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

98 limited transfer case question ?

So trying to figure this out, looking at a 98 limited in 2 days so reading about differrent transfer cases. From what I read in this thread, the 98 was a multi mode and your choices were 2 hi, 4hi locked and 4lo. the desctription reads like that 4hi locks as soon as you shift it into 4hi, that 4lo is not lockable and there is no button on the dash to make them a lock or non lock.

Is that correct ?

I know the 2000 j shift, and how it operates cause I had one, and currently have a 2001 with the multimode with a button on the dash to lock and unlock the center diff.

my understanding that the 4hi unlocked is better and like an AWD on roads that have mixed conditions ( patches of snow and dry pavement)
 
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i think the 1998 USDM model didn't come with the multi-mode TC. afaik, it was introduced in the US in late 1998 for the 1999 MY.

for 1998, AWD was not yet an option.
H4 and L4 behaves the same as H4L and L4L.

98 limited transfer case question ?

So trying to figure this out, looking at a 98 limited in 2 days so reading about differrent transfer cases. From what I read in this thread, the 98 was a multi mode and your choices were 2 hi, 4hi locked and 4lo. the desctription reads like that 4hi locks as soon as you shift it into 4hi, that 4lo is not lockable and there is no button on the dash to make them a lock or non lock.

Is that correct ?

I know the 2000 j shift, and how it operates cause I had one, and currently have a 2001 with the multimode with a button on the dash to lock and unlock the center diff.

my understanding that the 4hi unlocked is better and like an AWD on roads that have mixed conditions ( patches of snow and dry pavement)
 
98 limited transfer case question ?

So trying to figure this out, looking at a 98 limited in 2 days so reading about differrent transfer cases. From what I read in this thread, the 98 was a multi mode and your choices were 2 hi, 4hi locked and 4lo. the desctription reads like that 4hi locks as soon as you shift it into 4hi, that 4lo is not lockable and there is no button on the dash to make them a lock or non lock.

Is that correct ?
The '96-'98 Limited has an electrically operated 2Hi-4Hi shift. There is no multimode in the US for those years. Same drive configuration as a 'standard j-shift' but the 2H->4H shift is electrically operated.

-Charlie
 
so the 98 referenced above did not work out...
so looking at a 99 limited today....now if I am correct, the 99 limeted with multi mode have a "J" shift style compared to the straight line of like my 2001
1) both will have the push button on side of shifter
2) however my 2001 has a button on dash to lock the diff, but if I understand. where as the 99 will lock when put into a shift postion like 4HL is 4 high locked ? So no other button to push to lock the 99 limited
Also I assume that the 99 "J" shift style is more mechanical and less electrical....whic to me means more reliable and less expensive to repair as I read of one thread where the actuator on a all electrical 2001 transfer case is over $2000 new.

so basically if I do get a chance to drive this 99 I should not see a button on dash to lock the center diff, true ?


of course if it does have a button also....maybe thats a rear locker :)
 
The 1999-2000 Limited J-shift transfer case will lock the center diff when the transfer lever is in the H4L or L4L position, no switch to be pushed like the 2001-2002 center diff switch.
AWD will be engaged via the 4WD button on the transfer lever as long as the transfer lever is in H2 or H4 position.



so the 98 referenced above did not work out...
so looking at a 99 limited today....now if I am correct, the 99 limeted with multi mode have a "J" shift style compared to the straight line of like my 2001
1) both will have the push button on side of shifter
2) however my 2001 has a button on dash to lock the diff, but if I understand. where as the 99 will lock when put into a shift postion like 4HL is 4 high locked ? So no other button to push to lock the 99 limited
Also I assume that the 99 "J" shift style is more mechanical and less electrical....whic to me means more reliable and less expensive to repair as I read of one thread where the actuator on a all electrical 2001 transfer case is over $2000 new.

so basically if I do get a chance to drive this 99 I should not see a button on dash to lock the center diff, true ?


of course if it does have a button also....maybe thats a rear locker :)
 
so the 98 referenced above did not work out...
so looking at a 99 limited today....now if I am correct, the 99 limeted with multi mode have a "J" shift style compared to the straight line of like my 2001
1) both will have the push button on side of shifter
2) however my 2001 has a button on dash to lock the diff, but if I understand. where as the 99 will lock when put into a shift postion like 4HL is 4 high locked ? So no other button to push to lock the 99 limited
Also I assume that the 99 "J" shift style is more mechanical and less electrical....whic to me means more reliable and less expensive to repair as I read of one thread where the actuator on a all electrical 2001 transfer case is over $2000 new.

so basically if I do get a chance to drive this 99 I should not see a button on dash to lock the center diff, true ?


of course if it does have a button also....maybe thats a rear locker :)

1) With a 99-00 multimode transfer case it does use a shift pattern, but the only physical shift that the lever does is high/neutral/low range. When you put the shift lever in 4HL it closes a switch in the transfer case and the transfer case actuator shifts the 4wd motor/actuator on the transfer case as required.

2) Correct. A 99-00 will not have any transfer case switches on the dash. The only switch it should have is the button on the side of transfer case selector for 4HI.
 
Hi, all. Resurrecting this thread for my first post.

I'm in the process of retrofitting a multimode case into my '97 SR-5 (auto). Donor is a 2000 Limited. Both trucks have the e-locker rear. The donor is already picked clean and headed to the crusher, so I don't have a history on it. The t-case is freshly rebuilt, so here we go....

Anyone who has done an auto-to-auto swap like this, any surprises coming my way?

So far it seems pretty straightforward. Details to follow....

(edit: I am using the 2000 4x4 ECU and harness)
 
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Hi, all. Resurrecting this thread for my first post.

I'm in the process of retrofitting a multimode case into my '97 SR-5 (auto). Donor is a 2000 Limited. Both trucks have the e-locker rear. The donor is already picked clean and headed to the crusher, so I don't have a history on it. The t-case is freshly rebuilt, so here we go....

Anyone who has done an auto-to-auto swap like this, any surprises coming my way?

So far it seems pretty straightforward. Details to follow....

(edit: I am using the 2000 4x4 ECU and harness)

The multimode case is 3" longer than the standard t-case, so you'll have to change out your driveshafts. The front driveshaft is 3" longer, the rear is 3" shorter. Hopefully you got those before that 4Runner went to the crusher.
 
The multimode case is 3" longer than the standard t-case, so you'll have to change out your driveshafts. The front driveshaft is 3" longer, the rear is 3" shorter. Hopefully you got those before that 4Runner went to the crusher.

oof, good to know. I didn't get them, but I know where I can get a set.
 
The multimode case is 3" longer than the standard t-case, so you'll have to change out your driveshafts. The front driveshaft is 3" longer, the rear is 3" shorter. Hopefully you got those before that 4Runner went to the crusher.

found a matched pair of shafts. Project continues.....
 
Done deal. 2000 MM case in my '97 SR-5 auto. Glad I took it to a shop for the wiring, because it was a spicy meatball. In principle not too difficult but it involved relocating the 2000 4x4 module to the DS kick panel, doing a lot of splicing, etc.

Definitely a big improvement over the "locked" 4x4 on unstable paved conditions. As it happens I had a chance to try out the MM on a section of highway with both flooded and icy patches between long stretches of dry pavement. Felt very sure-footed! I can see why Toyota moved to this system. Before this 4Runner I had a '97 FZJ80 with the viscous coupling between driveshafts. That was good for daily driving, but I think multi-mode is even better.
 
2000 limited 4 runner

I just bought a 2000 limited 4 runner with e locker. And i cant get it to go in 4-high only lo-4 works someone recently told me my previous owner must have changed shifters mine doesn’t have the ‘j’ shifter its just the 3 selections with the push button. By the pictures in this thread its showing to be the one for the 01-02 models. Any info on what i can do or if there were 2000 models made with these shifters thanks
 
I just bought a 2000 limited 4 runner with e locker. And i cant get it to go in 4-high only lo-4 works someone recently told me my previous owner must have changed shifters mine doesn’t have the ‘j’ shifter its just the 3 selections with the push button. By the pictures in this thread its showing to be the one for the 01-02 models. Any info on what i can do or if there were 2000 models made with these shifters thanks


Does your “e-locker” button have an “x” in the middle of the vehicle or where the rear axle would be? Send me your VIN or post it here and I can tell you what year it actually is.
 
99' SR5 Manual T-case same as Auto? No MM. J-shift pattern

I've had a bad drive shaft vibration for a while and was saving $$ to get work done on the t-case. I waited too long and the t-case went buh-bye! Had some play in the output shaft of the T-case to the rear drive shaft. Maybe easier to swap out the T-case than get rebuilt anyways?

Looking to get a used one. Is there a difference between a auto and a manual SR5 T-case? I know there is a difference between the Limited and SR5, multi-mode vs not.

I've got a J-shift with no multimode and the rear-lock push button on the dash. It's a manual transmission.

Part #36110-35271 is what I'm looking to purchase? I think?

Read through the thread and as long as it's a SR5 99-00 seems I should be gtg?
 

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I've had a bad drive shaft vibration for a while and was saving $$ to get work done on the t-case. I waited too long and the t-case went buh-bye! Had some play in the output shaft of the T-case to the rear drive shaft. Maybe easier to swap out the T-case than get rebuilt anyways?

Looking to get a used one. Is there a difference between a auto and a manual SR5 T-case? I know there is a difference between the Limited and SR5, multi-mode vs not.

I've got a J-shift with no multimode and the rear-lock push button on the dash. It's a manual transmission.

Part #36110-35271 is what I'm looking to purchase? I think?

Read through the thread and as long as it's a SR5 99-00 seems I should be gtg?
96-00 j shift transfer case will interchange. The automatic transfer cases have a sensor or two more than the manual transfer cases, but they’re simple to swap out. If you get one from a non abs 4Runner it will have a speed sensor in the transfer case as well.
 
Lots of good info but haven't figured out all my questions. 2002 4runner vf3am. L N H shifter. Has a flat 6 pin connector on the tcase actuator. It is shifting intermittently. When I shift from 2wd to 4wd its showing the center diff locked. Should you normally have to push the dash center diff lock button to UNlock it once in 4wd or should it go from 2hi to 4x4 unlocked with the shifter button?
 

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