Going to look at a 1999 5spd 4cyl (4WD of course) today. What major points of interest should I be evaluating other than the obvious? What is prone to wear, leakage, et al?

 

Check the rear axle seals for leakage. If I am not mistaken, one of the only ways to do this is to pull the drums and look for fluid. I will add to this reply if I can think of any other quirks.

 

How many miles? Mine had about 90k when my axle seals went bad but no other issues.......knock on wood. Maybe also hold out for a V6 but then again the 4banger would give you a few more MPGs.
A rear diff lock is a big deal if you do any wheelin'.

 

Look for the RR Diff Locker Button, left of the steering wheel

 

TSB EL-010 Defective Fuel Gauge

 

Did the 4-bangers have a diff lock option?

 

I don't think the 4s did. I love the 4 bangers. I've heard fantastic reliability out of them. I love the old 22RE's and maybe that's why I'm looking there. I don't believe they however did have rear diff locks.

Are these differential tcases or part-time?

As for wheeling, I probably will to some slight degree, but that's what I have my 40 and 80 series' LCs for. I do however want an immediate lift as I can't stand stock-set Toyota's

 

As a 1999 2.7L 5-sp 4WD guy, I've been looking for the answer there, and everything I've heard so far is that the rear diff lock was "technically" availible for the 2.7L, but appearently none were produced. Anybody have any insight into this?

Unless you're towing, or need the thump of the 3.4l to get your blood going in the morning, you'd probably be happy with the 2.7L......everything points to that motor as being just about bullet proof. While there have been times that I've been going uphill, with a kayak on the roof and a head wind I've wished for the 6-cyl, everything I pull up to the gas station and I'm getting around 21-22 MPG, I'm allright with the 4. 99% of the time, it has all the power I really need, and plenty cabable of doing everything I need it too..... and compared to my 120hp 4000lbs '91 Trooper, or the 80hp '74 Land Rover I had before that.....it's a rocket!