Most "reliable" 4runner Trim?

[alico268]

Yeah, we are not connecting here. My 2002 Sport (not SR5 - Sport) had (as all the Sport Editions did) the locking diff, part time 4WD and was arguably better equipped box stock than any 3rd gen for off-roading.

Maybe I am missing something or maybe you are.

There it is.

 

[1engineer]

Yeah, we are not connecting here. My 2002 Sport (not SR5 - Sport) had (as all the Sport Editions did) the locking diff, part time 4WD and was arguably better equipped box stock than any 3rd gen for off-roading.

Maybe I am missing something or maybe you are.

Yeah. You guys are missing the fact that the OP wants a 5th gen 4Runner and not some 15 year old thing.

 

[M1911]

Thank you for all the replies. I really want a 2012 Trail that is listed for $32k on Carmax with over 41k miles, but I am worried about it having 2 previous owners. I love the look of the previous 5th gen Trail most.

Honestly, I think that is a bad deal. You can buy a new one for ~$40k. Depreciation on 4Runners is slow enough that you just don't save much buying used.

 

[Jetboy]

Yeah, we are not connecting here. My 2002 Sport (not SR5 - Sport) had (as all the Sport Editions did) the locking diff, part time 4WD and was arguably better equipped box stock than any 3rd gen for off-roading.

Maybe I am missing something or maybe you are.

Having a "locking differential" needs a bit of clarification.

A locking center differential (transfer case) is not the same as a locking rear differential (rear axle). Same idea - different differential. Every 4x4 4runner since inception has had a locking center differential. Toyota highlanders and Lexus RX350s also have locking center differentials. The AWD versions have a separate lock because they do not offer 2wd mode. On a part time 4wd 4runner the center differential is always locked when in 4x4.

In general, when talking about 4runners a locking differential is nearly always referencing the rear axle, not the transfer case because the center diff is always assumed to be lockable.

If your button looks like this it's not a rear locker like the earlier and later 4runners offered:

If the button looks like this - you've got a VERY rare 2002.

If the button looks like this - you're in the wrong forum

 

[Engineer]

Having a "locking differential" needs a bit of clarification.

. On a part time 4wd 4runner the center differential is always locked when in 4x4

Maybe I am crazy as I have heard/seen this many times but in my mind a part time 4runner does not have a center differential. It is true that it ACTS like a center differential that is always locked but the transfer case has no differential in it vs. the full time 4x4 (limited in 5th gen) which as mentioned has a differential in the transfer case (center diff) that can be locked or unlocked

 

[Jetboy]

Having a "locking differential" needs a bit of clarification.

. On a part time 4wd 4runner the center differential is always locked when in 4x4

Maybe I am crazy as I have heard/seen this many times but in my mind a part time 4runner does not have a center differential. It is true that it ACTS like a center differential that is always locked but the transfer case has no differential in it vs. the full time 4x4 (limited in 5th gen) which as mentioned has a differential in the transfer case (center diff) that can be locked or unlocked

In a technical sense I believe you're correct.

I think we commonly (if mistakenly) refer to a gear box that has a single input shaft and multiple output shafts is a "differential". For example I would still call an axle differential a "differential" whether the internal carrier has a spool, a mechanical locker, a selectable locker, or simply open spider gears, although only one of those is actually a true differential.