Looking for a 3rd Generation 4runner 98-2000

bikerjosh

New member
So I've been reading up a lot on forums, and I'm pretty set on a 3.4 AT w/facotry locker. I've found ones that have look great, but no locker. How helpful is a locker? In my head I've rationalized better to have one and not need most times, but if I end up with one and it doesn't have it I'm hosed (or spending a lot of money to add one.
So anyone out there with experience with both.

As a side question every once in a while I see one with a trd supercharger any thoughts there on usefulness?
thanks Josh
 
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you can a locker for about 1K new or factory maybe $500-600 if you look around enough, given the 2 options i would get one with a supercharger from the factory and ad a locker then get one with a factory locker and add a super charger, i also wouldn't buy another persons supercharger add-on, it would have to be a factory equipped supercharger. if you want to add a super charger yourself it's between 1.5K-3K depending how you go about it , you might get luck and see a set-up for 500-800 though, i've seen a few on craigslist,

also no facts to back this up but, i'd be more wary of a higher miles truck with a supper charger as opposed without. that's just me though.

personally i think it would be easier to add a a locker then a super charger for various reasons.

the fact your asking how helpful is a locker and don;t seem to really know what they are for or do, i don't think you really need one, and this isn;t a knock or a dis if your a homie, i'm just saying that if you don;t know what they are used for you most likely have never found yourself in a situation where you would need one (yet)

with that said no one can tell you or knows what you do where you go and how you drive your vehicle, that said i don't use mine very often at all if ever but i used to do alot of that sort of thing and may get the whim, i'm a big fan of the boy scout motto of always being prepared, so personally for me, it's better to have it and not need it then to need it and not to have it,

good luck on your search man and post up some pics when you drag one home!
 
So I've been reading up a lot on forums, and I'm pretty set on a 3.4 AT w/facotry locker. I've found ones that have look great, but no locker. How helpful is a locker? In my head I've rationalized better to have one and not need most times, but if I end up with one and it doesn't have it I'm hosed (or spending a lot of money to add one.
So anyone out there with experience with both.

As a side question every once in a while I see one with a trd supercharger any thoughts there on usefulness?
thanks Josh

Please don't think I'm being insulting, that is not my intention and I'm trying to help. But, if you have to ask how helpful a locker is, then you shouldn't pass up an otherwise great 4Runner just because it doesn't have one. Otherwise you may just end up with a POS that has a rear locker you'll hardly ever use instead of a well-maintained perfectly running one that doesn't have a locker. I would take the latter anyday. My 4runner came with open diffs and it was like that for the first 7 years I owned it. Then I chose to install lockers.

I think everyone should learn to wheel with normal 4x4 1st, it makes you a much better driver when you are forced to choose the right lines (Pikeman and I were discussing this a few weeks ago and he made this point and I totally agree). Having a locker makes you not have to think as much about if it will make it up this or over that. Like izzardking said, you can always add a locker later and you have more choices than just the elocker too... ARB, Detriot, Aussie, Lockrite, or an elocker retrofit.

Also, there isn't any big differences between '98s and '96s/97s so if you're cool with '98-00, then you should be cool with '96-00 and you'll have a few more to consider in your search for the right one. And if you take my advice and get a 4runner because it's in great shape (with or without a locker), then consider the '01s and '02s as well.
 
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Please don't think I'm being insulting, that is not my intention and I'm trying to help. But, if you have to ask how helpful a locker is, then you shouldn't pass up an otherwise great 4Runner just because it doesn't have one. Otherwise you may just end up with a POS that has a rear locker you'll hardly ever use instead of a well-maintained perfectly running one that doesn't have a locker. I would take the latter anyday.
I agree but would like to add from owing a 95 and 99 in past and now a 98. I would def go for a 99.The additions that one year change had make a world of diff. to ME.I love my 98 and was a steal of a deal but mis the additions.
 
I agree but would like to add from owing a 95 and 99 in past and now a 98. I would def go for a 99.The additions that one year change had make a world of diff. to ME.I love my 98 and was a steal of a deal but mis the additions.[/QUOTE]

werent those changes made mid gen 99? Might be 99's both with and without? hmmm. either way i have a 2000 and i REALLY appreciate the improvements, there is a sticky on it on the 3rd gen forum.
 
So I've been reading up a lot on forums, and I'm pretty set on a 3.4 AT w/facotry locker. I've found ones that have look great, but no locker. How helpful is a locker? In my head I've rationalized better to have one and not need most times, but if I end up with one and it doesn't have it I'm hosed (or spending a lot of money to add one.
So anyone out there with experience with both.

As a side question every once in a while I see one with a trd supercharger any thoughts there on usefulness?
thanks Josh

Hey Josh, my rig is for sale. No locker though. Great condition!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/class...bo-excellent-condition-truly-great-truck.html
 
Well, you live in an area that doesn't see any snow, but has a lot of hills. The supercharger is going to be a lot more helpful given that.

How much off-roading do you do?
 
At

OP,
I am pretty sure the rear diff lock was not an option in the AT configured model. It was only available in the 5sp...and then, not all of the 5sp's had them. Somewhat rare...if I am wrong someone will chime in.
 

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