I'm thinking of buying a 1997 4Runner Limited. However I noticed on the back where the model mark is that it has the word "Limited" above the symbol "SR5". After investigating other sites I noticed other things like Limited has standard leather seats and this one had cloth. The steering wheel is leather but doesn't have the Toyota emblem. Its the Blue color which they said does not come in the Limited edition. And there should be wheel guards. It has the moon roof and other things that indicate Limited. I'm guessing someone modified an SR5 to look like a Limited and stuck the sign on the back. Is that possible? Can a 4Runner be modified like that? Has there ever been such a thing as a Limited SR5? I'm worried its been patched together and maybe even some of the critical components or mechanics have been modified too. Can anyone help me figure out what might be going on? Thanks
Anyone heard of a 1997 4Runner Limited/SR5?
- Thread starter jeeans
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Yeah, it's very easy to do. My friend's SR5 V6 looks exactly like a Limited to the untrained eye, but the running boards on the Limited are different than the option SR5 ones too. It is however very easy to just buy a Limited badge and put it on. Also, the Limiteds have 'Limited' on each side of the car on the pillar behind the rear doors and all Limiteds have leather.
brian2sun
Elite Member
Someone stuck a Limited emblem on the outside. A '97 Limited will have push button 4WD (not to be confused with the later '99+ AWD/center diff lock t-cases). The '97 Limited's t-cases did not have the center diff lock, but they weren't the standard j-shifter like the '97 SR5 models either, they were kind of in-between. Look for a button on the 4WD shifter and that will absolve any doubt.
4RunnerDNA
New member
As mentioned, there is no Limited SR5. Many people add emblems, some even add Hilux Surf to a 4Runner. The give aways are the leather seats, side cladding and fender flares, and if a 4WD you have a Hi-4 selector switch. A dead give away is if it is stick or auto. You are also correct that the blue was not available on the Limited
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
My 4Runner is a base model and after much modification, since it practically was an SR5 minus the engine, I have an SR5 badge.
Check out this link, it shows my car when i got it until the way it is now. It shows that a 4Runner can be easily modified to impersonate another, yet the one you're looking at seems to be poorly done.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/17585-3rd-gen-t4r-picture-gallery-40.html#post492399
Notice the gradual change until it's practically identical to the SR5 model.
Check out this link, it shows my car when i got it until the way it is now. It shows that a 4Runner can be easily modified to impersonate another, yet the one you're looking at seems to be poorly done.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/17585-3rd-gen-t4r-picture-gallery-40.html#post492399
Notice the gradual change until it's practically identical to the SR5 model.
drinknmolson
New member
97 sr5
My 97 SR5 has sunroof, roof rack, power windows and such, came with running boards fender flares and trailer hitch, but no locker and no leather. it's not a limited without leather. oh and mine is a 5 spd manual.
My 97 SR5 has sunroof, roof rack, power windows and such, came with running boards fender flares and trailer hitch, but no locker and no leather. it's not a limited without leather. oh and mine is a 5 spd manual.
MDTrailrider
New member
It sounds to me like the seller is trying to claim an SR5 he is trying to sell is a Limited. You might want to find a vehicle from a more trustworthy seller. Who knows what else he is hiding about the vehicle.
MDTrailrider
New member
I just looked at the 1998 sales brochure I have from when I bought my SR5 to confirm what I recall. In 98 the Limited came with the following that was either an option on the SR5 or not available:
automatic transmission
* 16" aluminum wheels, P265/70R16 tires and 13" front disk brakes
color keyed fender flairs, door cladding and running boards
* defroster linked air conditioning
* cruise control
* rear tonneau cover
* carpeted floor mats (although I think the Limited mats had a Limited Logo on them that mine does not have)
wood grain interior trim
leather seats, steering wheel, shift lever and door trim (The SR5 came with leather wrap steering wheel and shift lever)
power sport seats
* power windows, door locks, antenna and outside mirrors
* illuminated passenger visor vanity mirror
Premium ETR/CD with 6 speakers (mine came with a nicer optional in dash 3 CD changer and cassette player)
My SR5 came with the options marked with an *. I believe most SR5's came with those features. It was hard to get an SR5 that wasn't loaded where I live. They were either loaded or occasionally you could find one that was completely stripped.
The rear heater, moon roof, wind deflector, bug deflector, roof rack and trailer hitch were very common but they were options on both the SR5 and the Limited. My SR5 has all of them.
I don't know if the 97's were exactly the same.
If you want a 4Runner with an automatic transmission then I don't think there is much difference between most SR5's and a Limited except for the body armor, leather interior and wood grain trim. Some of the SR5 options have significant value. That SR5 probably has all of them. You should pay less for what it doesn't have. I think blue is the nicest 4Runner color. If that is really what you want then go back to the seller and let him know that the vehicle is an SR5 and try to confirm that it has what is important to you and that everything is okay.
automatic transmission
* 16" aluminum wheels, P265/70R16 tires and 13" front disk brakes
color keyed fender flairs, door cladding and running boards
* defroster linked air conditioning
* cruise control
* rear tonneau cover
* carpeted floor mats (although I think the Limited mats had a Limited Logo on them that mine does not have)
wood grain interior trim
leather seats, steering wheel, shift lever and door trim (The SR5 came with leather wrap steering wheel and shift lever)
power sport seats
* power windows, door locks, antenna and outside mirrors
* illuminated passenger visor vanity mirror
Premium ETR/CD with 6 speakers (mine came with a nicer optional in dash 3 CD changer and cassette player)
My SR5 came with the options marked with an *. I believe most SR5's came with those features. It was hard to get an SR5 that wasn't loaded where I live. They were either loaded or occasionally you could find one that was completely stripped.
The rear heater, moon roof, wind deflector, bug deflector, roof rack and trailer hitch were very common but they were options on both the SR5 and the Limited. My SR5 has all of them.
I don't know if the 97's were exactly the same.
If you want a 4Runner with an automatic transmission then I don't think there is much difference between most SR5's and a Limited except for the body armor, leather interior and wood grain trim. Some of the SR5 options have significant value. That SR5 probably has all of them. You should pay less for what it doesn't have. I think blue is the nicest 4Runner color. If that is really what you want then go back to the seller and let him know that the vehicle is an SR5 and try to confirm that it has what is important to you and that everything is okay.
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