multi-mode worth the wait?

[Jc12]

Hey guys, i have been lurking craigslist for about two months since i sold my last 4runner hoping to snag "the one". Originally i limited my search to limited models or sr5 01-02 purely for the multimode/electronic shift on the fly awd system. I've had it in my past two 4runners (both were limited) and used it a number of times a year. Typically when going to the mountain or hitting the logging roads.

I am aware you can shift the J shifter's into 4wd while driving but are the speeds different? I keep reading to check my sun visor for relevant info but that is hard to do in my case. I am looking for some opinions and whether people have lived without it or truly wish they had it. I am getting antsy to get a new truck and this is the main issue i am running into inhibiting me from making a purchase, thanks!

 

[98WhiteT4R]

I have a 98, so no AWD but I've never felt like I needed it. Not sure what your asking but the max speed in 4hi in the manual is 60mph.

 

[TCMach]

I've got a 00 and I've never wanted it. It's just one more electric thing that can go wrong. My buddy had one and his center lock went out. No full 4wd for him till he got it fixed.

You can shift both cases on the fly per the manual though. You'll just get 4wd not awd

 

[Kanger328]

I think the AWD mode only really helps if you live in a snowy area. There are times when the road is patchy and alternates between snow covered and non-snow covered. In this situation, the AWD mode would be handy since the center diff isn't locked. Driving on asphalt with the center lock on is potentially bad.

 

[eatmorechickenx]

We had bad snow here in Raleigh a couple months back. I went on a road trip in it and was running 50-60 on alternating icy/dry freeway with regular 4wd (96 Runner) with no issues. I maybe noticed the TINIEST difference in that it seemed to want to pull a tiny bit more to one side or the other but it was so small it could have been my imagination. There were no times when I felt as though the center being locked caused an issue with traction, though, and that was with lot of playing around and testing to see how it acted.

 

[RedManWalking]

I agree with TCMach.

I had a 99 and now a 02. I prefer the J-Shifter over the AWD option. Im big on having direct control over the transfer case.

 

[MStudt]

I have an 01 and really like it. The AWD was great for us on muddy back roads in Utah. The only downfall to the multi-mode models is the traction control. The traction control is an fuc*ing joke in my opinion. I can't tell you the number of close calls I've had because the traction control kicked in and I lost all power. This is an easy fix however, and doesn't take long to do. Unless you're me that this.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I have an 01 and really like it. The AWD was great for us on muddy back roads in Utah. The only downfall to the multi-mode models is the traction control. The traction control is an fuc*ing joke in my opinion. I can't tell you the number of close calls I've had because the traction control kicked in and I lost all power. This is an easy fix however, and doesn't take long to do. Unless you're me that this.

I've had 3 3rd gens (01 SR5, 98 SR5, 02 Limited) and I think the multi-mode is great. It is much more useful in the winter (IMHO) since I can shift into AWD and just drive until the snow melts. There have been very few times in the snow (on roads) that I have had to lock the center diff. It is also nice for mild off-roading (easy forest roads, etc.). It gives much better traction than 2WD and doesn't put nearly the stress on the drive train. And you can always lock the center diff when you need extra traction.

Granted, 01 and 02 have no e-locker (I have a TruTrac LSD) but you can add an Aussie Locker cheap enough if that's important to you.

Yes, the VSC is a pain, but the Andy Mod 2 gives you a switch to disable it, and it takes about 20 minutes (unless you want to get fancy like MStudt with his push-button switch).

 

[jgue467]

...Typically when going to the mountain or hitting the logging roads.

I am aware you can shift the J shifter's into 4wd while driving but are the speeds different?...

Yes - non-multimode = SHIFTING BETWEEN ”H2” AND ”H4” This can be done when the vehicle is stopped, or moving straight ahead at speeds of 40km/h (25mph) or less. Multimode (as you know from previous rigs) is up to 62.

Multimode can be used and is useful (to me anyway) during rain on hard surfaces (awd). Then offroad you can lock the diff (which helps somewhat) depending on ur situation. So this gives u direct control of the transfer case. I know many on here don't like, want or need trac and vsc. I'd rather have them than not so prefer the 01-02s for those and many other reasons (limiteds like you had). So I say Wait, it'll come! :banana:

 

[Brilliant]

I use the awd mode all the time on pavement for wet to snowy conditions.

 

[white_n_slow]

I had two runners with a plain-old J-shifter. Drove them both in the mountains in winter and never wished I had AWD or even gave it a second thought.

I have also owned a handful of other AWD vehicles (some with limited slip rear, & center diffs) and franky don't think it was really all that much superior to plain old truck 4wd if you know how to drive in the snow and know what to expect.

If you're concerned about snow driving, I think getting a set of real snow tires for the winter months would be a better investment.

Just my $.02

 

[MStudt]

Yes, the VSC is a pain, but the Andy Mod 2 gives you a switch to disable it, and it takes about 20 minutes (unless you want to get fancy like MStudt with his push-button switch).

Nice! I'm still working on this, but should have it done tonight!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I've never owned one with multi mode but I've never had an issue or felt inconvenienced with a traditional transfer case. The multimode scares me a little bit just because of the potential of things going wrong.

 

[JayRolla]

If I was buying an suv for the wife that she would only drive on the street I would get the multimode. In CO everyone knows how it can get icy real fast. The wife dont like to push shifters and buttons. She likes to drive and be safe. So she would get multimode. Her Ford Expedition is always in AWD and its one of the reasons she got it a long time ago.

Now if it was me I dont care. Whats worth waiting for is the E LOCKER! If you can find a 99 with multimode and elocker its best of both worlds. But like they all say its just another thing to fail.

 

[wake_rider]

Personally, I really like the AWD option. I think it seems to do better on ice and snow than in 4hi, almost like you never get that "plowing" feeling that you can get with the center diff locked. The ability to allow all 4 wheels to spin independently, completely open diffs and tc, has always allowed the car to seem less awkward when it starts to get sideways.

Now, I love to throttle around corners when it's snowy/icy and get those long power slides, and it always seems to be more flickable initially, then more capable to hook back up better in the AWD mode over 4hi. 4hi can sometimes have too much traction on the tires that you'd rather have spinning when you're attempting to come out of a slide, and it tends to push you in the direction you're aimed rather than where you're turning the front wheels.

So, is AWD all that important? Maybe not for some, but I honestly feel like it does better on snow and ice than in 4hi. Again, it tracks where you put the front wheels and gas it, while 4hi can sometimes tractor plow whichever direction the nose is pointing. This is especially important in higher speed correction maneuvers...

 

[THatfield]

I have a 00 SR5, so normal j-shift and I wish I would have waited for the multi-mode. I feel like the AWD in snow/ice is a huge improvement over standard 4WD, for reasons already mentioned. If it's what you want, I would wait for it or you will only regret it.

 

[02SE]

Whether it's worth waiting to find a 4Runner with a Multi-Mode T-case, that has Full-Time 4wd, is entirely up to you.

Personally, I would rather have a manual transmission, Part-Time 4wd, and the E-locker.

Since the Multi-Mode T-case was never available from the factory with a manual transmission, it makes my choice easy.

I bought my '97 4Runner new off the lot in '97, and have never felt I needed Full-Time 4wd in Winter driving conditions. In fact that's just about the only time I drive it anymore, is in snow and ice conditions.

 

[JEL]

If you're thinking about it that much, it's probably best to wait and get one with multi-mode, you don't want to regret not waiting when a nice multi-mode shows up for sale. I have a '97 LTD before the 2000 LTD now, both with E-lockers, and I have to say I much prefer the 2000 simply for the multi-mode.

I have it and live where we gets lots of horrible wet snow in the mountains (Seattle), but I regularly go over the pass, and I really love the multi-mode's ability to simply set into AWD and go, not having to worry about dropping out of 4hi when the pavement hardens up, and as said before, I too feel it's better in "everyday" snow driving conditions than standard 4hi. Of course there is a chance something can go wrong, but Toyotas are pretty tough and reliable, and I just keep fresh synthetic GL5 in it by changing it all out every 30k to hopefully minimize the chances something will go wrong.

Oh yeah, it's certainly better if you're going to have a woman driving it in the event you forgot to unlock 4hi after a snowy day and the next day the snow is completely gone, they tend to just hop in and start driving down the freeway at 70mph with it still in 4hi on a dry day...ask me how I know.

 

[SeattleCyclist]

Your search is over

Wait no further. Search is over:

Clean 1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4wd multi-mode, factory e-locker

 

[Jc12]

awesome replies everyone, i appreciate the insight. I think i will try and hold out a little longer for the multimode. They just appear to be so damn rare here, especially when i am very keen on finding one with under 200km ( 125miles ).