WTB 99/00 SR5 Sport/Highlander... Should I Hold Out For The ELocker?

[wjamyers]

Hello forum, this is my first post so please bear with me...

I want to get a 4Runner for various reasons. I'm a Toyo fan since my '76 Corolla. 4Runners have one of the most solid reps for a combination of ergonomics, reliability, road-trip comfort and off-road capability not to mention massive number of units sold in North America, huge knowledge base, cross-compatible pickup part and a thriving aftermarket.

So, I've been reading the T4R forums and have decided, since I prefer to drive a manual, I want to get what I've heard described as the "holy grail" of 4Runners, a '99 or '00 SR5 Sport/Highlander manual with a locking rear diff.

As you guys know full well, that is not easy to find. I'd say 15% of the 4Runners I see are Manuals, a small percentage of those are SR5 Sports (I have yet to even see a Highlander) and hardly ANY have the locking rear diff (I've seen no manuals with it and only one auto).

That's only based on what I've read on the forums and a week's worth of searching using Hanks Helper, google, etc. I'm not in a rush but if I wasn't hung up on the ELocker I could have bought one already.

My questions:

Should I not bother waiting to find that locking rear diff and just get one of the manual SR5 sports that I've seen?
How hard will it be to put a locking rear diff in later for someone like me who's not much of a mechanic?
Is there a purely mechanical aftermarket rear diff locking option that can be added later? (I think a cable would be more bullet-proof than air or electrical)
Am I just being a putz since I won't be mudding or rock crawling, I'll probably never actually need a locking rear diff anyway?


I do plan to take it off road when I go tubing, kayaking and biking in the summer and you never know...

Thoughts?

 

[quicksilvr]

Hello forum, this is my first post so please bear with me...

I want to get a 4Runner for various reasons. I'm a Toyo fan since my '76 Corolla. 4Runners have one of the most solid reps for a combination of ergonomics, reliability, road-trip comfort and off-road capability not to mention massive number of units sold in North America, huge knowledge base, cross-compatible pickup part and a thriving aftermarket.

So, I've been reading the T4R forums and have decided, since I prefer to drive a manual, I want to get what I've heard described as the "holy grail" of 4Runners, a '99 or '00 SR5 Sport/Highlander manual with a locking rear diff.

As you guys know full well, that is not easy to find. I'd say 15% of the 4Runners I see are Manuals, a small percentage of those are SR5 Sports (I have yet to even see a Highlander) and hardly ANY have the locking rear diff (I've seen no manuals with it and only one auto).

That's only based on what I've read on the forums and a week's worth of searching using Hanks Helper, google, etc. I'm not in a rush but if I wasn't hung up on the ELocker I could have bought one already.

My questions:

Should I not bother waiting to find that locking rear diff and just get one of the manual SR5 sports that I've seen?
How hard will it be to put a locking rear diff in later for someone like me who's not much of a mechanic?
Is there a purely mechanical aftermarket rear diff locking option that can be added later? (I think a cable would be more bullet-proof than air or electrical)
Am I just being a putz since I won't be mudding or rock crawling, I'll probably never actually need a locking rear diff anyway?


I do plan to take it off road when I go tubing, kayaking and biking in the summer and you never know...

Thoughts?

Nice 4runner to shoot for. If you really don't think you'll use the rear diff lock, then having it is really just kind of a bragging point/feel better about the capability of the truck type thing. I have a feeling I'll rarely use mine, and could probably manage without it. But I have an auto....much easier to find. Good luck!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

So, I've been reading the T4R forums and have decided, since I prefer to drive a manual, I want to get what I've heard described as the "holy grail" of 4Runners, a '99 or '00 SR5 Sport/Highlander manual with a locking rear diff.

As you guys know full well, that is not easy to find. I'd say 15% of the 4Runners I see are Manuals, a small percentage of those are SR5 Sports (I have yet to even see a Highlander) and hardly ANY have the locking rear diff (I've seen no manuals with it and only one auto).

That's only based on what I've read on the forums and a week's worth of searching using Hanks Helper, google, etc. I'm not in a rush but if I wasn't hung up on the ELocker I could have bought one already.

My questions:

Should I not bother waiting to find that locking rear diff and just get one of the manual SR5 sports that I've seen?
How hard will it be to put a locking rear diff in later for someone like me who's not much of a mechanic?
Is there a purely mechanical aftermarket rear diff locking option that can be added later? (I think a cable would be more bullet-proof than air or electrical)
Am I just being a putz since I won't be mudding or rock crawling, I'll probably never actually need a locking rear diff anyway?


I do plan to take it off road when I go tubing, kayaking and biking in the summer and you never know...

Thoughts?

Welcome!

For starters, the Highlander model is only 1999. They only come in black and dark green (Imperial Jade Mica). The 2000 model was changed to the Sport, but the 1999 is favorable due to specific options.

You can imagine that with only one year of availability, the specifically equipped one you want will be very rare.

To help a little bit, the locker can be swapped in later, but they're hard to come by and require modification. In the case of swapping one in, swapping the entire axle would be easier for the lesser experienced.

I would personally hold on a tad longer, but only if you can't find a perfect deal. If in luck you find a great deal, but the locker is out, it may work out getting one swapped in later. All of the wiring would have to be done too. It may cost more in the long run, but you'll get your 4Runner now and you'll get tons of places without a locker. I would aim for at least 4wd and a manual transmission.

The 1999 also has taller springs than all other year 4Runners, such as the 2000 Sport.

 

[SlowYourRoll]

I held out, and it is worth it. There is nothing left to be desired as far as the stock packages go. But I must say, if you come across a clean 4runner with 4 wheel drive, and a manual, and a good price, go for it.

 

[nighthawk]

I held out, and it is worth it. There is nothing left to be desired as far as the stock packages go. But I must say, if you come across a clean 4runner with 4 wheel drive, and a manual, and a good price, go for it.

Lucky you. Highlander editions were not even available in Canada.

 

[brian2sun]

We all wanted a 5-speed '99 highlander at one point, but only about 1 or 2% of the people on this forum actually have one because at some point the rest of us just said screw it and bought a normal 'ol SR5 or Limited 4x4 and have no regrets. We just make them our own versions of a "TRD" or "Sport" or whatever edition, and we love them too. Props to Quicksilvr, SlowYourRoll, and RonMaiden though, all of your runners are tight!

 

[wjamyers]

Welcome!

For starters, the Highlander model is only 1999. They only come in black and dark green (Imperial Jade Mica). The 2000 model was changed to the Sport, but the 1999 is favorable due to specific options.

You can imagine that with only one year of availability, the specifically equipped one you want will be very rare.

To help a little bit, the locker can be swapped in later, but they're hard to come by and require modification. In the case of swapping one in, swapping the entire axle would be easier for the lesser experienced.

I would personally hold on a tad longer, but only if you can't find a perfect deal. If in luck you find a great deal, but the locker is out, it may work out getting one swapped in later. All of the wiring would have to be done too. It may cost more in the long run, but you'll get your 4Runner now and you'll get tons of places without a locker. I would aim for at least 4wd and a manual transmission.

The 1999 also has taller springs than all other year 4Runners, such as the 2000 Sport.

This is great info. Thanks very much.

So can the entire axle swap come from a Tacoma? I thought I heard this.

Do ALL the 99s have taller springs? What does this mean? More suspension travel only? Or more ground clearance too? Is handling on the highway affected at all?

What are the specific options on the 99s that are advantageous and how are so?

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and the great input.

I'm making the search for the 1999 only now. It maybe makes it harder but makes it simpler too. :driving:

Hmmm found this:
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/highlander.html

looks like good info.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Ok,I'll answer a few questions as much as I can.

The 4Runner Highlander moniker (only on paperwork) was used for the '99-00 models and then in '01 (the year Toyota debuted what we know now as a highlander) it became the sport package and then in '02 they came out with an officially badged Sport Edition.

Have to have locker/5 speed or not? If you truly off road more than a few times a year then I'd say hold out for locker and if you can forego a 5 speed it's not like the auto is crap (easier to drive off road) and is fine but you'd eek out maybe a couple more MPGs with the 5 speed.

Not all '99s had the taller coils and it's hit and miss but all the '99 Highlanders should have come with them and most of the '00 Highlanders had them.

'99 was the mid gen upgrades and are detailed on these threads.

Toyota 4Runner History 1999

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/44297-99-mid-gen-upgrades-w-pics.html

Are the upgrades worth passing over a '98 or older? IMO it was a big step up for me (i had a '97 for only a year) but it's good to weigh the options and what you really want. Also weigh the deal since some of the pre '99s can be had for reasonably cheap.

For me I simply wanted a Highlander model and specifically the '99 for the skinny flares and unpainted plastic which deals with 4wheeling scrapes better.
The upgrades like headlamps,auto up and down windows and multi power outlets (4) were just icing on the cake.

I also liked that the '99s were only available in two colors and weren't massed produced which makes them the "real" Limited models unlike the 4th gens which scooped Sport models almost account for every other 4th gen around here. Just not as unique anymore.

3rd gen are just pure sex. hehe:naughty:

 

[redbeard]

I was holding out for the perfect runner, though I stumbled on a single owner low mileage that I couldn't pass up. I guess what I'm saying is keep your options open a little, you can always add things to your 4Runner down the road.

Happy Hunting :cowboy:

 

[wjamyers]

the way i read this:

Toyota 4Runner Highlander Information

The rule is, if it has a hood scoop, its a highlander.

thus, THIS one:

listing:
1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5, $8,990 - Cars.com

pics:
Vehicle Photo: 1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5

is a highlander even though it says SR5.

correct?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yes,an SR5 is still the trim level and the Highlander is the package and the name was only found on the window sticker. Even my insurance card calls it a 4Runner/Sport.

It's a true '99 Highlander if it has the scoop and color keyed bumpers and grill and at the time no other SR5s had the color keyed parts until '00 then you had the color keyed grill and bumpers as an option on the SR5s.

 

[rdgt4r]

You can swap a taco axle i suppose if your good a fab work. You would have to convert the leaf axle to a 4-link coil spring rear to fit the 4runner.

 

[wjamyers]

please excuse my ignorance, but what does "color-keyed" actually mean?

is it matching colors between parts?

do you guys think that listing I posted is a highlander? i believe it is. it's very clean looking, too.

 

[SaanichRunner]

Lucky you. Highlander editions were not even available in Canada.

I went down to the States and picked up a 02 'Sport Edition' (previously called the Highlander until 2001) a couple of weeks ago. I don't think I'll see many on the road since as you say they were not available in Canada.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

please excuse my ignorance, but what does "color-keyed" actually mean?

is it matching colors between parts?

do you guys think that listing I posted is a highlander? i believe it is. it's very clean looking, too.

Yep,that's what color keyed means or you may even see it called monochrome and yes,that truck is a Highlander with the SP package.

 

[nighthawk]

I went down to the States and picked up a 02 'Sport Edition' (previously called the Highlander until 2001) a couple of weeks ago. I don't think I'll see many on the road since as you say they were not available in Canada.

In 2002 for Canada, there was the Badlands edition. That was the first time in Canada that you can get an SR5 with color keyed bumpers. What sucks is that in Canada, you cannot get a color keyed bumper 4Runner in manual because the color keyed was only available in the Limited trim and the first non-Limited to get the color keyed bumper was the Badlands edition in 2002, when Toyota discontinued he manual in the 4Runner already.

 

[wjamyers]

Yep,that's what color keyed means or you may even see it called monochrome and yes,that truck is a Highlander with the SP package.

Thanks a lot all of you. This forum came through when these others didn't.

YotaTech
Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation
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I don't know where else good 4Runner specific info in English can be found but I do know that this place is clearly one of the best.

Good to know.

Now I need to stop myself from running out and buying that dang truck. I gotta at least hold out for green if i'm not gonna hold out for the elocker.

OTOH I could always sell it when the time comes.

:

 

[SaanichRunner]

In 2002 for Canada, there was the Badlands edition. That was the first time in Canada that you can get an SR5 with color keyed bumpers. What sucks is that in Canada, you cannot get a color keyed bumper 4Runner in manual because the color keyed was only available in the Limited trim and the first non-Limited to get the color keyed bumper was the Badlands edition in 2002, when Toyota discontinued he manual in the 4Runner already.

Yes, I am aware of the 'Badlands' edition, and I know it shared the color-keyed bumpers with the US 'Sport Edition', however I am not sure if the Badlands edition had all the features that the US vehicle had, eg. front bumper skid plate, trim specific badging, sport seats with unique gray fabric, leather-wrapped steering wheel cover, metallic-trimmed instrument panel, etc.

Also, I've noticed many, if not all, 01/02 US 4Runners came equipped with a roof rack and factory tow hitch. Many of the Canadian vehicles did not. Those are both attractive options to me and I am glad to have them on my truck.

I'm not interested in a manual trans but I can understand that some people would be.

 

[Duhockey]

I'm not interested in a manual trans but I can understand that some people would be.

There are 4runners with something other than a manual transmission??!?!?!

what else is there?!?! :lmao:

 

[nighthawk]

Yes, I am aware of the 'Badlands' edition, and I know it shared the color-keyed bumpers with the US 'Sport Edition', however I am not sure if the Badlands edition had all the features that the US vehicle had, eg. front bumper skid plate, trim specific badging, sport seats with unique gray fabric, leather-wrapped steering wheel cover, metallic-trimmed instrument panel, etc.

Also, I've noticed many, if not all, 01/02 US 4Runners came equipped with a roof rack and factory tow hitch. Many of the Canadian vehicles did not. Those are both attractive options to me and I am glad to have them on my truck.

I'm not interested in a manual trans but I can understand that some people would be.

Yeah, the Badlands is basically the base model in 2002. If it was available in manual, I would have bought it back in 2002. I was ready to buy but walked out of the dealership after the salesman told me that Toyota discontinued the manual transmission in 2001.