T-case Differences (all years of 3rd gens).. transfer case, AWD, multi-mode

[frenchee]

Thanks for the info.
What about Speed sensor?
Is the speed sensor the same in all the models?
Are they electric or mechanical?
I believe I have a 97 J shift and the hole for the speed sensor just has a plug.
No sensor just a plug.
Thanks

 

[turbogod]

i have a push button t case i want to swap for a manual t case what are my options

 

[Diggo]

I have a 97 limited with the push button for 4hi. I can shift manually into 4lo but the front diff isn't locked up? I checked the vsv and it seems to be working. I also have vacuum. My 4x4 fuse is good but I replaced it just to be safe. My 4x4 light won't come on at all. I know my front isn't engaged by driving on pavement and no binding at all. Any suggestions? Thx

 

[Diggo]

Today I pushed the 4x4 button and drove figure eights for about 7 minutes in high. Then I put it in low and did the same thing. After about 10 minutes I noticed my front tires starting to grab. The light never came on?? I put it back into hi and drove around a little. I noticed it felt like it was in 4x4 hi. I pushed the button to take it out and it felt like it was still in. After a while it stopped pulling and the steering went back to normal. Several hours passed and I was dropping my son off at football. I was going about 10mph and pushed the 4x4 button, bam the light came on and I could feel and hear it go into 4x4. I tried to get my e-locker to lock in but it wouldn't!!! So I found a old farm field and put it in low, overdrive off and the power button on. Drove some s patterns with the locker light flashing. After about 3-7 minutes of that it locked in. It has been working ever since!! Needless to say I'm a happy man!! I wanted to share what I tried so that maybe I could help someone that was having the same issue.

 

[IconN]

New to the forum but have followed this thread many times....
Many thanks for the tons of good info here on this thread...
The 2002 does indeed have an electric actuator. BUT there is a rubber (vacuum ?) hose attached to the housing. This may give the impression that it is a vacuum hose. As best as I can determine it is a vent. I am not sure why that plastic cover housing the electrical contacts would need venting though !!
I have run into troubles with engaging 4Hi with flashing light on the dash etc.
My mechanic claims the electric actuator motor is shot. This electric motor is not available from Toyota (of course !) Instead they want $1900.00Cnd cash and carry for the whole actuator which THEN requires dis-assembly of the transfer case....
Fun, wow !

Have you been able to sort this out without blowing a bunch of cash at the dealership?

 

[IconN]

2001 T4R SR5 4wd ECU replacement?

I know this thread is dead. But I just got word from my local mechanic that my 4wd ECU on my 2001 T4R SR5 has bit the proverbial biscuit, and needs to be replaced.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening? The symptoms were the familiar flashing dash indicator for the 4x4, and 4x4 being engaged without the operator selecting it.

Also, where would be a good spot to find a bargain on one of these units?

appreciate all the help. There are some extremely knowledgeable people in this forum. I've been following for a while since I bought my beloved T4R, but only now when I've encountered problems have I had reason to post.

Thanks.

 

[brian2sun]

I know this thread is dead. But I just got word from my local mechanic that my 4wd ECU on my 2001 T4R SR5 has bit the proverbial biscuit, and needs to be replaced.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening? The symptoms were the familiar flashing dash indicator for the 4x4, and 4x4 being engaged without the operator selecting it.

Also, where would be a good spot to find a bargain on one of these units?

appreciate all the help. There are some extremely knowledgeable people in this forum. I've been following for a while since I bought my beloved T4R, but only now when I've encountered problems have I had reason to post.

Thanks.

If you want a bargain, you'll need to track one down at a pick-a-part/salvage yard and pull it out yourself. Otherwise, you'll have to order one from a dealer.

 

[1904runner]

Does anyone know for sure if the ecm is needed to swap the multi mode tcase into a 98 SR5?

 

[geocook717]

I have an 01 SR5 sport w/ Multimode. Based on the information in this post, and throughout the forum, Multimode AKA AWD with CDIFF LOCKED is basically the same as 4HI on the mechanical 4WD shifter? 4LO is provided for ever further traction.

My question is....Why would they include two ways to get to the same capability/functionality? Other than one is electronic, one is mechanical, which as I type this out IS a pretty good idea. Is there another reason? Or am I presuming incorrectly here?

 

[Rex10]

Which t-case do i need.

So is the manual j-shift a top shift transfercase or a foward shift transfercase. If there are both versions which one will i need to swap in to my 2002 4runner equipped with a A340f transmission. I would like for the 4wd shifter to come up in the same location as the factory 4wd shifter.

 

[tigershark]

What should dash show in H4/AWD?

4 What lights should come on the dashboard when the 4WD button is pushed? Are there separate lights to recognise the button-push and confirm that the system is engaged?

Does anyone know whether the wheel icons on the dash or the circle in the middle of them should be lit up when the button on the shifter for H4/AWD (4HI unlocked) is pressed?

When I follow the manual and the instructions in this thread to shift into H4/AWD at speed, the circle in the middle flashes orange for about 30 seconds then turns off. I hear a click in the transmission but don't really feel any kind of difference in steering.

If I depress the button, the same thing happens, but the light doesn't stay on.

My mechanic swears that 4H is engaging, but I'm not so sure.

If I use the shifter to go into H4L (4HI unlocked), the circle stays lit orange, and I can absolutely tell it's engaged properly.

It seems weird that nothing indicates that the H4/AWD is properly engaged, so I'm wondering if the four tire graphics should be lit in orange or green and I simply have a bulb out. My dash overall seems a bit dim compared to newer vehicles I've had, so I'm hoping that a bulb is the issue and that the 4H works, given that winter is coming.

I've done about as much research on this as I can and appreciate any input.

 

[thecole1098]

Does anyone know whether the wheel icons on the dash or the circle in the middle of them should be lit up when the button on the shifter for H4/AWD (4HI unlocked) is pressed?

When I follow the manual and the instructions in this thread to shift into H4/AWD at speed, the circle in the middle flashes orange for about 30 seconds then turns off. I hear a click in the transmission but don't really feel any kind of difference in steering.

If I depress the button, the same thing happens, but the light doesn't stay on.

My mechanic swears that 4H is engaging, but I'm not so sure.

If I use the shifter to go into H4L (4HI unlocked), the circle stays lit orange, and I can absolutely tell it's engaged properly.

It seems weird that nothing indicates that the H4/AWD is properly engaged, so I'm wondering if the four tire graphics should be lit in orange or green and I simply have a bulb out. My dash overall seems a bit dim compared to newer vehicles I've had, so I'm hoping that a bulb is the issue and that the 4H works, given that winter is coming.

I've done about as much research on this as I can and appreciate any input.

In unlocked 4H mode, the wheels should be green with no center orange light on. When you go into H4L (center diff locked), that is when the center orange light will illuminate indicating the center diff has been locked and you are in “true” part time 4WD. The reason you don’t feel any difference with 4H unlocked is because it’s essentially just AWD since the center diff is unlocked allowing slippage between the front and rear diffs. This is what allows unlocked 4WD to be used on dry pavement.

 

[phattyduck]

So is the manual j-shift a top shift transfercase or a foward shift transfercase. If there are both versions which one will i need to swap in to my 2002 4runner equipped with a A340f transmission. I would like for the 4wd shifter to come up in the same location as the factory 4wd shifter.

Its a top shift. Essentially all the 3rd gen 4Runner / 1st gen Tacoma t-cases are. That distinction isn't really used on the newer ('96+) chain-drive cases because they are almost always top shift...

-Charlie

 

[tigershark]

In unlocked 4H mode, the wheels should be green with no center orange light on.

Ah, thanks, very helpful. Sounds like it might be as simple as a bulb being out.

 

[poopypants]

Great answer, thanks.



With a standard J-shifter t-case, you can shift on-the-fly into 4HI and continue driving in 4HI up to 50 mph. If you are exceeding 50 mph in 4HI with a standard t-case, you could do damage. It's good to drive 10-20 miles/month in 4x4 to lubricate everything and keep it from siezing up, but in your case, freeway speeds are too fast for the t-case to handle it safely. If it still works fine now, I wouldn't worry about it, but I wouldn't continue to do it in the future.

The best place to use your 4x4 would be a dirt road, but if you have to drive on road, a straight highway with a lower speed limit would be much better than the freeway. It is important to engage 4LO a couple miles/month also as it uses a different set of gears in the t-case that also need to be used/lubed once in a while to avoid them siezing up as well. You can't go very fast in 4LO so I highly recommend finding a dirt road somewhere near you.

That said, I know people who have gone 10 years without ever engaging 4WD at all and it still worked when they needed to use it so it's not that imperative. Even if you engage 4HI for 2-3 miles/month and 4LO even for just 1 mile/month, you'll be just fine. These recommendations aren't as much of a science as they are guidelines to keep the 4x4 system happy.

[MENTION=47945]brian2sun[/MENTION] I would like to know where you complied this info... Specifically the info about 50mph max traveling speed for the j shift...

Cause as far as I've read, that 50mph limit is ONLY for shifting...

To further prove that point, the directions specifically state that shifting from H4 back to H2 can be done "at any speed".

I've checked my card, my manual, the supplemental manuals, the "Toyota touch mini manual", and the FSM for 1997 and there is not a single limit in this regard. Only has limit on the H2->H4 shifter throw.

 

[manualdr5]

Great work Brian!

For the life of me I cant seem to figure out what model transfer case I have. I have a 2000 SR5 4x4 with a manual tranny. The FSM lists 2 models, the VF2A and the VF3AM. Ive called the dealer using my VIN no luck, I called Toyota no luck. Any idea how I can figure this out? thanks.

 

[01_4_runner]

Good stuff

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[Duboges]

Thanks for the post, I learned a good bit about the 4runner I'm about to buy.

 

[Carnutbmw]

I am looking for a 3rd gen 4Runner as well, and I definitely want full time 4WD. This post is very useful, thanks!

Am I right in thinking that if the instrument cluster has the 4WD symbol with the circle in the middle, the vehicle allways has full time 4WD and the 4WD can be used on dry tarmac?

Thanks.

 

[zoombyu86]

I am looking for a 3rd gen 4Runner as well, and I definitely want full time 4WD. This post is very useful, thanks!

Am I right in thinking that if the instrument cluster has the 4WD symbol with the circle in the middle, the vehicle allways has full time 4WD and the 4WD can be used on dry tarmac?

Thanks.

If you search, there is a "3rd Gen buyers Guide" and it goes into detail about different models. I think all Limiteds have the 4WD selector which is AWD (better suited for pavement). It does also have the locked 4wd HI and LO. Don't quote me, the buyers guide gives better detail of each model configuration.