Bought this 96 Limited last year. I have some suspicions about it. Interested to hear what you all think of it.
Thanks

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Looks like a 1996 to me. The only suspicion I have are that those 5-spoke rims weren't available until 1999, but the previous owner could have easily swapped them out.

What does the VIN indicate?

Well you're in the Best position to know, so why don't you use the link below to analyze your vehicle to see what it is in a Fun way - start with 96 and move up, then you can see the added features yr by yr and see where your's lands. Buy yeah as others said, the VIN and the door plate tells it ALL! Enjoy the Runner regardless, right? :Cowboy:

Toyota 4Runner History 1996

Sticker in your Driver Side door Jam will tell you the date of mfg. :-) +1 with Ghost Rider as the VIN tells you too.

Previous owner said it was a 96. I Carfaxed it before I bought it and the vin said it was a 96. There are just a few things that looked off to me. Wheels were one. Also, I haven't seen the combo of Stellar Blue Pearl with Thundercloud cladding and flares with non-painted bumper. Possibly switched out in its previous life? Lol. Thanks for the responses everyone.

Ya that site is awesome for information. I always keep a tab opened on my phone. You are right. It really doesn't matter to me. I was just curious what you experts had to say. Ha. In the short time I've had it it has definitely been put to use.

The door post sticker has the build date and VIN. The emissions sticker under the hood has the model year. People sometimes replace hoods with used ones or new ones with no sticker. Sometimes the VIN/GVWR sticker on the door jam gets peeled off or damaged, or on certain vehicles is on the door and the door gets replaced with new or used. The 10th digit of the VIN tells model year, T is 1996, U is not used, V is 97, W is 98, X is 99, Y is 2000, 1 is 01, 2 is 02 and so on. The 1st digit of your VIN is where it was made. 1 is US, 2 is Canada, 3 is Mexico, I believe 4 and 5 mean North American production. W is Germany, S is England, K is Korea, Y is Sweden and J is Japan. All T4R's are Japanese manufactured. Second digit is the manufacturer. G-GM, T-Toyota, F-Ford, etc.

That's black and gold no? That's what I see looking at that Pic, not sure if the combo was available in 96, but that was a factory combo.

Quick check to see if it's a 96, look underneath the B pillar between the doors. This body mount won't be there on a 96, all other years have them.

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Thanks for all the info. It is a Japanese made 96. I really do appreciate the feedback.

Thanks for the reply, just attached a pic showing the color a little better. Northern California fires will make a blue/purple look black... Also just checked that pillar and nothing there. Again thanks for that information. I know it is a "96" but as JJRunner pointed out, it may have some later parts on it. You guys are cool as hell to look at my runner and give me some feedback.

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Ah OK. Post up a picture of the interior. From the look of it I think that the Limited flares and trim might have been added after the fact.

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Don't make me do that. I'm kind of embarrassed by the interior. When I got it it wasn't that great. I admittedly have not done much better myself. I will try to get a pic after work today. Anything you are looking for in particular?

CHECK the seat belt tag for the year of manufacture

All Limited models came with the same interior. Oak/Tan, power leather seats, leather door panels, woodgrain trim. If your truck has anything but those it might be safe to say it's a lower trim level with the exterior trim added.

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