question about the rear locker

[nquaint]

hi all,

I'm looking to buy a 3rd gen fairly soon and if I can find one with a the stock locker I'd perfer that, 98-2000 hopefully.
My question is what packages in those years have the stock locker, none of the ads I've looked at say anything about a locker, and I've looked at Sr5, sport and limited versions...
Are there just hardly any out there with the locker option or do the sellers just not include them in the description?

Thanks.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

It's an option that usually isn't listed even if the Runner is equipped with one since alot of owners are clueless about it. Lockers aren't really rare but finding a 4Runner that suits you with a locker might be a bit harder but be patient and don't settle for a lockerless one if you really want the locker.

 

[CSL]

When I bought mine, the seller did not have it in the listing. I think they are just plain hard to find. I felt really lucky when I found mine, and I got to tell you...if you do much off roading, the locker is GREAT to have! I love it!. Take your time and find the right truck. Good luck to you.

 

[Matt Starr]

When I bought mine, the seller did not have it in the listing. I think they are just plain hard to find. I felt really lucky when I found mine, and I got to tell you...if you do much off roading, the locker is GREAT to have! I love it!. Take your time and find the right truck. Good luck to you.

I'm gonna have to say that I am a b*tch. I bought mine not thinking I was never gonna go off road with it, and about 3 months after I got it, I looked down and said oooo what does this button do. I got the rear locker and I didnt even know it. I hate myself when I see other people struggling to find a runner they like and has a rear locker.

 

[p nut]

This is why they discontinued it on the new gen 4Runners (except the new TE). Nobody knew what it did and even those that did, rarely used it. I'd say less than 1% of the 4Runner owners knew what it actually did. I'd never get one without it, though. :bigok:

 

[Thai]

I'm gonna have to say that I am a b*tch. I bought mine not thinking I was never gonna go off road with it, and about 3 months after I got it, I looked down and said oooo what does this button do. I got the rear locker and I didnt even know it. I hate myself when I see other people struggling to find a runner they like and has a rear locker.

nquaint, you may want to ask sellers to post a picture of their dash...one that shows the LEFT side of the steering wheel.

 

[beallen21]

I'm gonna have to say that I am a b*tch. I bought mine not thinking I was never gonna go off road with it, and about 3 months after I got it, I looked down and said oooo what does this button do. I got the rear locker and I didnt even know it. I hate myself when I see other people struggling to find a runner they like and has a rear locker.

I'll trade ya rear ends, or we could meet half way and swap them out on the side of the road, sounds goo to me

 

[mike1305]

Is it not worth the time to try to install a locker after the fact?

 

[p nut]

Is it not worth the time to try to install a locker after the fact?

If I didn

 

[DewRunner]

E-Locker 4 sure!

All this locker talk has me thinking,

Anyone with intentions of lifting there 4runner listen up!

My tacoma was a 4cyl 4x4, and it had some 31's.. it struggled in 5th gear on the highway so i did some reasearch, it had 3.56 gears...

Then i found out the locker 4runners all come with 4.30 gears in the axles... and it comes with the locker!

4.30 is a good gear for 32 or 33's and gears are expensive so spend the extra time looking for the locked rear with 4.30 gears! my 4runner did amazing i used that locker all over moab it was the only thing that kept me going!

Good luck out there guys!

 

[nquaint]

thanks for all the replies, yeah its kinda the same situation when I had my last truck, when I bought it I didn't sweat much about it being 4x2, then it really bothered me when all my buddies were going out trail riding and I just rode shotgun in one of their trucks... haha.

I guess I'll just keep looking through ads and probably have to make a phone call to each on before I know if it has a locker or not.

So is it 2000 or 2001 the year that toyota stoped making them with lockers?

Thanks for the help!

 

[p nut]

Re: E-Locker 4 sure!

Then i found out the locker 4runners all come with 4.30 gears in the axles... and it comes with the locker!

That info is not correct. I've actually found that most come with 4.10

 

[nquaint]

Well I found one! 2000 4x4 limited fully loaded with the rear locker! I had to call the seller up and he went and checked about locker since he didn't know about it of course. He confirmed it and I just got back from taking a looking at it. Went ahead and gave him a down payment since I don't want to lose the deal while I get together the money. Its in GREAT condition so I'm really excited.

Is it strange that I'm more then comfortable for trading my 06 tacoma for a 2000 T4R? ha ha
(I love my tacoma but I'm getting really tired of the payments!)

 

[mike1305]

4Runners are waaaaaaaay cooler.

 

[createbmx]

:worthless

 

[Thai]

Well I found one! 2000 4x4 limited fully loaded with the rear locker! I had to call the seller up and he went and checked about locker since he didn't know about it of course. He confirmed it and I just got back from taking a looking at it. Went ahead and gave him a down payment since I don't want to lose the deal while I get together the money. Its in GREAT condition so I'm really excited.

2001 was the year the locker was dropped in favor of stability control, 4-channel ABS, and 4-wheel traction control.

That 2000 4runner looks great! One thing...if the owner has never used it, then you may want to have the dealer check it out for proper function and whatnot. A locker that has not been used for a while may not function...not a biggie, you (or Toyota dealer) can fix it up, but it could help you negotiate for a lower purchase price.

Good luck.

 

[nquaint]

here is a pic from the ad, I don't have it in my hands yet. hopefully tomorrow.

thanks for advice thai, does it make a sound when it engages? When I go back up I'll take a closer look at it.


<img src="http://view.admission.net/abc/carsads/_CARSADS_b3862cc4e7c95245a2d8916aed57fc81/i-1.JPG?t=tr/w:620" width="650" height="450">

 

[Thai]

here is a pic from the ad, I don't have it in my hands yet. hopefully tomorrow.

thanks for advice thai, does it make a sound when it engages? When I go back up I'll take a closer look at it.

I think that there is dash light that comes on when you lock it. I think that it only locks it in 4-LO. It will blink when you first activate it...and it will become solidly lit when the locker actually engages. To make it engage faster on dry pavement, you want to drive your 4runner (in 4-LO) while turning the steering wheel slightly to the left OR right. The locker teeth will engage faster...do NOT go left and right and left and right...stick with one side. Once the light is solid, then drive straight ONLY, unless you're on a dirt/mud road. Unlocking it is simply by pressing the button again (i think)...but still drive straight UNTIL the dash light goes out.

Disclaimer: this is how i think it works...hopefully, someone can confirm this or correct me.

That is a good looking 4runner! I love those rims...perfectly shaped (dish-shaped) for off-roading!

Hmmm, can you tell me where this 4runner is located?? I need to make a call.... Just kidding, very nice 4runner.

 

[p nut]

That 2000 Limited is SWEET! Pick that up ASAP! The 99-00 Limiteds are awesome, because you can run 4WD on dry pavement and it's the last year for the rear locker.

The transfer case lever will be a J-shift with a push button 4WD (AWD). To get into "AWD", meaning the center diff not locked (can run on dry pavement), simply push the 4WD button. If you need extra traction off-road (NOT on-road), move the lever down to L4H. This locks the center diff, indicated by the orange dot lighting up on the 4X4 icon. For 4L, put the transmission in "N", then move the lever. You can now lock the rear locker. Push the button. If it hasn't been engaged in a while, it might blink for a bit before going solid. Solid means locked. Also, you might hear a click coming from the rear. If it doesn't lock, do as Thai said and turn the wheel SLIGHTLY going forward or back. Don't be afraid if it doesn't lock when you test drive it. It might take some coaxing to get it working again, since I'm sure it hasn't ever been used. Mine locks on-demand now without driving forward.

Good luck with the purchase. Those Limiteds are my favorite of the 3rd Gen, with the only exception of a 5-sp w/ rear locker Highlander.

 

[nquaint]

ok thanks for the info.
I used to have a '93 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the select-track system that was a similar J shift style so I'm familiar with that, just never had a locker before!

Yeah I'm really happy that I found one so quick, thats why as soon as I inspected it and did the test drive I gave the seller a down payment right there so he wouldn't show it to anybody else. especially today being sunday and all.