is still engaged, though.

And you can turn just fine with the CDL engaged. You couldn't turn, because you were in 8 inches of mud, not because you had the CDL "locked."

You are right. I didn't have the CDL locked when the VSC was going on and off. I thought the CDL locked the tires so they all rotated at the same speed? Is that only with a rear differential locker? I haven't had my 4Runner that long so I haven't used the CDL other than that one time. I'll have to take it out to that mud again when I've got someone to pull me out and see just how stuck I can get and have some fun.. test out the CDL/VSC/ATRAC/etc. some more.

 

[p nut]

You are right. I didn't have the CDL locked when the VSC was going on and off. I thought the CDL locked the tires so they all rotated at the same speed? Is that only with a rear differential locker? I haven't had my 4Runner that long so I haven't used the CDL other than that one time. I'll have to take it out to that mud again when I've got someone to pull me out and see just how stuck I can get and have some fun.. test out the CDL/VSC/ATRAC/etc. some more.

The CDL locks the center differential, which sends equal amount of power to all four wheels. It is not anything like a rear or front diff locker (those are a lot stronger, but same principle--locks the wheels together so they spin together).

If you didn't have the locker engaged and had two or more wheels stuck in mud/snow, only the stuck wheels would spin and you would go nowhere. This is where the lockers come in handy. Lock the CDL and you will climb out. But, if you're doing anything extreme, a CDL will not cut it, which is where the front/rear axle lockers shine. Unfortunately, we don't have a factory equipped rear locker. However, we've got ATRAC, which has pros/cons vs. a front/rear locker. It will sense the slipping wheel and send the power to the wheel with the most traction. When using this with the CDL, you can get out of some hairy spots. Even if 3 of your wheels are stuck in mud, you can most likely get out with the ATRAC system. Loose gravel, mud, snow--ATRAC tackles this nicely. Just point and gas.

I picked the 02 for this reason. I can always add lockers later on, but it would be a lot harder to add in ATRAC/VSC to an older 4Runner.

 

[gjohnut]

I picked the 02 for this reason. I can always add lockers later on, but it would be a lot harder to add in ATRAC/VSC to an older 4Runner.

I have been wondering about this. Why did they discontinue the rear locker when they added ATRAC? If you put a locker in an 01/02, do they have to disable the ATRAC/VSC? Or can they all "coexist" in the same vehicle?

 

[p nut]

I have been wondering about this. Why did they discontinue the rear locker when they added ATRAC? If you put a locker in an 01/02, do they have to disable the ATRAC/VSC? Or can they all "coexist" in the same vehicle?

They can coexist. Look at the new Tacoma and FJC's.

 

[gjohnut]

They can coexist. Look at the new Tacoma and FJC's.

Yeah, I knew that some newer vehicles were set up to have both. I just didn't know how the ATRAC/VSC works, and whether there might be something in the design of the 3rd Gen 4 Runners that precluded them having both. I'd hate to buy an 01/02 to get the ATRAC/VSC, with the intention of retrofitting a locker, then find out that there was something in the drive system related to the A & V systems that had to be removed to make the locker work. I'm new at this and don't know much yet, so I'm doing my homework. Thanks for the info.

What sort of locker were you going to get for your 02? I'm guessing it's possible to get selectable lockers for the 4th Gen 4 Runners?

Thanks!

 

[p nut]

Yeah, I knew that some newer vehicles were set up to have both. I just didn't know how the ATRAC/VSC works, and whether there might be something in the design of the 3rd Gen 4 Runners that precluded them having both. I'd hate to buy an 01/02 to get the ATRAC/VSC, with the intention of retrofitting a locker, then find out that there was something in the drive system related to the A & V systems that had to be removed to make the locker work. I'm new at this and don't know much yet, so I'm doing my homework. Thanks for the info.

What sort of locker were you going to get for your 02? I'm guessing it's possible to get selectable lockers for the 4th Gen 4 Runners?

Thanks!

There isn't anything in the system to prevent anyone from fitting a locker. Plenty of people have installed a rear locker with no issues.

As far as the actual locker goes, people have gone with ARB units. If I were to get one, I'd just get an OEM rear locker. Easiest way is to just get the whole rear axle from a 3rd Gen with a rear locker.

For a 4th Gen, I believe that your best option is going aftermarket. None of the 4th Gens had locker options (other than the CDL).

 

[gjohnut]

Thanks again man. I appreciate the info.