2008 SE, Why does it have Running Boards instead of Tube Steps?

[webby]

I'm shopping for a 2008 or 2009 Sport Edition 4WD V8. I found this one online that a dealer has, and have been studying the pics. This doesn't look right to me. Correct me if I'm wrong here, I thought that all 2008-09 SE's should have tube steps from the factory? But as you can see in the pic, this one has running boards.

It's a one owner, off lease vehicle, so considering that it was a lease vehicle, I would find it very odd if the previous owner had removed the OEM tube steps and put SR5 or Limited running boards on it. Everything else that I can see in the various pics looks correct -- hood scoop, tube-type roof rack, SE wheels, the black cloth interior that all SE's had, etc.

My question is, if it is a true SE of that vintage, wouldn't it have come with the OEM tube steps?

 

[vtecmonster]

that 4R looks really familiar ... in fact, that pic in generall looks real familiar. Would this dealership you came across happen to be in Washington state??

 

[d2huffman]

The wheels and rack are definitly SE and assuming it has XREA and scoop plus bigger breaks, probably got changed out by dealer.

 

[webby]

The wheels and rack are definitly SE and assuming it has XREA and scoop plus bigger breaks, probably got changed out by dealer.

Two questions:
In the interior, is their any indication that a runner has XREAS?
Any why would the new car dealer remove the tube steps and replace them with running boards?

 

[darkie3495]

Two questions:
In the interior, is their any indication that a runner has XREAS?
Any why would the new car dealer remove the tube steps and replace them with running boards?

Nothing in the interior will indicate xreas. You have to take a look at the shocks for the rubber tube coming out of it and a canister along the frame rail.

Dealer may have not done it. The previous owner may have swapped the steps before turning it in and the dealer didn't notice

 

[vtecmonster]

could be a regional thing too ... reason i asked if you found this rig in WA st. is because i came across a couple SE's myself that had those boards instead of tubes ... both rigs were originally from the Vegas area and ended up in the PNW according to carfax.

 

[morphius909]

Might be a Canadian Rig.

I've never seen a 4runner up here with Tubes. Always Runner.

 

[H1_VLTG]

Does the runner have the third row seating? It was not an option on the SE model.

 

[webby]

Might be a Canadian Rig.

I've never seen a 4runner up here with Tubes. Always Runner.

No, I checked Carfax, it's definitely US origin.

 

[ryanbt]

It appears to have the sport/limited rear hatch color-keyed garnish around the lift gate button (where the emblem is) vs the SR5's chrome. The sport also had a different gear shifter which I believe is silver and black vs. all black. Also the dash plastic components around the stereo and climate controls in a sport should be a darker gray instead of the silver in the SR5.

 

[webby]

Does the runner have the third row seating? It was not an option on the SE model.

No, it doesn't have third row seating. Everything else I can see in the pics and the options make it appear to be a legit OEM Sport Edition, except it has the running boards instead of the correct tube steps. I live too far away, or I would go to the dealership and crawl under the 4Runner and see if it has XREAS, and to also pull a wheel and see if it has the larger 13.3" brakes that came on the SE (as opposed to the 12.6" brakes on the SR5).

 

[webby]

could be a regional thing too ... reason i asked if you found this rig in WA st. is because i came across a couple SE's myself that had those boards instead of tubes ... both rigs were originally from the Vegas area and ended up in the PNW according to carfax.

That's interesting. Do you have a theory as to who might have removed the tubes on the two runners you know about? And why?

Perhaps the same original Toyota dealer in LV removed them from both vehicles when new? But if so, why?

 

[H1_VLTG]

No, it doesn't have third row seating. Everything else I can see in the pics and the options make it appear to be a legit OEM Sport Edition, except it has the running boards instead of the correct tube steps. I live too far away, or I would go to the dealership and crawl under the 4Runner and see if it has XREAS, and to also pull a wheel and see if it has the larger 13.3" brakes that came on the SE (as opposed to the 12.6" brakes on the SR5).

See if the dealer can give you a pic of the inside showing the seats...I am almost positive the seats in SE were only offered if one color option. Also ask the dealer if it has the XREAS...that is the only thing I can think of. Unless someone close by could go check it out for you.

 

[webby]

It appears to have the sport/limited rear hatch color-keyed garnish around the lift gate button (where the emblem is) vs the SR5's chrome. The sport also had a different gear shifter which I believe is silver and black vs. all black. Also the dash plastic components around the stereo and climate controls in a sport should be a darker gray instead of the silver in the SR5.

Yes, it has the correct body-colored lift-gate handle, as opposed to chrome for the SR5. And the door handles are body-colored, as they should be on the SE, as opposed to chrome on the SR5. I have seen pics of the interior, and the gear shifter is silver and black, whereas my 2009 SR5 is black leather covered.

Re the plastic components around the stereo and climate controls, they are charcoal. But in my 2009 SR5, they are also charcoal, not silver.

See if the dealer can give you a pic of the inside showing the seats...I am almost positive the seats in SE were only offered if one color option. Also ask the dealer if it has the XREAS...that is the only thing I can think of. Unless someone close by could go check it out for you.

I have seen pics of the interior, and it is the correct mostly black cloth, which is the only color interior I have seen in any SE.

 

[H1_VLTG]

It sounds as if only the running boards were swapped. Everything else points to a SE.

...also, SE comes with heated Side View Mirrors. But you would need someone to physically confirm this.

 

[webby]

It sounds as if only the running boards were swapped. Everything else points to a SE.

...also, SE comes with heated Side View Mirrors. But you would need someone to physically confirm this.

How are the heating elements in the Side Mirrors activated? Is there a switch in the interior, or is it a temperature-activated switch?

 

[H1_VLTG]

How are the heating elements in the Side Mirrors activated? Is there a switch in the interior, or is it a temperature-activated switch?

They heat up when the rear defrost switch is turned on.

 

[sonjason]

A guy where I work here in NC drives one identical to this (Salsa Red Sport with SR5/Limited running boards). I always wondered why, but never asked. I will ask him and see if he bought new or used and see if I can get any info...

 

[thirstyturtle]

I think someone just switched out the tubes with the step. That being said, I have a 2006 sport that I'd like to trade the tubes for the running boards. If you're anywhere near NC and end up buying that one, I'll trade ya!

 

[RickC]

They heat up when the rear defrost switch is turned on.

Learn something about these every day. I did not know this!