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

[JohnsD90]

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

what else is there?!?! :lmao:

Gay is the other available transmission. I hear it has some feature in which people just put it in Drive and it goes, its for the people who aren't coordinated to press a pedal and move a level at the same time.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I like an auto since I can text and drive easier. :banana:

 

[brian2sun]

Gay is the other available transmission. I hear it has some feature in which people just put it in Drive and it goes, its for the people who aren't coordinated to press a pedal and move a level at the same time.

haha. Wait, I thought the gay option was for people who ignore the last 80 years of technological advances and still think they have to manually move a lever and work a foot pedal to make the car go. haha :trophy:

 

[nighthawk]

Well, I've been driving manual all my life and now I have a 2009 Rav4. I positively hate it. It changes gears when I'm not expecting it and sometimes I want it to upshift and it'll hold the gear instead. It's really annoying. I prefer the good old fashioned manual and will never buy another automatic again. Mind you, by the time I'm ready to get another vehicle, there may be nothing left that I like cause all the SUV's are going to automatic only and most of the ones that still offer manual only offer it on the 2WD base models. It's almost like they put a manual transmission model out there that no one would want to buy and then say that no one wants to buy manual so we'll discontinue it. If I wanted a 2WD vehicle, it wouldn't be an SUV but most auto manufacturers in Canada force me to buy an automatic if I want 4WD. I predict that when it's time to look for a new vehicle, it'll be a used 3rd gen 4Runner or Hilux Surf. There just isn't anything out there that I like. The only thing I'm hoping is that when they redo the Tacoma, they might go back to the manual transfer case lever. Then I might consider the Tacoma. Of course, it would be sweet if they decide to add the manual tranny back to the 4Runner line up, but I highly doubt that would happen.

 

[wjamyers]

I enjoy driving manual.

The wife and I have two cars, both manuals. 02 Subaru WRX (bugeye) and a 2006 Mitsu Lancer Evolution (last of the IXs). Both 5 speed. This year in the snow with my snow tires and the ACD set on the snow setting, I feel that I finally learned how to drive the Evo in the snow but ground clearance was wanting not to mention somewhere to chuck two people's gear.

That's why I had to get the 4 runner. I've test driven two 5-speeds so far and they are so easy to drive I'm certain even if I commute it into the city I will not be wishing I had an auto. just a little gas, release that clutch and then inch forward at idle.

I'm really looking forward to joining the club and doing what little mods a 99 highlander will require.

 

[Fireball]

Sounds like you've got it figured out. I would second what others have said and recommend you not overlook an otherwise prime example just because it is lacking the locking rear diff.

Sure, it would be a nice option to have, but realistically you aren't going to use it very much at all unless you're doing serious off-roading. And if you do want it, it can be swapped in (albiet at a fairly high cost).

I knew I wanted a 99 Highlander, had my heart set on one with a locking diff, was passively looking for at least a year, but when I came across one in such awesome condition with low miles I couldn't pass it by.

 

[brian2sun]

I actually like sticks better too, but back when I bought mine, I could not find one for months so I just got an auto and now I appreciate not having to shift in traffic and all that. I kinda like the "golf cart" effect for off roading too. If I had a choice, I would still pick a stick just cuz they are cool and fun to drive, but oh well, autos aren't that bad.

 

[JohnsD90]

Well, I've been driving manual all my life and now I have a 2009 Rav4. I positively hate it. It changes gears when I'm not expecting it and sometimes I want it to upshift and it'll hold the gear instead. It's really annoying. I prefer the good old fashioned manual and will never buy another automatic again. Mind you, by the time I'm ready to get another vehicle, there may be nothing left that I like cause all the SUV's are going to automatic only and most of the ones that still offer manual only offer it on the 2WD base models. It's almost like they put a manual transmission model out there that no one would want to buy and then say that no one wants to buy manual so we'll discontinue it. If I wanted a 2WD vehicle, it wouldn't be an SUV but most auto manufacturers in Canada force me to buy an automatic if I want 4WD. I predict that when it's time to look for a new vehicle, it'll be a used 3rd gen 4Runner or Hilux Surf. There just isn't anything out there that I like. The only thing I'm hoping is that when they redo the Tacoma, they might go back to the manual transfer case lever. Then I might consider the Tacoma. Of course, it would be sweet if they decide to add the manual tranny back to the 4Runner line up, but I highly doubt that would happen.

I know of an SUV that had 1 year of offering an automatic transmission and a mere 2k of them were made out of 60+ years of it being made. And the No MT's is just basically in north america, europe and the rest of the world the last i checked, is dominated by Manuals, and most teens there actually know how to press a clutch and move a lever. I do feel there is a time and place for an auto and that is in a luxury SUV, city vehicles, and city trucks.

 

[brian2sun]

I think when my tranny finally goes someday, I might do a manual swap. I haven't read much about it, but I do recall reading that the ECU would have to be swapped too. And then there's installing a clutch pedal... Either that or I'll just buy a 5spd Highlander and start over. haha

 

[SaanichRunner]

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.

I find it interesting that a 'base model' would incorporate a hood scoop. To me, a hood scoop is an extra that probably a lot of people would not want (although I like it). I would have expected a base model to be a real 'no frills' unit.

Regarding manual transmissions, for most vehicles I prefer the manual, especially in the muscle cars and sports cars etc. In fact I wouldn't even consider purchasing one of those vehicles with an auto, but in a truck, I like an auto, especially when it comes to towing and backing a boat up and down a ramp (which I will be doing with my truck).

 

[SkidPalace]

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.

My 2000 4Runner Highlander begs to differ with your statement.

 

[nighthawk]

I find it interesting that a 'base model' would incorporate a hood scoop. To me, a hood scoop is an extra that probably a lot of people would not want (although I like it). I would have expected a base model to be a real 'no frills' unit.

I know...it's weird. I have the pdf of the brochure, but it's too big to attach though unless someone knows a way to attach a 700kb file.

 

[SaanichRunner]

My 2000 4Runner Highlander begs to differ with your statement.

Does anyone know if a copy of the window sticker for a specific truck can be obtained from somewhere? This service is available for some Automotive brands, like Pontiac for example. Thanks.

 

[theizzardking]

Does anyone know if a copy of the window sticker for a specific truck can be obtained from somewhere? This service is available for some Automotive brands, like Pontiac for example. Thanks.

just ask for a print out of your build list from your local dealer, give them the vin and they give you a print out of every little thing that it came from the factory with.

 

[theizzardking]

and looking at that sticker above it's an early production run for that year so it could be very well that you both are right that higlanders, became sports in that year if you look at the build sheet it say's sport package as well, this happens all of the time in the manufacturing of cars and trucks as the retooling of the factories and all of the 1000's of things that happen from year to year or varying trim levels. think about if from a mass production scale.