New user - quick question

[riffman12]

Hey guys, I've got my eyes on a 2000 limited with the rear locker and lockable center diff

My question: the car has 150k on the clock, but owner claims it was towed behind an RV (all 4 wheels on the ground) for a lot of its last 50k

a) I can't even remember if the odometer is electronic or analog

b) if its digital does that still track miles when the ignition is off? Or does it have 150k true driven miles


Thanks!

 

[sprchrgd_4x4runner]

I think the odometer still counts the miles but proly what the guy is saying they weren't miles done with the engine running so no real wear and tear I think I'm notnreally sure but that's what makes sense the most. Btw is it rear locker or center diff, I don't believe 4runners came with both so double check that.

 

[the great him]

if the owner has told you he has flat towed in behind and RV for a fair amount i would walk away. auto transmissions do not like to be moved while the vehicle is not running -ie flat towing behind another vehicle. if it needed to be towed it should of been on a trailer. i have personally seen several vehicles burn to the ground because they were flat towed(you can do it if you drop the drive lines). basically it will burn up the transmission.

 

[riffman12]

I think the odometer still counts the miles but proly what the guy is saying they weren't miles done with the engine running so no real wear and tear I think I'm notnreally sure but that's what makes sense the most. Btw is it rear locker or center diff, I don't believe 4runners came with both so double check that.

'99 and '00 had both. Rear locker was the normal button, center lock was done via t case shifter

if the owner has told you he has flat towed in behind and RV for a fair amount i would walk away. auto transmissions do not like to be moved while the vehicle is not running -ie flat towing behind another vehicle. if it needed to be towed it should of been on a trailer. i have personally seen several vehicles burn to the ground because they were flat towed(you can do it if you drop the drive lines). basically it will burn up the transmission.

I was worried about this, but then saw that he had installed a little pull knob on the floor that apparently disconnects the drive shafts or something? so that the diff doesn't spin. Going to look at it on a lift tomorrow so I'll take a look.

 

[sprchrgd_4x4runner]

if the owner has told you he has flat towed in behind and RV for a fair amount i would walk away. auto transmissions do not like to be moved while the vehicle is not running -ie flat towing behind another vehicle. if it needed to be towed it should of been on a trailer. i have personally seen several vehicles burn to the ground because they were flat towed(you can do it if you drop the drive lines). basically it will burn up the transmission.

Never thought about this but it sounds just about right. :hatsoff:

 

[sprchrgd_4x4runner]

'99 and '00 had both. Rear locker was the normal button, center lock was done via t case shifter

Cool nice to know mine is an 01 so I missed on rear lock just got center diff lock. I didn't know they could have both thanks.

 

[the great him]

maybe there is something i dont know, but ive never seen or known of a way to disconnect drive lines with out actually getting under the truck and unbolting them. so i dont know how pulling a lever would do such a thing idk if it was a manual transmission i wouldnt worry one bit if it had 1,000,000 miles from towing, but much more than 100-200 with an auto without dropping drive lines and id pass

 

[riffman12]

yeah I'll have to see what all that's about tomorrow

 

[awdjunkies]

Cool nice to know mine is an 01 so I missed on rear lock just got center diff lock. I didn't know they could have both thanks.

Yeah that's why I bought mine, I love the options.

 

[02SE]

'99 and '00 had both. Rear locker was the normal button, center lock was done via t case shifter



I was worried about this, but then saw that he had installed a little pull knob on the floor that apparently disconnects the drive shafts or something? so that the diff doesn't spin. Going to look at it on a lift tomorrow so I'll take a look.

There are companies that make driveline disconnects, specifically for use on vehicles flat-towed behind an RV.

With the driveline disconnect, the wear on the ring and pinion gears and bearings in the rear axle would be far less than when the 4Runner was moving itself under power.

As long as the vehicle has been maintained, it could be a good deal.

 

[T4R_Finally]

There are listings out there in the rv'ing world that show vehicles that are good for towing (dinghy vehicles). And there are some that can be towed safely under certain conditions, and some that should not be towed period. I would suggest researching where the 4runner falls and make sure the owner did it correctly.

 

[TheDurk]

Good question about the odo. This is a Limited so it has to be an auto. The digital odo takes sensor input from the ABS wheel sensor system, so I really doubt it advances if ignition is off. If left on, it would still advance even if d/s is disconnected.