Shopping for a Limited 4WD w/locking diff

B

BoltMan5537

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I've been looking for about a month now for a white 4WD Limited, '99-'01, and I'm finding that these vehicles aren't as common here in So Cal as they are in other areas of the country with harsher weather. So I may have to buy one from outside of the area. And to make things even more difficult on myself, I really want one with the locking differential option.

So here's the problem, I've never seen what the button actually looks like, so when I'm talking to the seller on the phone (usually ditso salesmen at a used car dealership), I'm not sure exactly what to describe to them. My understanding is that it's a button on the left side of the dashpanel. Is it on the woodgrain part of the dashpanel, or is it on one of the two rectangular spots for a switch on the far left side of the dash? Does anyone actually have a photo of this switch, and does it look the same for all 3 years (99, 00, 01)? And does anyone know just how rare or common this option was during these years?

Thanks,
Raleigh
 
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The button is on the wood grain part of the panel on the left side of the steering wheel. It is a push in function button, with red lettering on it. I'm sure if you do a search or google it you can find a pic of it.
 
Actually, I have tried to find pictures of the "lock differential" button via Google, via reading 4Runner reviews & photo galleries, and by looking at the "Everything you want to know about 4Runners" sticky posts...to no avail. That's why I posted a question here as I though some of you would (hopefully) have that button on your vehicle, or would have a picture of it.

So when you say the button has red lettering...what does the lettering say? Is there a small picture or icon on or near the button as well to identify it? Is there any other way, other than the button, to confirm or identify that a 4Runner has the locking diff option?

Thanks again.


Biff said:
The button is on the wood grain part of the panel on the left side of the steering wheel. It is a push in function button, with red lettering on it. I'm sure if you do a search or google it you can find a pic of it.
Click to expand...
 
the button says

RR
DIFF
LOCK

real_carboncloseup_grey_black2.jpg


also, you should know they are not available in 01's and 02's.
 
Hey Boltman 5537,

Here's that picture you need--- hope this helps you...???
 

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if you can find a 99 that'd be the best model.. cuz it doesn't have the atrac crap (2001/02 i think, maybe the 00 has it too.. not sure). life will be better when you offroad and drive in a day to day basis.

otherwise, good luck. 99 ltd w/ elocker is rare! then again, any 3rd gen elocker is rare!!

good luck!
 
If you are looking for a limitied 4WD up through model 2000 it should be no problem to find one with a locker, finding one without would be the trick. All 4WD Limited models through 2000 came with the locker standard, if there is no locker question the validity of the limited badging. 01 and up no longer had the locker at all.
 
pat161 said:
If you are looking for a limitied 4WD up through model 2000 it should be no problem to find one with a locker, finding one without would be the trick. All 4WD Limited models through 2000 came with the locker standard, if there is no locker question the validity of the limited badging. 01 and up no longer had the locker at all.
Click to expand...

I think they're talking about the rear diff lock not the center diff lock. The rear dff lock was a fairly rare option I believe.
 
No, I am referring the the rear diff lock, and all pre 01 4wd Limited models should have it, it was part of the package. I can't remember what year toyota started to offer the center diff., and thus full time 4wd, maybe 99? Any truck with a center diff. has the center diff lock, they need it to have traditional 4WD performance. Also that is a torsen unit and not the same as the toyota electronic rear diff. lock.
 
Actually, the rear locking differential is *definitely* optional on the Limited 4WD, at least on the '99 and '00 models. I've been shopping for '99 and '00 Limited 4WD models, and I have definitely run across several that don't have the Locking Rear Differential option.

pat161 said:
No, I am referring the the rear diff lock, and all pre 01 4wd Limited models should have it, it was part of the package. I can't remember what year toyota started to offer the center diff., and thus full time 4wd, maybe 99? Any truck with a center diff. has the center diff lock, they need it to have traditional 4WD performance. Also that is a torsen unit and not the same as the toyota electronic rear diff. lock.
Click to expand...
 
Perhaps it is just in my area, they all came with the locker here. I would question the validity of any LTD without a locker, especially those years.
 
I don't think that I would doubt the authenticity of a Limited 4Runner w/o rr locking diff. This was an option and from my understanding many people did not get this option added. I also think that if you really have to have this option that you could always add it on afterwards. Find a good deal on a 4Runner that you like and then find a bodyshop that you like to mod it for you. I am pretty sure that you can order the locking differential from Toyota and mod your open axle to work with the new differential. Here are some websites that you might want to check out:

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/toyota_info.htm#differentials

Go under Lockers...Toyota Electoric Lockers.

Hope this helps.

later,
andy
 
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