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

[zcruiser]

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.

I don't know what the circle means... Generally, the 3rd gen Limited has the AWD mode which is selected with an extra button on the side of the J-shifter.

SR5 on the left/top and Limited on the right/bottom (H2-H4 model selected by side button on Limited). So with the Limited, you don't have to move the J-shifter unless you want to go into locked mode.

 

[zoombyu86]

The middle circle indicates if your t-case is locked.

If you have all 4 wheels lit green, you are in AWD and the front and rear axle turn with an open diff at the t-case and at each front and rear diff, meaning, each wheel can independently have a variable amount of power to it. When locked, the center will also be lit (I think orange) and the T-case is locked, distributing 50% front/rear and your front and rear diffs are open (unless you have diff lockers). can be used on dry pavement but if making slower tight turns, it will bind.

 

[Carnutbmw]

I don't know what the circle means... Generally, the 3rd gen Limited has the AWD mode which is selected with an extra button on the side of the J-shifter.

SR5 on the left/top and Limited on the right/bottom (H2-H4 model selected by side button on Limited). So with the Limited, you don't have to move the J-shifter unless you want to go into locked mode.

The J-pattern for the Limited (picture at the right, concerns '99 and '00 Limiteds as I learnt from Brian's post) has both a H4 and a H4L(ock) position, which in itself shows there is a center diff which can be either locked or open.

I was asking about the 4WD symbol because for most cars on sale there is a picture of the instrument cluster, which makes it easy to determine whether or not the truck has the permanent 4WD T-case.

 

[Carnutbmw]

The middle circle indicates if your t-case is locked.

If you have all 4 wheels lit green, you are in AWD and the front and rear axle turn with an open diff at the t-case and at each front and rear diff, meaning, each wheel can independently have a variable amount of power to it. When locked, the center will also be lit (I think orange) and the T-case is locked, distributing 50% front/rear and your front and rear diffs are open (unless you have diff lockers). can be used on dry pavement but if making slower tight turns, it will bind.

I think you are right about that. And I assume cars without the center diff functionality have the different 4WD symbol without the circle between front and rear axles.

 

[Carnutbmw]

I was asking about the 4WD symbol because for most cars on sale there is a picture of the instrument cluster, which makes it easy to determine whether or not the truck has the permanent 4WD T-case.

... and also because where i live 4Runners are thin on the ground, which means I may have to resort to importing directly from Japan.

Having read Brian's thread once again, I understand that only '99 to '02 Limiteds have permanent 4WD, although I am not sure whether that applies to ALL Limiteds from that era.

And I believe that for the Hilux Surf (=4Runner as sold in the Japanese domestic market) things are a bit different. I still need to find out whether the '99 to '02 thing applies to the Hilux Surf as well.

 

[phattyduck]

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.

Yes. And since you are international, the multi-mode case was available on earlier year models, depending on trim.

-Charlie

 

[Mark_BC]

I just picked up this beauty of a 2000, split it with my 4runner buddy. Limited with elocker in good condition. I am thinking eventually I will swap out the T case of my '97 Limited automatic so I can get multi-mode. Right now it is locked so you shouldn't go on pavement with it. I don't have the locking center diff display in the dash so I'll have to do a lot more research on how to wire this up.

 

[Carnutbmw]

Yes. And since you are international, the multi-mode case was available on earlier year models, depending on trim.

-Charlie

Thanks Charlie.

I can't find much information on this, but judging by pictures of instrument panels in Hilux Surf models, the multi mode transfer case is much more widespread in these vehicles sold on the Japanes domestic market.

 

[tashtego]

Hi Guys,

I own a 1996 Hilux Surf with the multimode 4x4 system, with the lockable centre diff and the 4 different positions on the transfer lever

I have an issue with the transfer case, I am desperately looking for the manual and troubleshooting for the multimode transfer case.

I understand it is found in the 1999-2000 US.

Another forum member kindly sent me a link to a manual, but it only mentions the traditional transfer case , L4/N/H.

Any help much appreciated!

:0)

 

[Carnutbmw]

Hi Guys,

I own a 1996 Hilux Surf with the multimode 4x4 system, with the lockable centre diff and the 4 different positions on the transfer lever

I have an issue with the transfer case, I am desperately looking for the manual and troubleshooting for the multimode transfer case.

I understand it is found in the 1999-2000 US.

Another forum member kindly sent me a link to a manual, but it only mentions the traditional transfer case , L4/N/H.

Any help much appreciated!

:0)

That’s interesting

In case you’re after a user manual;

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35762U/xhtml/OM35762U.html?locale=en

Page 109 refers to the multi mode transfer case.

But I guess it’s a repair manual you’re looking for.

 

[Carnutbmw]

What does your transfer case lever look like? And do you have the one touch 4WD button?

 

[tashtego]

What does your transfer case lever look like? And do you have the one touch 4WD button?

Hi Carnut,

Thanks for the link to the manual, I will have a good look.

Yes I have the one touch button and the transfer lever with all the positions as in the multi-mode 1999 US version, with H2/H4, H4L, N, L4L. It's an Automatic.

The problem I have is that I lose drive when I engage 4x4 on the button.

So I put the truck on axle stands, got a friend to sit in and operate the system, and this is what I found out:

as the button is pressed in, for AWD, you hear the usual clunk, the 4x4 dash light display comes on, green lights come on at the wheels on the dash (as expected) the front diff engages very briefly, and the front wheels start to spin. However after a couple of seconds they stop, and so do the rear wheels, so drive is lost to both. You hear a whine that seems to go up as you rev…

Locking the centre diff with the lever (H4 position) restores drive, but only to the rear drivetrain.

As you disengage the button, there is a lot of metal on metal noise, and then rear wheel drive is restored.

The local Toyota dealer has tried to download the manual, but since the 3rd Gen Surf is a Japan market model, the in house repair manuals that Toyota can access are in Japanese.

They also looked at the US 4Runner manual, which is where things get a bit confusing: some of the electrics are different, in the sense that the connector for the actuator is different ( I am posting a pic showing the mechanic holding my actuator connector, versus the connector in the 1999 4 runner manual).

Because of this , Toyota here are reluctant to open up the transfer case, as they think it might be different from the transfer case in the 4Runner manual, in term of running gear.

They are afraid if it's a different transfer case they might not be able to follow the step by step instructions in the Toyota repair manual.

Do you know if it is the same VF3AM transfer case in both multimode and non-multimode versions?

Thanks!

Fabrizio

 

[Carnutbmw]

Do you know if it is the same VF3AM transfer case in both multimode and non-multimode versions?

Thanks!

Fabrizio

Hi Fabrizio,

I'm in the early stages of my quest for a Hilux Surf, so I am by no means an expert. But from what I've read so far the non-multimode models have the VF2A transfer case. The VF3AM contains a center differential, and the VF2A does not.

The only workshop manual for the 1996-2002 Hilux Surf I found is on a Russian website, and probably in Russian. I didn't venture to download it, don't trust Russian websites much ...

I believe quite a few JDM cars have been exported to Australia and New Zealand, and the Aussies generally like Toyota's a lot. Perhaps that could be a line of enquiry ...


Regards,
Frans

 

[tashtego]

Hi Fabrizio,

I'm in the early stages of my quest for a Hilux Surf, so I am by no means an expert. But from what I've read so far the non-multimode models have the VF2A transfer case. The VF3AM contains a center differential, and the VF2A does not.

The only workshop manual for the 1996-2002 Hilux Surf I found is on a Russian website, and probably in Russian. I didn't venture to download it, don't trust Russian websites much ...

I believe quite a few JDM cars have been exported to Australia and New Zealand, and the Aussies generally like Toyota's a lot. Perhaps that could be a line of enquiry ...


Regards,
Frans

Hi Frans,

Thanks for the advice, I have been given a link to a 1996-2002 4Runner manual in the other thread I started in this section, and if the multimode transfer case is the VF3AM then it should be fine as it will be the same as my surf.

I will explore the Aussie sites as well!

Most Surfs are RHD as they were originally meant for the Japanese market.You being in the Netherlands maybe you should look at a 4Runner from US?

Beforward has a lot of decent surfs from Japan, if you don't mind them being RHD. They ship them straight to your country and from what I have heard from people who use them , the vehicles are usually in good conditions.

https://www.beforward.jp/stocklist/...type=/steering=/sortkey=n/keyword=/kmode=and/

Cheers

Fabrizio

 

[Carnutbmw]

Hi Fabrizio,

I hope you'll get your Surf working properly soon. Please do post if you find a solution, I'm very interested.

For what it's worth, I read something about early cars having a vacuum actuator, whereas on later models - such as 4Runners from 1999 onwards - 4WD is activated electronically. I may have read this on https://hiluxsurf.co.uk , this site contains a fair bit of useful information.

As for myself, I would certainly prefer a LHD 4Runner. I have been looking at US 4Runners, but unfortunately this is not very attractive price-wise. After shipping, import duties and VAT this would get quite expensive. In addition, mileages are usually higher than on Japanese cars.

Thanks for the hint on Beforward. I have been browsing their website before, quite enjoyable I am also considering the option of hiring an agent to find a good car in an auction. Which is a bit scary, you don't really know whether an agent is reliable until after you've hired him :twitch:


Regards,
Frans

 

[turbo8]

I have part time 4wd in my 97 4runner 5spd, is it a straight forward swap to install a mulitmode AWD transfercase into my 4runner?

Driving on wet roads with a supercharger and LSD in back isn't fun anymore.

 

[dbryar94]

This was definitely helpful but I have a 00. Not limited that I know of (just bought it) and it has the ECT button. Just looked it up and it says it helps to get to a higher RPM before shifting, when is that useful??

 

[Tinigunner11]

I have part time 4wd in my 97 4runner 5spd, is it a straight forward swap to install a mulitmode AWD transfercase into my 4runner?

Driving on wet roads with a supercharger and LSD in back isn't fun anymore.

Its fairly straight forward if you are decent with wiring. You need the transfer case, multi mode 4wd computer, front and rear driveshafts from a 1999-2000 limited. I have a spare multimode transfer case and 4wd computer if you decide to go through with it!

 

[Blackdawg]

Does anyone have a pn for a j shift 4wd multi mode computer?

Trying to find one for a swap.

 

[Blackdawg]

89533-35070

I think this is the right PN. Can anyone confirm this?