Difference between electronic selector and lever for transfer case?

Hi Everyone,

Searching for a decent 4Runner that's not been abused for my daughter. Ideally, we'd like a 2007-2012 model with less than 100k miles, and close to $16k in price. Clearly we may need to go higher if it's a 2010-2012 model, but can't go over $19-20k. Let me know if you know of the such a rig for sale.

Also, why do some of the 5th gen 4runners have an electronic selector knob for the transfer case, and some have levers? Are there other differences besides just a knob or lever?

BTW, owned an FZJ80 for years, as well as a Sequoia, and recently sold my daughter in law's 95 4Runner.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum Garth.

 

Mostly for the visceral experience of pulling the lever, but both work the same. The switch is an actuator, so it's less reliable, but I've never known one to fail.

So really preference, I have the lever and like the "grip it and rip it" feel.

 

Welcome

 

The switch option is mostly found in your sr5 and I believe limited. Everything else gets the knob. The benefit with the knob over the turn switch is no add actuator to mess with and have fail. They can fail and even have an extra one in my garage from my Tacoma. The problem is the actuator housing is made of plastic and most often the failure will come from water getting into the housing causing a short in the module or corroding.

 

FYI, the 2010 - 2012 SR5 would have the manual shifter, in 2013 they came out with the knob on the SR5. The Limiteds will have the knob as well. The Trail editions and TRD Off-Road and Pro will all have the manual shifter, from 2010 to present.

The Limited has a different transfer case, because it has a full-time 4 wheel drive mode, but the transfer case in all the other models is the same, whether it has the knob or shifter.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin Garth! Had the switch, and now have the lever.... like the lever better, it's a more positive shift, the switch can hesitate, sometimes at a non-opportune time.

 

Welcome from Arizona!