trading discovery for 99 4Runner
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Thai
Elite Member
Welcome to the forum.
Yes, the 99 4runner does have a locking center diff...a mechanically locking diff.
Your '03 Disco will be slightly faster due to the new engine in the Disco (from older Range Rover). Your Disco maybe a bit quieter on the highway (wind noise and road noise)...but it does have more drivetrain noise than 4runner. Lastly, your Disco will be more comfortable than 3rd gen 4runner (1996-2002). If you have the optional sound system (harman/kardon), then you would have a better sound system than 4runner. If you have the stock system, then i prefer the 4runner's system.
I drove an '03 Disco for about a month. I found getting into and out of the Disco to be difficult...even more so than my 4runner. I never could get a comfortable driving position. Steering and braking favors the 4runner. Handling will be a tiny bit better than Disco.
For off-roading, the Disco is very good. 4runner is better at:
1. Ground clearance
2. Approach and departure angles (although Disco is better at breakover angle)
3. Lockable center diff
4. Available rear electronic locker
1999 4runners do NOT have ATRAC (4-wheel ABS traction control), like what you have in Disco. Only 2001 and up have ATRAC. But, as above, it does have an optional rear locker from factory...so make sure you get one!
Another point to consider is that the 4runner has rear DRUM brakes, not disc. This is where the Disco has an advantage, especially in mud/water crossings.
As for safety, i "feel" tippy in the Disco. The 4runner has slightly better frontal crash test scores. As above, i feel that the 4runner has better brakes...or more easily modulated brakes. In addition, in the Disco, you sit awefully close to the door...which may be a bad thng in a side collision (but you do sit very high up).
Lastly, and most importantly, 4runner is infinitely more reliable and has a better resale value. The Disco is known to have a very reliable powertrain (noisy, but reliable)...however, the other "minor" pieces are not reliable, such as electronics, rattles, cheap knobs, cheap door lock mechanisms, etc.. The 4runner is just better built from the ground up.
May i ask WHY ARE YOU SELLING YOUR '03 DISCO??
Hope this helps...and good luck in your purchase.
Yes, the 99 4runner does have a locking center diff...a mechanically locking diff.
Your '03 Disco will be slightly faster due to the new engine in the Disco (from older Range Rover). Your Disco maybe a bit quieter on the highway (wind noise and road noise)...but it does have more drivetrain noise than 4runner. Lastly, your Disco will be more comfortable than 3rd gen 4runner (1996-2002). If you have the optional sound system (harman/kardon), then you would have a better sound system than 4runner. If you have the stock system, then i prefer the 4runner's system.
I drove an '03 Disco for about a month. I found getting into and out of the Disco to be difficult...even more so than my 4runner. I never could get a comfortable driving position. Steering and braking favors the 4runner. Handling will be a tiny bit better than Disco.
For off-roading, the Disco is very good. 4runner is better at:
1. Ground clearance
2. Approach and departure angles (although Disco is better at breakover angle)
3. Lockable center diff
4. Available rear electronic locker
1999 4runners do NOT have ATRAC (4-wheel ABS traction control), like what you have in Disco. Only 2001 and up have ATRAC. But, as above, it does have an optional rear locker from factory...so make sure you get one!
Another point to consider is that the 4runner has rear DRUM brakes, not disc. This is where the Disco has an advantage, especially in mud/water crossings.
As for safety, i "feel" tippy in the Disco. The 4runner has slightly better frontal crash test scores. As above, i feel that the 4runner has better brakes...or more easily modulated brakes. In addition, in the Disco, you sit awefully close to the door...which may be a bad thng in a side collision (but you do sit very high up).
Lastly, and most importantly, 4runner is infinitely more reliable and has a better resale value. The Disco is known to have a very reliable powertrain (noisy, but reliable)...however, the other "minor" pieces are not reliable, such as electronics, rattles, cheap knobs, cheap door lock mechanisms, etc.. The 4runner is just better built from the ground up.
May i ask WHY ARE YOU SELLING YOUR '03 DISCO??
Hope this helps...and good luck in your purchase.
Thai, thanks for the reply, that's exactly the info I need! I'm looking to lower my payment and I'm a bit disappointed that the Disco does not a locking center diff. It sounds like the rear locker is necessary since the 4Runner doesn't have traction control--is that right? There is a dealer nearby that has a '99, I don't think it has the locker, it would need to be added.
Good Times
New member
Have you also looked into the new 4th gen 4runners? They're up there w/ the previous 3rd gen 4runners too 
Either way, you'll be getting a quality offroading machine!
Good luck
Either way, you'll be getting a quality offroading machine!
Good luck
Thai
Elite Member
I believe that the Disco CAN be made to have the center diff locked. I think that there's a switch on the transfer case (at the bottom of the Disco). I believe that if you use this switch, it will turn OFF your traction control, but your center diff will be locked. This information is from the Land Rover board a while back.
In reality, there's very few times that a locked center diff is needed.
The 1999 4runners do NOT have traction control. So, yes, you do need a rear locker if you off-road often. You can tell whether a 4runner has it or not by looking at the dash area to the LEFT of the steering wheel...there should be a button for it.
Adding the locker to a regular 1999 4runner is a pain in the ass! This is from a few owners who have done it. I would highly recommend finding a '99 4runner that ALREADY has it from the factory.
Of course, you can also go the aftermarket route. Torsen LSD makes a good gear-based LSD...Detroit makes heavy duty lockers.
Good luck in your purchase!
In reality, there's very few times that a locked center diff is needed.
The 1999 4runners do NOT have traction control. So, yes, you do need a rear locker if you off-road often. You can tell whether a 4runner has it or not by looking at the dash area to the LEFT of the steering wheel...there should be a button for it.
Adding the locker to a regular 1999 4runner is a pain in the ass! This is from a few owners who have done it. I would highly recommend finding a '99 4runner that ALREADY has it from the factory.
Of course, you can also go the aftermarket route. Torsen LSD makes a good gear-based LSD...Detroit makes heavy duty lockers.
Good luck in your purchase!
