E-locker debate

[Kmurt]

Hey guys, new to the forum, first post.

First off, I've been a long time lurker here and the information and people on here seem great and very knowledgeable. My mom owns a 2001 4runner 4x4 that was bought off the lot new in 2001. I didnt realize how capable and dependable these 3rd gen 4runners were until I started reading this forum.

Anyways...I've been looking to buy one for myself and can't come to the conclusion to wait for a 99-00 with e-locker or just get an 01-02.

To the guys that have the e-locker, how often do you really use it? Did you really need it or was it a rather have it than not need it situation?

To the others without it, do you wish you had one? Or are you doing just fine without one?

Appreciate everyone's opinions and experiences.

Everyone love's pics. Here's moms 4runner:

 

[dirtbike250x]

I recommend holding out for the 4runner in the best condition you can find in your price range. The locker is going to be determined by type of condition you are going to put your truck into. I do not have a locker, sure I wish I had one, but so far on my trails, would have only needed it once. Otherwise line choice and momentum when required gets me through.

 

[mxer]

Buy your moms?

Otherwise like said above, buy the best one you can find because most are overpriced and beat to shit. I wouldn't base it solely on a locker. I would say 95% of the people who own them don't need one.

 

[my92t4r]

Thee shall better have then when stuck in thou mud thee shall want

 

[runandcycle]

I've made it through some nasty CO trails w/o a locker...but still wish I had one. Your parking brake can slightly help too if you are in a pinch.

 

[habanero]

My 96 didn't have one and I drove it like that for a long time. I found the more I stuff I did the more times I wished there was a button to push. Especially as the stocker 99 w/elocker was going places my somewhat built 96 struggled with.
One elocker axle + wiring and stuff and now the 96 has a button to push and occasionally, I do.

If I were to buy another 4Runner today I'd be looking for a 2000 or older manual tranny e-locked version. With a snort hood, cloth sport seats and 3.4 and no rust. Like mxer said, the e-locker would not be a deal breaker- in my case I'd just stick one in because after a long time of driving I know I'd want one. There'd even be a chance that the truck would be pre-wired, though wiring up the 96 proved that's not even that big a deal either.

What will you be doing with the truck?

 

[SlickmisterN]

E-locking can be such a useful tool or absolutely worthless depending on any given situation...

Putting in an E-locker with all factory wiring just made sense from a value perspective...plus I wanted it. Now, many would say I have the holy grail of 3rd gens and that will be reflected in market value for years to come.

#Blessed

lol

 

[Kmurt]

Buy your moms?

Otherwise like said above, buy the best one you can find because most are overpriced and beat to shit. I wouldn't base it solely on a locker. I would say 95% of the people who own them don't need one.

After 13 years of life in NJ and 162,000 miles (I know thats nothing), moms 4runner is starting to show some wear and rust. Although I think her 4runner is better looking then most found around here. It's still her daily driver and she loves it anyway. I'm looking at getting a rust free one. Money isn't really an issue.

What will you be doing with the truck?

The truck will be used as a DD and occasional off roading. I'm getting into off roading so it will have a lift and other accessories on it.


Well thanks for all the responses so far everyone. Looks like I will wait for one with the e-locker. Better to have it than not have it. Who knows what you will come across when exploring.

 

[Jaketino]

Now, many would say I have the holy grail of 3rd gens

Yes... and we are very jealous.

 

[Unner]

The 01 and 02 3rd gen came with a center locking diff and ATRAC which isn't as good as a locker, but can kinda simulate a locker by controlling how much power is given to the wheels and which wheels. I've got a 4WD 01 myself. The other day I had the truck in 4WD and then took it out, and then forgot to put it back in when I went down another trail. I ended up in some pretty rough stuff and thought I was gonna get stuck in 2WD but it didn't. The ATRAC kicked in and even though my idea was to use brute force and ignorance to get out by hammering it the computer wouldn't let me. Instead it just kept me crawling along controlling the power going to each wheel. As soon as i was out I put it in 4WD, but I was super impressed with how well it got through.

Personally I would look for whatever is in the best condition with the miles and price range you want. Being in NJ you may want to look into flying to a southern state to pick a 4Runner without any rust. I don't have any rust on mine and it's 14 years old now. My ideal 4Runner would be an 01-02 Sport Edition, but I've got the next best thing with an 01 SR5. If you're looking for a manual then an 01-02 isn't an option without a swap because they weren't available then.

 

[02SE]

When I bought my '97, SR5, V6, 4wd, 5-speed, W/E-locker new off the lot, the E-locker was a $325.00 (MSRP) option. There was no way I would have bought a 4Runner without it.

No, I don't use it all the time. But I have used it on many occasions, and it has proved it's worth every time. Off-road, I can just idle through areas that others with an open diff have to use lots of wheelspin to get through. That tears up the trail, (which can lead to it being closed) and is more likely to break parts on their trucks, too.

It's even proved it's worth on-road many times, to get moving in deep snow situations.

If you never venture off paved roads, or get severe snow storms, you might not need it. Of course if I never drove in those conditions, I probably wouldn't still own my 4Runner.

 

[mxer]

Fine...if money is no issue, get a 2002 so you can have the MM transfer case, lowish miles then put ARB lockers front and rear.

 

[AZTOY]

Get a runner in the best condition and price. Then you can put a locker in after. $300 for my Aussie locker. Works great and big boost off road.

 

[KidVermicious]

Get a runner in the best condition and price. Then you can put a locker in after. $300 for my Aussie locker. Works great and big boost off road.

This.

 

[habanero]

And don't rely on the ads to find what you're looking for- get to know what you want so you can better spot it, sellers don't always know what they've got.

That's how we ended up with a 99 Highlander edition manual trans w/locker for a very nice price. Guy didn't know what he had...

 

[Kmurt]

Fine...if money is no issue, get a 2002 so you can have the MM transfer case, lowish miles then put ARB lockers front and rear.

Get a runner in the best condition and price. Then you can put a locker in after. $300 for my Aussie locker. Works great and big boost off road.

This was also another option. Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but I'm not sure what the MM transfer case is. There are pleny of 2001-2002 4runners for sale for good prices. I've heard of ARB lockers, aussie lockers, yukon, etc... I just don't know what I'm really looking for because of my lack of knowledge. So would a 2002 4x4 4runner with say an aussie locker be equivelant to a 2000 4x4 4runner with an e-locker? I would say that I will be more on-road than off-road, maybe a couple of times a month if that. I would one day like to travel to the mountains and deserts.

Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

 

[Monkeybutt2000]

Really depends how much "off-roading" you're gonna do. I have an 01'with the MM transfer case,and this thing has pulled me through some stuff I didn't think it would. I'm sure with a locked rear it would be even more amazing but for what I use it for right now (DD) it's not necessary. FYI,I have a buddy with a 99',and noticed he had the e-locker. I asked him if he'd ever used it and he said 'What's that"? LOL.

 

[KidVermicious]

I just don't know what I'm really looking for because of my lack of knowledge.

Then don't sweat it. Get a truck in good shape, and then learn as you go. Don't worry about the multimode (hint: you don't need it) or the elocker (you can add it later). Just get a nice truck and go get it dirty.

 

[02SE]

Get a runner in the best condition and price. Then you can put a locker in after. $300 for my Aussie locker. Works great and big boost off road.

But if you drive in slippery conditions, an auto locker can be a pain, or even dangerous. The rear end will slide towards the low side of the road, in off-camber conditions.

I recall being on a narrow, off-camber dirt shelf road, in snow and ice conditions. The truck I was driving had a Detroit Locker. Lets just say the pucker factor was waaay too high. I ended up shoveling and chipping away at the ice for hours to get down to bare dirt, just to be able to back up without sliding off the road, and going over the cliff.

A selectable locker or even just an open diff would have greatly reduced the danger in that scenario.

 

[AZTOY]

Kmurt....what 02SE said (about icey roads), I have heard others say that also. Also for locker clarification, my Aussie locker is torque driven, which basically means that if I am on the gas, my rear end is locked. An E-locker or Air locker is activated by the push of a button, so there is more user control. Torque "lunchbox" lockers are inexpensive, Electric and Air lockers are more expensive. It really just depends on your needs and preference. Research the lockers and see which suits you best.