Looking at a base model, what am I missing by not having the SR5 package

M

mymalade

New member
I think about 99% of the 4runners I see have the SR5 package, but I found a 2000 cylinder that is the base model. It has power windows, cruise control, a/c, and chrome bumpers front and back. The only things I see that are missing are a roof rack, alloy wheels, the rear spoiler, and the badging on the exterior. Are there any other amenities at the SR5 has that this one doesn't? I know there was a page voting around that showed all of the different packages available, but it seems to be dead.

BTW, I am specifically looking for a 4-cylinder manual otherwise I would definitely be getting the SR5.
 
Register to hide this ad
That 2.7l, 5 speed is my favorite combination for 3rd gen 4runner. They are becoming increasingly harder to find.

My '96 2.7l, 5 speed went 358k (with orinall stock clutch) never a problem with good maintenance until claimed by rust. Be very critical of rust.

More accessories more maintenance. Sunroof for example will eventually leak. Also the drains empty into the rocker panels hence rusty rockers. Plus about 1" to 1.5" of headroom lost.

Their great trucks that's why we're here. Figure out your minimum requirements and buy that.

Fwiw... I've also owned a 3.4l, 5 speed. More power than the 2.7l, 5 speed but prefed the drive ability of the later. Tried a 2.7l auto. Nope, sluggish unless your really put your foot into it.

HTH

P.S. The roof rack mounting bolts came on all 3rd gen 4runner. What's on that truck are the cover strips(hard to find). Remove the cover strips and factory rack bolts up.
 
Last edited:
I feel like the manuals have always been hard to find anyway, and now 20 years later it's almost impossible, people want an arm and a leg. The 2000 I'm looking at is in pretty good shape and has the manual of course. Way back when I drove some of the manual 3.4s and I loved how they felt driving. I haven't yet tried one with the 2.7 but I specifically want a two-wheel drive and the only way to get that is with the 4 cylinder.

I would probably never use the roof rack, but I like the look of it so thanks for letting me know about the bolt holes, I was curious about that. I also really like the rear spoiler but apparently you would have to drill if you want to add one.
 
A 2.7l, 2wd, 5 speed Base model is probably the most dependable truck truck you can buy.

The 2wd trucks have stock non greaseable u-joints. So if that hasn't been done just make a note. Most replace with greaseable joints.

@ 300k your going to have to figure out about replacing the timing chain on the 2.7 and whether or not to have the head done, resurfaced, valves lapped and adjusted etc.

The 3.4 has more periodic service interval of the timing belt every 90k.

3 timing belt services (@90k) pretty much equals 1 timing chain service (@300k) for money so that's a wash.

Just be diligent on the rust maintenance and happy hunting.

;-)
 
Last edited:
I have the base model with the 4x4 5 spd. The window sticker is something to behold. Mine has no ABS, no chrome package (I've rectified that), it did come with alloy wheels, cruise control, 4wd, and a roof rack.

The base model never had option for a sunroof. Its the only trim that didn't get ABS standard. Other downgrades is it usually has only 4 speakers instead of 6.

A truly speced down one wont have a lot of basic nice things like heated mirrors, sunglass holders, or keyless entry.

The 4 cylinder engine is a great engine, debatably more reliable than the 5vz. The only 2 things I've had to do (which are common) is replace a cracked exhaust manifold, and adjust my valves. The advantage is that the engine has a timing chain (and so its also an interference engine) that can easily go 200k or more.

You should really do a compression test if there is no record of adjustments being done, burnt valve can occur if the owner fails to adjust the valves, and you essentially have to redo the valves.

The engine is a breeze to work on or around, tons of space to work (especially without abs). The engine revs at 3000 rpm (redline 5500) on the highway, so its not the most pleasant thing to drive on the highway. It also gets disappointingly low MPG, I get 17-18 city and 20-22 mpg highway. And I'm stock so it only goes down from there.

Oh, and the 2wd is even more easy to work on since you don't have the 4wd components in the way if you need to redo the oil pan gasket

[MENTION=148218]JZiggy[/MENTION] also has the 4cyl 4x4
 
Good call on a compression check for new buyer. Valve adjustments are a good thing.

Non abs should have that block on the rear axle drivers side with in and out brake lines. Weight distribution proportioning valve for the rear brakes. People are always curious what that it.

Miss my 2.7l, 2wd, 5 speed, Base. Would bang out 21-23mpg city and 25-27mpg highway like clockwork. Ran 28mpg on a cross-country trip one time. Crazy good gas mileage.

Probably the cheapest most economical easiest to work on vehicle I'll ever own. Never let me down once in 358k. Now she's off to greener pastures in rusty heaven.

Crazy electronic differences between an '96 and an '02. It's gonna be fun.
 
Base models also had black door handle and outside mirrors, regardless of paint color. SR5 models all have color matched handles/mirrors. Base models have the base seats, most SR5s have the upgraded sport seats but occasionally you'll see base seats in a low spec SR5.

3RZ manual 4Runners are great, weren't too common and getting harder to find. I've got one, fun to drive, especially with that third pedal.
 
Last edited:
Base models are great! And it's not too hard to add some of the features that you may care about. On mine I added heated mirrors (that was an adventure since it needed an extra wire in the harness), lighted visors, and SR5 seats. I'm thrilled to not have a sunroof and the lack of ABS has generally been good. I may feel differently if I did a lot of ice, snow, and wet driving, but I'm not sure.
 
I have a 2000 sr5 highlander. the only option it is missing from the other SR-5's ive owned has been the rear window spoiler. I do hope to add one this summer. they do make a difference keeping your back window clean on dusty dirt roads and light dry snow as they channel air down on to them.
 
rglsr said:
Speaking of base models, did you see this one on BAT?, should be interesting.

No Reserve: 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - ending January 19 (Lot #63,775) | Bring a Trailer
Click to expand...

As the editors of BaT were doing their standard editing of the seller's submitted prose, they added a bit too much to the description of that base model, claiming anti-lock brakes: see paragraph 3, and the absence of an ABS pump in the 6th photograph.

If one is truly interested in a stone-axe version of a Gen3, grab a 2000 model, which features a traditional fixed antenna instead of that pesky motor driven thing in the "fancy" 4Runners. See photo 140. '99 base models - we have one - feature the upmarket antenna that the country club set demands.
 
rglsr said:
Base models also had black door handle and outside mirrors, regardless of paint color. SR5 models all have color matched handles/mirrors. Base models have the base seats, most SR5s have the upgraded sport seats but occasionally you'll see base seats in a low spec SR5.

3RZ manual 4Runners are great, weren't too common and getting harder to find. I've got one, fun to drive, especially with that third pedal.
Click to expand...

The mirrors and doors handles I knew about, as I have never seen the color matched on a four-cylinder even with the SR5 package. At first I didn't like the look of the black handles, but it's starting to grow on me. I didn't know about the seats, so thank you.
 
JZiggy said:
Base models are great! And it's not too hard to add some of the features that you may care about. On mine I added heated mirrors (that was an adventure since it needed an extra wire in the harness), lighted visors, and SR5 seats. I'm thrilled to not have a sunroof and the lack of ABS has generally been good. I may feel differently if I did a lot of ice, snow, and wet driving, but I'm not sure.
Click to expand...

I think the only thing I would really like to add would be the spoiler, I just hate the thought of drilling into the tailgate. I'm totally good with the regular seats and the lack of a sunroof. I'm just a bit confused because it has cruise control and power everything which I did not think was available on the base model.
 
mymalade said:
I think the only thing I would really like to add would be the spoiler, I just hate the thought of drilling into the tailgate. I'm totally good with the regular seats and the lack of a sunroof. I'm just a bit confused because it has cruise control and power everything which I did not think was available on the base model.
Click to expand...
Did you read the official Toyota documentation I linked earlier? It's all there. You can find more info on other years (that had slightly different options) on that site too.

-Charlie
 
Most base models were built with the "convenience package" which includes PW, CC, etc. Poverty spec base models with manual windows are fairly rare.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 874 (members: 2, guests: 872)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,089
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top