I dont know that I am totally sold on the multi-mode AWD anyways. It doesnt appear to be computer controlled in the sense that it has the capability of transferring power to the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip. I think in the snow i'd just use regular 4wd HI anyways. I would like to have the e-locker though for the beach and trails. Unsure about stick shift though.
Newbie Looking for 3rd gen weekender
- Thread starter OBreezy
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4-Ripcord
New member
Actually, it is computer controlled. Starting in 2000 (i think, it may have been '99) 4runners got electronic traction control and vehicle stability control systems. I think traction control works great.
And yeah, 5-speed, multi-mode, and locker is the rarest combination of options of all 3rd gen 4runners. And the best in most people's opinions
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4-Ripcord
New member
Now that I look into it, yes in was in 2001. According to wikipedia at least.
Toyota 4Runner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I would still prefer a 2000 limited with multi-mode and locker though.
Toyota 4Runner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I would still prefer a 2000 limited with multi-mode and locker though.
theizzardking
New member
X2 don't be blinded by the fancy hood scoop and your severely under rating how nice a awd mode is
SkidPalace
Member
Yup, and add ~$3800 or whatever it was for the dealer installed supercharger.
I picked it up off the Sales manager who was driving it for ~9 months or so for about $12K off the original price.
theizzardking
New member
just think about when your driving to the mountains and have patchy snow and ice on the windy road there? a true 4x4 mode is less then ideal for these situations, as you have spots of bare road followed by spots of snow and ice
the best and safest way for getting around in those conditions is an awd mode not mention city streets where some roads are plowed and some are not.
as for the electric control aspect of it people have problems with the e-controlled awd versions of the 4runner and tend to make custom switches and wiring jobs to get around the problems.
you can almost achieve the same thing with a mech system as you can a e-controlled system and plus you don;t have to worry about stupid computers going on the fritz, if something breaks on a mech system you know what it is usually and can repair it for the fraction of the cost and is far easier to actually do. (imo)
bottom line from the drivers seat is that you'll notice almost zero difference between awd in either of the 4runners that have such a system.
just read through these.....
Let me google that for you
i'm bowing out of this conversation now, the choice is ultimately yours
you need to decide what options you can live without *cough* sport hood*cough* and which ones you can't and compare that to what you can afford and go from there.
the 1st one posted here was for 9K you might be able to bring him down to 8-8.5K that's only marginally more expensive then the 2nd one posted
think about the price difference and what your getting for that extra 1-2K
remember google works wonders as well, and search search search.
the best and safest way for getting around in those conditions is an awd mode not mention city streets where some roads are plowed and some are not.
as for the electric control aspect of it people have problems with the e-controlled awd versions of the 4runner and tend to make custom switches and wiring jobs to get around the problems.
you can almost achieve the same thing with a mech system as you can a e-controlled system and plus you don;t have to worry about stupid computers going on the fritz, if something breaks on a mech system you know what it is usually and can repair it for the fraction of the cost and is far easier to actually do. (imo)
bottom line from the drivers seat is that you'll notice almost zero difference between awd in either of the 4runners that have such a system.
just read through these.....
Let me google that for you
i'm bowing out of this conversation now, the choice is ultimately yours
you need to decide what options you can live without *cough* sport hood*cough* and which ones you can't and compare that to what you can afford and go from there.
the 1st one posted here was for 9K you might be able to bring him down to 8-8.5K that's only marginally more expensive then the 2nd one posted
think about the price difference and what your getting for that extra 1-2K
remember google works wonders as well, and search search search.
4-Ripcord
New member
Actally, the hood scoops were avaiable on '99-'00 'highlander' and '01-02 sport models. And as we discussed, ALL '01-'02 4wd's had the multi-mode t-case. If you want the scoop, get the scoop. I have it and i like it. Only bad thing is, most 01-02 4runners are going to be more expensive.
theizzardking
New member
It's called 4x4 , lockers are hard core , with these sort of questions you'll probably never need a locker to be honest , not bashing or anything just saying is all.
If your just going down logging roads and mountain passes chances are even if you have the locker you'll never engage it or need to , standard 4x4 is good for like 95% of people out there .
Just make sure you compare issues and functions between the multi mode and the trac systems of 4x4
If your planing on being hard core then hold out for the locker as it is about 1k or so to add it later , the better value is getting it stock as most people don't know what that feature really is .
If your just going down logging roads and mountain passes chances are even if you have the locker you'll never engage it or need to , standard 4x4 is good for like 95% of people out there .
Just make sure you compare issues and functions between the multi mode and the trac systems of 4x4
If your planing on being hard core then hold out for the locker as it is about 1k or so to add it later , the better value is getting it stock as most people don't know what that feature really is .
theizzardking
New member
Also was going to say you can add the hood scoop for around $ 500 to any 3rd gen, but most decide it's to much scratch for what it is.
I think I'd like to stay in the 99-00 models, I am not a huge fan of the electronic traction control that uses the brakes and throttle (VSC, TRACS). I had a similar setup on my old 99 ML320, and while it was good while slipping and sliding in the snow, I like to have the control myself and also prefer simpler systems with less things to break. I think you are 100% correct on the e-locker, but it seems that they don't really make a huge price difference in the used market so I think i'll hold out for one and at least have the piece of mind that it is there if i need it. Found a 99 limited with Elocker and 110k miles on Long Island that i might take a ride to look at this weekend:
1999 Toyota 4Runner, Used Cars For Sale - Carsforsale.com
1999 Toyota 4Runner, Used Cars For Sale - Carsforsale.com
SkidPalace
Member
I wouldn't consider a locker for the "hardcore" only. I have been in several situations where I probably would have to have been towed if it weren't for the locker. In deep mud and beach sand. Obviously 99.9% of the time you won't need it, but that .1% is a real *****.
Honestly if my truck didn't have it already installed when I bought it, I wouldn't have thought twice about it and not missed it. But now that I know what kind of traction the 4Runner has with it and without it, I can't believe any truck without lockers can ever truly be called a 4x4.
Even just this Wednesday after the 18" of snow, I tried to get out of my driveway to snowblow it and regular 4wd wouldn't budge the truck. 4Lo, no different. 4Lo + Locker: Out she went. Obviously that example is weak since it would have only taken a couple of minutes with a shovel, but I hope you get my point.
I remember years ago up at the ski house in Killington VT that I tried to get up a long steep unplowed driveway after a big overnight snowstorm and I just barely made forward progress in 4Hi. I completely forgot about the locker, being new to the truck and completely ignorant about it. I ended up high centered on the snow bank at the edge of the street and spent about an hour digging my truck out (losing a snowboard boot in the precess...Don't ask). Thinking back, If I had the locker engaged I would certainly have been able to bash through that bank by having better speed up the driveway. No question in my mind.
