Just read about the center lock function, it seems that the advantage is to unlock the transfer case to allow the truck to be used in 4wd on dry pavement and avoid binding while turning, but does not help offroad at all - the ones without the center lock/unlock function are just locked all the time. Are the models without the center lock button locked in 4wd Hi and LO? For situations where there is snow on some roads and dry on others, I would like to have the ability to use 4wd on the road.
Newbie Looking for 3rd gen weekender
- Thread starter OBreezy
- Start date
fenrisx
New member
I've also got an identical black 2000 Highlander with 8-wraps.
The one in the ad looks really clean, and decent mileage to boot! If everything checked out I'd be all over it!
I bought mine almost 4 years ago with 144k miles(196k currently), and it's still going strong.
That's one thing I just noticed... I thought all Highlander models came with the e-locker, but I'm probably mistaken. I also noticed it doesn't have the wood grain, which mine came with. I'm not sure if these were just option on the Highlander or not.
AFAIK, pre-01 models didn't have the AWD option(Edit: I stand corrected. See post below, lol). Mine is either 2WD, 4Hi, or 4Lo. No AWD option. When the roads are snowy I leave it in 4Hi. Once most of the roads are plowed there's no need for using 4Hi anyways. Right now the main roads are plowed, but there's a few inches of snow on our street, but I don't even have to use 4Hi to get out to the main road.
If you run into a situation where you're in 4Hi, and run to dry pavement you can always shift out of 4Hi if you're going under 50mph(check manual to verify). If you run into a situation where you need to shift into 4Hi, you can do that as long as you're going under 30mph.
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theizzardking
New member
yes it's the.....
the 1999 i just told you about
.......... with the multi-mode t-case has the what i'll call the all wheel drive mode (for pavement 4x4) the locked 4x4 mode (not 4x4 for use on pavement)
2wd drive and e-locker.
trust me from the questions your asking search multi-mode t case, you want a 1999 highlander limited with teh e-locker and multi-mode t-case.
just look at the spec on it and decide yourself.
on the multi-mode t case in teh 1999
you have
2wd
4-hi (awd or 4x4 on pavement)
4-hi2 (locked 4x4 not for use on pavement)
4-lo (low range gear for 4x4 locked not for use on pavement)
and if you have the highlander/limited edition you also get
the coveted
rear e-locker ( 4x4x2 def not for use on pavement and for driving over big manly things)
and factory installed 1-1.5 inch lift
OK, i am getting the picture now. I do think the AWD option would be good for me. Now here's the question to help me identify these models when i see them: For the model I am looking for with E-locker and the AWD option, where are the 2 buttons? It seems that they would be in the same spot.
theizzardking
New member
the e-locker will be button on the left hand side of the steering wheel that says
"RR-DIFF" or "RR" somethign or other
and as for the 4wd in the multi-mode t-case the push button AWD,4x4 for pavement mode on the side of the second shifter and when you want a locked or true 4x4 mode you pull the shifter back and then your locked front to rear for non-pavement 4x4
the branding and naming of these systems gets very confusing, I'm just trying simply it by saying AWD and 4x4, depending on year it will be called something all together different
here's info on the 1999 awd system
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/45152-1999-awd.html
disregard P-nuts comments, he doesn't seem to know what he's talking about in that thread.
also pic of the diff lock button
theizzardking
New member
pic of awd mode on shifter
If I were you I would look for a 99-2000 limited. They have the AWD function and a fair number of them have rear diff locks. They also have the leather standard that you prefer.
Here is one local to me with the diff lock on craigslist:
***2000 Toyota 4runner Limited,4wd***
Here is one local to me with the diff lock on craigslist:
***2000 Toyota 4runner Limited,4wd***
theizzardking
New member
you hit that button above when your driving on pavement for awd and if you want a true 4x4 system (non pavement) you just pull back on the shifter to lock the center diff,t-case or whatever you want to call it.
4-Ripcord
New member
That is EXACTLY the 4runner is spent months looking for. I would call that guy today. Dont be discouraged by having to take a road trip. I found my current 4runner in denver..
theizzardking
New member
x2 looks to have everything, no comment on how it runs and the rest but it's all there and i'm pretty sure from looking at it that it does have the tall coils, or 1 inch or more factory lift, if you want to call it that
theizzardking
New member
are you sure, mine 1999 limited with e-locker and all of those same options came with the tall coils, i agree it's a 50/50 chance that they are the tall coils or not but that is the highlander edition so the chances of it having the factory lift are better then not having the multi-mode,locker combo.....
you know it's always tough to judge that sort of thing and there's no easy way to tell, but it does look promising to me, personally, lol
That one is nice, however is it a bit pricey for the amount of miles? One of the reasons to start this was to see what I should be looking at price wise. Also, which ones come with the fake vent on the hood, i know its useless but dang is it sexy. With your guys help i think I'll find the perfect one!
4-Ripcord
New member
Weither it does or does not, its a nice 4runner.
Obreezy: how much extra are you willing to spend to get a top-of-the-line 4runner? This one is a good as it gets, just about. And for a 4runner, those many miles aren't a big deal. You can easily get 400k trouble free miles from the 3.4L. You may be able to get him down near $9k, if you try hard. But if budgets are tight, you gotta do what you gotta do.
I live and work in Manhattan so this is really just a toy for me to take Snowboarding, camping and to the beach. With that in mind, I would probably like to keep it under 8 grand if possible. If going that low on price is going to get me a bucket of issues in the truck that are going to be pricey later, then i would have to re-think it. thanks.
theizzardking
New member
What your talking about now is value for money , to get all of the options you want for the price you want should stay looking at jeeps but then you have to deal with massive issues and all of the rest.
Better to spend the 1k now get what you want and not have to pay to fix things down the road , you'll save money in the long run , or simply give up some of the options you want , you can get a runner for around 6-7 if you give up some of those things
Better to spend the 1k now get what you want and not have to pay to fix things down the road , you'll save money in the long run , or simply give up some of the options you want , you can get a runner for around 6-7 if you give up some of those things
I re-posted mine in the classified section after replacing the front brakes/WB's, windshield(bought it with cracked glass) and replacing the a/f sensor after the CEL light came on, if anyone knows someone like O looking for a ready to roll 4runner lmk,but mine is not limited nor is it rear locker .. plain jane 4x4 SR5 142k miles serviced on schedule and as needed. $ is mid $5's
So now I've got another thing to consider, what is everyone's take on stick shift? I had a friend in college who had a stick 4Runner and it was a blast to drive, it was pretty peppy. Traffic in stick stinks though. Check this truck out (might not have elocker but one of the few sticks I've seen)
Madison Motors - 1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4 5 Speed
Madison Motors - 1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4 5 Speed
theizzardking
New member
I could be wrong but I don't think that one has the multi mode case in it , that one would be sweet if it has the good case, locker , and stick and very very rare , I often hear people wishing they had that set up , not sure if that truck does or not
