Factory locker or not?

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photograjockey

New member
Hey ya'll! After reading many posts on here to learn what the best 4runner for me to buy would be (yes.. don't have mine yet), I am left with a question about the rear locker option for 96-2000, and one other question.

First off, I am wondering how common the factory lockers were as an option. Many of the ones I have come across did not have the option. Also, I am wondering the benefits or drawbacks of having the factory locker vs. installing one afterwards. Is this an expensive add on. I am not too mechanically inclined in this department.

My other question is on the durability and reliability of two different 4drive systems. Is the multi mode in the sr5 ('01-'02) just as durable as the manual box in the earlier models? Also, Do you see any benefits or drawbacks of one system vs. the other. Looking forward to your advice!!
 
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No drawback to the factory locker I know of. Adding a locker afterward will be 600-1000+ if you have someone else install it, which it sounds like you would.

Not alot of them have them but they can definantley be had if you are patient. I kind of dumb-lucked into mine, but knowing what I know now I would never buy one without it.

I'm also pretty certain all 3rd gen gear boxes are equally reliable. I know some have a sensor go out that causes it to stay in 4wd. Mine did last winter after 10 years and 250k miles. It was a $40 switch and it took 15 minute to change and everything worked like new. All in all I would say that's pretty darn good.
 
josh.bunch said:
Adding a locker afterward will be 600-1000+ if you have someone else install it, which it sounds like you would.
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What josh.bunch is refering to is a selectable locker such as an arb or the elocker. If you throw in a lunch box locker, they run about 250 and can be done by the novice of people in a short time.
 
Bamf_CT2004 said:
where do you live and is it going to be a DD?
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I live in Alabama. It will be a daily driver, but plan to get onto some light trails with it. Eventually get into building it up after 4 or 5 years and making it a second vehicle. The only bad conditions we get down here is bad rain, and a very very very occasional snowfall in the winter.
 
josh.bunch said:
No drawback to the factory locker I know of. Adding a locker afterward will be 600-1000+ if you have someone else install it, which it sounds like you would.

Not alot of them have them but they can definantley be had if you are patient. I kind of dumb-lucked into mine, but knowing what I know now I would never buy one without it.

I'm also pretty certain all 3rd gen gear boxes are equally reliable. I know some have a sensor go out that causes it to stay in 4wd. Mine did last winter after 10 years and 250k miles. It was a $40 switch and it took 15 minute to change and everything worked like new. All in all I would say that's pretty darn good.
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Thanks for the advice! I am going to take a few minutes to read through your build on here! Can't wait to see what you have done to yours!
 
photograjockey said:
I live in Alabama. It will be a daily driver, but plan to get onto some light trails with it. Eventually get into building it up after 4 or 5 years and making it a second vehicle. The only bad conditions we get down here is bad rain, and a very very very occasional snowfall in the winter.
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If I lived in a region where the climate was like yours, I would have picked up a 4runner without the elocker and thrown in a lunch box. Since I DD mine and live an area where snow and ice are likely on the road I opted for the elocker. A lunch box can be fun in the snow and on ice but, when you are trying to drive serious, it can get very annoying at times.
 
Not all that much yet to be honest. I'm kind of on the same path you are. This is now a DD but with 1-2 years will be full time recreational rig. Mine is slow for now bc i do it all myself amd learn as i go since i've never done anything like what im doing now. I ordered outdoor logics rear swing out bumper and it actually shipped today. Can't wait to get it on.

Just look for a 4x4 with elocker that has been well maintained. I like the 99-00 better because of the center console and cup holders (maybe cheesey). The cosmetic stuff can me changed or fixed relatively simply and inexpensively.

Make a list of the top 5 things you want in your new 4runner, and make sure you get atleast 3 of them. That way you shouldn't have any regrets.

Best of luck in your search.
 
josh.bunch said:
Not all that much yet to be honest. I'm kind of on the same path you are. This is now a DD but with 1-2 years will be full time recreational rig. Mine is slow for now bc i do it all myself amd learn as i go since i've never done anything like what im doing now. I ordered outdoor logics rear swing out bumper and it actually shipped today. Can't wait to get it on.

Just look for a 4x4 with elocker that has been well maintained. I like the 99-00 better because of the center console and cup holders (maybe cheesey). The cosmetic stuff can me changed or fixed relatively simply and inexpensively.

Make a list of the top 5 things you want in your new 4runner, and make sure you get atleast 3 of them. That way you shouldn't have any regrets.

Best of luck in your search.
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Yeah, I am the same way with the center console. I like the 99's for that reason as well. For some reason I remember reading the 00's had more problems than that 99's did. Not sure where I had seen that.

I am leaning a bit towards an '01 or '02 but I am just not sure about the electronic controls for the 4wd and that sort of thing. They also added the stability control and v-trac (not sure if the names are right). I think the 99's are the most straight forward mechanically but also a bit more modern as well.. (digital gauge, cup holders, digital odometer, dual outlets, etc.) Definitely leaning cloth over leather so I am looking SR5.

I subscribed to your build thread, so can't wait to see more!
 
I'll answer some of your questions as well and to add onto the others. The locker is most common in Limiteds, but can be found in SR5 models. It is not available in 01-02 models, so keep that in mind when looking. If you really want a locker and the 99+ upgrades you will have to go with either a 99 or 00.

I would shy away from a lunchbox locker because they are not the greatest for daily driving. People say they don't notice them, but you will have to change your driving habits a little and isn't great on snowy/icy roads. I would either go with a factory locker or ARB, if you are going to go for either. Adding an ARB will run you ~1k (not sure if that quote is correct) and should be done by someone who knows about it.

The electronic 4wd does have its issues and it can be costly. The actuator sometimes goes out and that is ~$1000 job at a dealership or ~$800 part. It depends on how the PO operated and took care of the 4wd system. This issue will only be found on 99-00 Limiteds and all 01-02's. All the 96-98 models have the manual J shifter and the 99-00 SR5's have the J shifter as well, which won't have an electrical issue.

Good luck with your search and if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.
 
I dumb lucked in to my locker too...never seen that option or button and all my toy buddies hate me now cause I have it stock and they dont...there are things on this vehicle Ive never had the privilage of before....hehehe 96 sr5 170k 3500bones...I love it and in a year or two I will straight axle the front and turn it into predominantly recreational vehicle. Ive got a 82 toy p/u with a welded rear and it sucks cause it tears the tires up and chirps when you take tight turns...people look at me like Im re****ed when they hear it and I look at them the same way cause they dont know why...then there is the offroad beastie with lockers front n rear...mmmmmm
 
SCRunner12 said:
I'll answer some of your questions as well and to add onto the others. The locker is most common in Limiteds, but can be found in SR5 models. It is not available in 01-02 models, so keep that in mind when looking. If you really want a locker and the 99+ upgrades you will have to go with either a 99 or 00.

I would shy away from a lunchbox locker because they are not the greatest for daily driving. People say they don't notice them, but you will have to change your driving habits a little and isn't great on snowy/icy roads. I would either go with a factory locker or ARB, if you are going to go for either. Adding an ARB will run you ~1k (not sure if that quote is correct) and should be done by someone who knows about it.

The electronic 4wd does have its issues and it can be costly. The actuator sometimes goes out and that is ~$1000 job at a dealership or ~$800 part. It depends on how the PO operated and took care of the 4wd system. This issue will only be found on 99-00 Limiteds and all 01-02's. All the 96-98 models have the manual J shifter and the 99-00 SR5's have the J shifter as well, which won't have an electrical issue.

Good luck with your search and if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.
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Definitely liked this info. as you answered the questions I was wanting to ask as well. :thanks::thumb3:
 
I bought my truck knowing 0 percent about 4runners...

Just saw a standard truck and bought it... ( I was in a tight squeeze as I sold my car for way more than it was worth... and let it go before i found another.)

Now, There is no way on this planet I would buy a 4 runner without a locker... I would even give up the 5spd for it... without it its just another truck.

I could add the ARB, or factory elocker but it burns me so bad knowing that i could have just bought one with it.

I think the Aussi Locker is however an amazing option ... just not for us that deal with snow half the year...

my 2 cents.
 
well heres my .02 if you plan on daily driving it then only get a selectable locker like the factory Elocker or an ARB like mine(i got it used -very rare to find one used that works so if you do jump on it and dont blink, and have right around $600 into everything including compressor and lines, but i also installed it myself). having a lunch box style locker/auto locker will be a nightmare in everyday driving and even in some offroad situations as stated above. the other option being as though they are kinda hard to find, is buy the rig you want dont worry about the lock, and get used to how it wheels off road basically stock you will gain a lot of trust in your rig this way and know its limits. then in 5 or so years when you decide that you want to get another daily driver and start using this as more of a second vehicle, weekend warrior and/or wheeling rig then you install your lockers(id recommend ARBs) and then you will really notice the big difference in what your rig can do and where it can go. plus by then you will have the money to dump $1200 into one ARB or $2000 into two. besides if you get ARBs you will have to have a compressor and then you will have on-board air -killing two birds with one stone, now you can air up tires and what ever else you fancy.
this is just my thoughts on your situation. now hey if you happen to find a 4runner that has everything you want, is the right year for you, and the right color, right trans, trim package and is in your price range ect. and it just happen to has a locker by all means dont let it slip by, grab it and you will LOVE it. best of luck to you!
 
The next question is... Do you need a locker? A lot of the guys that I wheel with don't have lockers and wheel some hard trails (5 to 7+). You will build a lot of skill wheeling without a locker. Later if you need a locker, add an ARB (yeah, I partial, I have an ARB).

The ARB will lock instantly. I will try most obstacles open. If I need to lock all I have to do is stop, flip a switch and go. It un-locks just as fast.

Some e-lockers, especially if not "exercised" will require some roll-in and roll-out to engage/disengage.

Sure a fully locked vehicle will make most obstacles easier but open will make them more of a challenge.
 
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