what year(s) models offered AWD and 4WD

Have there been 4runners that had the option of both AWD/4WD on the same vehicle, in other words you could be in AWD then as needed switch to 4h or 4L?
thanks

 

I speak only for 3rd Gen

In 1999 and 2000, a Multimode transfer case was available on 4x4 Limited models.

J shift was standard on 4Runners, and push button was optional until the Limited.

Multimode was optional, and worked similar to both above in that -

Pushing the 4WD button, allowed the front and rear drive shafts to spin separately and run as "awd"

However, with the button pressed and moving the lever downward, resulted in the center to lock and run like 4H

Moving the lever over to the side and up, like a J shift, meant now you were in 4L

 

All 4th gen 4Runners (2003 to 2008, think they dropped the V8 in 2009?) with the V8 were fulltime AWD. When you engaged the center diff lock, they were then 4WD.

 

Interesting, never knew that.

But now that you mention it, it's the same as 2001 and 2002 models.

They had a switch that locked the center, otherwise while in 4H you were really in AWD.

What's funny is, a lot of people posting up their 01-02 4Runners falsely list them as having a rear locker when really its the center diff lock.

There are few exceptions to this such as having an 01-02 and having an e locker added (axle housing swapped). 2001 through 2002 models were not available from the factory with an e locker.

 

3rd Gen 01-02 had a T2 (parallel gear) center diff.

4th Gen have T3 (planetary type) center diff.

Same as Audi AWD vehicles.

The V6 4th Gen allows you to select 2WD still, as well as AWD and 4WD. The V8 models do not have selectable 2WD. They are AWD all of the time with 4x4 selectable.

I believe the 5th Gen Limited or certain models have the same T3 and other models do not, don’t know, don’t care, they’re too big to be any fun.

cheers.

 

I seem to remember that my '01 had a 2wd position. The "button" on the side of the t-case shifter engaged "AWD" then the button on the dash locked the center diff, giving it "4H". It was still a Multi-mode transfer case, the human interface was a bit different then the '99 Limited that I now have. I intentionally sold the '01 to have the '99 w/ the e-locker.