My 4th gen V8 has a 2H option on selector.

Everything I have read says that the 4th gen V8 4Runners are full time AWD with only 4H and 4L on the selector plus a different lock. I have a 2H option. Again, it's a V8. 2003 model. What gives?

 

Either it’s a V6 (maybe upbadged? Engine swap?) or the dial got switched at some point. I can’t find a trace of a 4WD V8 with the option to shift into 2H.

All 4WD 4th gen’s will have the center locker button though.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-toyota-4runner-31/

(A 2003 4WD V8 SR5 for reference above and it’s just H4 or L4)

 

Definitely a V8. Just did the timing belt.
I went out and played with the switch. I'm starting to think that somebody swapped the switch out of a V6 model. When I switch it to 4H, the 4L lamp starts flashing and beeping, switching to 4L actually puts it into 4L. Back to 4H, does not disengage 4L, but it starts flashing and beeping again for 4L. Putting in 2H puts it back to normal.
Got the vehicle cheap from kind of a tweaker. Who knows what they did. I've been replacing lots of parts.

 

That makes sense to me, guess you’ll have to switch the dial to be “proper” but that’s assuming nothing else was done to it.

 

Dang. That's a nice one that you sent the link to.
Thanks for the replies.

 

A way to tell if any 4th Gen is 4WD is if the 4th VIN character is a B.