3RD Gen 4Runner Door Lock Actuator Motor Replacement/ 4WD IS FIXED!!!

Fixing a weak door lock actuator and finally fixing the 4WD on the 2002 Toyota 4Runner!!
Door Lock Motor: ebay.us/gnviIt
Merch!: avrcustoms.com/
Follow me on Instagram! / austinniemela
4runner Build List:
Front Bumper: avrcustoms.com...
Smittybilt XRC Winch: amzn.to/3BjOCp5
Wheels: ebay.us/bdMZb2
Tires: ebay.us/WDYaPe
Lug Nuts: ebay.us/B11aZw
Front Bilstein 5100: amzn.to/3gEbBDJ
Rear Bilstein 5100: amzn.to/3BmbpRd
Front OME springs: amzn.to/3oE980q
Rear OME springs: amzn.to/3afAIbE
SPC Upper Control Arms: amzn.to/2WKFivo
Diff Drop Kit: amzn.to/2WScrpe
Energy Steering Rack Bushings: amzn.to/3lejvWm
D2S projectors: amzn.to/3afbVom
Panamera switchback shrouds: ebay.us/Aafpuy
Headlight harness: amzn.to/3iEUjXz
Headlight sealant: amzn.to/3ac4PAG
Black side marker lights: ebay.us/ahrUoJ
Tail Lights: ebay.us/14If6u
Grill: ebay.us/RFOLa7
Grill mesh: amzn.to/3mw5rHm
Headunit: amzn.to/3mwVZmW
Deck Plate: amzn.to/3lgSRw1
Right Ball Joint: amzn.to/3AiQzB1
Left Ball Joint: amzn.to/3BjiulE
CV Boots: www.offroadsol...
Camera equipment used in the video!
Sony A7II Camera: amzn.to/2yprn1p
GoPro Hero 8 Black: amzn.to/31avsTg
Tripod: amzn.to/35P7oY5
Send me stuff!
PO Box 133
Chattaroy WA 99003

[@bigospig]

I think a lot of 4Runner owners will be watching this in the years to come.

[@scubbarookie]

I'm glad to be able to see how you rebuild and improve, what is now an over 20 year old ride! The 3rd gens really put new life into the legend of the 4runners.

[@garyrains1540]

Glad I ran across this video on how to just replace the door lock motor, it saving me roughly $270 on purchasing four actuators for my 2001 3rd Gen 4 Runner

[@austinniemela]

Perfect!!!

[@glentweedie602]

Hi Austin, I'm a farmer in South Africa & also love building & fiddling cos I figure that if I send it to the dealer then I'm creating lazy time & high costs for myself. I really enjoy the no-nonsense, practical, common sense approach you have. It's what usually gets the job done properly. Well done

[@sethrussell5649]

Glad you figured it out plus free fix! Thanks for being so thorough. This video is going to help a lot of toyota folks

[@farkookneebah]

genius as usual...

[@pierrenourry1308]

Perseverance is your best freind, keep on going your the best. This the real deal, love the details! By the way i'm from France, your knowledge crosses over sea.

[@austinniemela]

I appreciate that!

[@4runner4life7]

Wow I'm glad I don't have 4wd! In my case, there's less stuff to break since I got 2wd. I also have a 2002 4runner. It's silver with the limited trim. love these trucks! So far I've done the alternator, shifter bushings, coolant flush, LED headlights/ interior lights, new carpet, rear diff fluid, PCV valve, and oxygen sensors. Gonna need valve cover gaskets, battery, brakes, and some new shocks pretty soon though. I know it sounds like a lot but these trucks are old, but they deserve it IMO. Thanks for the vids!

[@Matt-oe6ul]

Just seen this video now…you are my new favorite KZbin channel….you have the BEST Toyota videos HANDS DOWN….thanks a million bro

[@x1brandonx11]

Keep these 4 runner videos coming their awesome !😄 what ever work you do to it keep posting

[@user-gs5wo4zt8q]

I just fixed mine! Thanks for all the 4Runner videos!

[@williamsmith8437]

I would have thrown at minimum 6 ratchets in the woods trying to troubleshoot that 4wd. Well done! As usual, great video.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks 👍

[@JJ78n]

My black 99 4Runner door locks won’t work after sitting in the sun in summer time. I bought these motors 3 years ago and never replaced them. Now I see your video and it makes me want to finally change them. My other 2000 4Runner was getting grumpy going in and out of 4x4 since I don’t use it very often. I started going in and out of 4x4 a bunch of times and now it works perfectly.

[@hectorgarcia8916]

very helpful video, thanks Austin

[@jundialhaqiqa9907]

I don't own a 4Runner but this is just general good info.

[@ryansardjoemissier5430]

Put some thread teflon tape on that sensor. And yes the rod is maybe damaged. But man the diagnoses. What work!!

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Used to be when you needed washers, o-rings, that kind of stuff, your local Napa store was THE place to check.

[@dannymcpherson2792]

Would love to see a 2nd gen 4runner build. Love the pickups tho!

[@bubbafringman1864]

Me too. I'm thinking about doing a second gen 4runner restore

[@Henray316]

That's that worst year. Notice so many of them are dead with the 3.0 sorry to say.

[@bubbafringman1864]

@@Henray316 with the 3.4 swap of course. The 3 gen 4runner is still stupid expensive with over 200k miles.

[@dannymcpherson2792]

@@Henray316 he would definitely swap the motor either way

[@christopherarnold9672]

@@bubbafringman1864 imma bout to get one tomorrow with fresh 3.4 with receipts for 3k

[@scottygrooms]

Thanks for info brother, good stuff

[@TheHamdissage]

Love these old 'yotas

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Thanks for the SUB! it's good to know the 01-02 actuators aren't any different from the 96-00 models as suggested by Toyota if buying new door lock assemblies.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks!! Yes makes for a very cheap fix!!

[@TimmyTheToolman]

@@austinniemela Yeah, we know about this affordable fix. We shot our own video on fixing the door actuators by just replacing the motor in August of last year.

[@mikesteele8384]

Glad u found the 4wd issues

[@amanbhowal6315]

New to the channel and loving it so far

[@Sl0thTeam6]

Very awesome video man! One recommendation I would have is to test the lock actuator before putting the door all the way back together. Maybe you did

[@ttinnovations3310]

YES..... !!!!!!!!!!!!!! $10 fix, save the planet too

[@CB-hr6zs]

Very methodical, awesome stuff bro keep the videos coming.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks!

[@jcl1201]

Remember the days if you wanted fwd you reached down and shifted your transfer case into fwd

[@Quebecer_Powerstroke]

Congrats for the 40k subs Austin ! Now let’s hit 100k+ this years :)

[@austinniemela]

Thank you!! Let’s go!!!

[@philgriswold2133]

Someone may have already said this, but the small nipple on the TC actuator is for you vent hose to allow condensation to evaporate from inside this unit. Somewhere dangling is a black, rubber hose that is probably split at the end. You need to trim it off and re-attach to the nipple. If you don't the next time you go into water, it will fill up again. I fought the same fight against a 2002 Sequoia 4wd system. It shouldn't be this hard.

[@nathankoroush7918]

Manual locks sure are nice.

[@AR-ji4ih]

Again great work, very helpful video!!

[@vah-mingmoua9599]

Nicely done.

[@125sm3]

Great fix.

[@raidmax1098]

not an easy fault to find great job

[@gionandrivenditto8618]

Este modelo tiene bloqueadores en las 4 ruedas al mismo tiempo.

[@elimogenson3316]

My runner has two power locks that don’t work. Front passenger side and rear driver’s side. I hear the actuators moving inside the doors just like on the two doors that do work, but the plungers don’t move. Think it could be a broken or disconnected rod?

[@AndyWaddell-hz1es]

Hi Austin- great video! I just inherited my moms 1998 4runner, and the drivers side lock motor is almost gone. I tried your link but apparently its moved/broken on their end. Do you have the part number for the motor so I can search for it?

[@yomeme2490]

Nice work. Show some old Toyota cars rebuild process as well like cars of 1980s ke 70 model

[@maddy6764]

What were the locks doing before you changed the actuator motors?

[@soccernick131]

No shout out? Left a comment saying to take that washer off on your video 3 weeks ago. Glad you fixed it.

[@RonaldCiubuc]

Dude, guru!

[@davekeehn8388]

How do you get the second bolt off on the rear door handle?

[@diyjeff1838]

Nice work!!

[@ginovitali9991]

So I’ve got a 97 sr5. Mine was clicking and I swore it was the abs sensor on the passenger side kick panel. Replaced it and the clicking was still there. Then found out on that same side there is a 4wd relay that if unplugged it will not click any more. The front diff would seem to try and engage while driving without even putting it in 4wd. I still can’t figure out wtf is going on. I just leave that relay unplugged until I need to put it into 4wd then plug it in and it does not click while in 4wd. Only in 2wd does it click and try to engage the front differential. Any idea on what I’ve got going on?

[@austinniemela]

Sounds like a wiring issue!

[@levimonsen1006]

You made that lock replacement look easy haha. I would rather do anything than replace that motor, it's too tight, and too many small plastic clips that can break. Awesome job. Did you watch Timmy the Toolman's video on it?

[@austinniemela]

I did! What a great help!

[@joshuakim5905]

NICE!!!! At least u can easily remove ur actuator without dropping the tcase. The 4th gen has a known issue of a leaky actuator due to a crappy designed O-ring. My 4th gen does it. :( You have to drop the tcase to properly replace the o-ring. You can buy a generic o-ring for a few bucks. Toyota won't replace the O-ring. They will charge you $2000 to replace the whole actuator + labor. :(

[@curtisoedekoven6211]

Ok time to pull the running boards off. And put some rock sliders on.😁

[@Ohiocountryboy-se2cn]

Only time you need to go into neutral is when putting into 4 wheel low. Other then that you can while moving. Not sure if you knew or not.

[@GSekong]

so sometimes my doors wont lock, but i hear the motor try to lock em. Will this fix it?

[@417CAR]

Crushing...as usual

[@michaellindon5688]

Great

[@stevewhyte8476]

just a thought; do you think easy-off would help it ?

[@9gradegarage20]

Great video man!

[@austinniemela]

Thank you!

[@Henray316]

Good job I would've gave up. Notice that you're using Harbor freight Jack stands. Make sure these are not the recall ones

[@jorgegonzalezmoya5326]

Excelente proyecto amigo me gustaría conseguir un auto de esos .me puedes ayudar? Por favor Gracias 😎👊👍

[@yomeme2490]

M loving ur videos 👍

[@joshlynnhumbert6036]

You should build a T 💯

[@UteTrac]

Just an observation you’re doing no load tests in my experience some things work differently when they’re under load

[@limitzone4074]

Have same issues with my doors but lazy 😁

[@johnpyle8027]

Do you have a problem with your US General tool boxes being stiff to start to open?

[@austinniemela]

No i havent noticed that!

[@robflight23]

I went to yota masters and what they found was a bad neutral sensor

[@robflight23]

They fixed my 4wd by changing my neutral sensor****

[@Jay-fq8uz]

Where is the neutral sensor and how much did that cost

[@alfredonski]

that Dewalt light will never point in the direction you want it.

[@awhipps]

I prefer the cinnamon Zyn. Have you thought about engine swapping your daughter’s little pink jeep-thing?

[@austinniemela]

Haha I should swap it

[@Mendozabmx]

Man i just love your videos! So much info!! & quick question if u see this comment! So i finally picked up a 94 toyota pick up but i need some interior items where should i about finding them , Facebook or ebay? Or anyone parting out a toyota lmk!!

[@justinbatchelor2418]

For interior peaces, you will have to check facebook,ebay Craigslist all of these places constantly. When you come across what you need you have to jump on it with the quickness! 89-95 years will all fit. I have a 94 and been looking for the 2 peace bezel that goes around my steering column for a year now. Good luck.

[@Mendozabmx]

@@justinbatchelor2418 Ayee thanks man! & good luck

[@austinniemela]

Junk yards, ebay is usually overpriced!

[@JeffGoDawgs]

Hey Austin do you sell merchandise like the hat you have on ?

[@austinniemela]

I sure do! www.avrcustoms.com

[@geraldwest3428]

Keep rocking man loving these videos!

[@eleazarhernandez9742]

How much you want?

[@garywood8342]

Holy $h!t u got new work pants lol

[@austinniemela]

Those are good day pants lol

[@glentweedie602]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hclan5876]

Damn man I need to pick your brain Your always thinking of how to fix things

[@joecantrell7489]

Never heard of high 4 lock? I have heard of 4 high and 4 low.

[@lukethompson5885]

4 high would have an open diff in the transfer case so you could drive on the road in bad conditions without the drive line binding, then high locked locks the transfer case giving you a 50/50 split between the front and rear driveshafts, and 4 low is also locked. If you just have 4 high and 4 low there is no need to say “locked” because there is no need to differentiate between the two 4 highs.

[@adamhetherington839]

Still pulling apart your bikes Austin? Or done with that now?

[@austinniemela]

I’m done with bikes!

[@tradeMark182]

I am Here.

[@alexburton5136]

What does the 4Runner get on gas?

[@austinniemela]

Im not sure i havent checked it yet!

[@stevewhyte8476]

@@alexburton5136 he's not gonna go fat !!

[@natvMan]

I was getting around 20 mpg in my 98 before I sold it.

[@austinniemela]

@@natvMan not bad!!

[@TheKajunkat]

4X4 with manuals usually get 18 to 22 mpg. Automatics were 14 to 18 mostly. Probably their biggest weakness was the mileage.

[@AustinLWright]

Too bad the transfer case isn’t manual.

[@joshlynnhumbert6036]

Put a Lexus V8 in it and straight axle

[@bubbafringman1864]

The 4.7 litre?

[@hjvisagie]

4 wheel drive LOW, not Locked. Sorry Austin had to point it out.

[@austinniemela]

4runner has 2wd, 4 HI, 4 LOCKED and 4 LO. 4 Locked is the transfercase locking

[@hjvisagie]

@@austinniemela sorry for my ignorance then, the ones sold over here only has 2H 4H and 4Low. But I guess that’s because it has mechanical locking and not all that electronic stuff.

[@Henray316]

4 locked means the transfer case lock powers to 50/50 front and rear. Unlock is 30 /70

[@DavidMadeira29]

"Things may be changed, for worse..."