if anyone could tell me what SR5 is exactly. I get the feeling it's a more upscale package able to be added on to the 4runner, but then again, looking at my brothers truck, it was an SR5 and it was not upscale at all 2wd, stick, manual everything(truck) and I'm looking at buying a 4runner that has no carpet, no stripes, vinyl upholstry, black plain wheels, it doesn't even have a trip meter or tachometer and in the picture, it says SR5 on the tailgate. I know I'm full of questions, but I'm trying to get into the 4Runner brotherhood, and am quite new at this. Thank you to all those who have answered my questions thusfar.

What year? I am assuming pre- '03.

There are 3 classes of 4Runners: SR5, Sports Edition, and Limited Edition. They also just added an Urban Runner but that is like a sports edition with some more options.
SR5 is just a "tier" of 4Runner you can get it in 2wd or 4wd or in a V6 or V8. standard with cloth interior, but you can have your dealer install leather and I'm not sure how much that costs
The Sports Edition has a hood scoop some bigger breaks and something called X-Reas suspension which I do not know very much about. Cloth interior is standard in the Sports Edition as well. You can get it in 2wd or 4wd , V6 or V8 as well
The Limited Edition is the top of the line 4Runner I believe that leather is standard you can get an optional navigation system as well. You can also get that in 2wd or 4wd, V6 or V8. You can get X-Reas suspension but it is not standard

I hope this helps you out, and if you have any other questions feel free to post them.

Edit: All of this information pertains to the 4th Gen. 4Runner.