Are Sport Editions higher up?

[BigBrother]

Okay, this is one of those questions that nags at you when you buy something new..

Ever since getting my 2006 Black SR5 recently, I have been looking a lot at other 4Rs on the road, comparing, getting ideas, etc.

Now, it has always seemed to me that mine looked sort of squat or fat in the back, basically vertically squat, like a minivan, compared to other 4Rs, especially Sports and Limiteds. So I carefully tried to find the differences. First off I measured- mine is the same height off the ground as the specs on the website, which place all three at nearly equal height (I have the 5 spoke 17" wheels). So next I looked at the cosmetic differences- the spoiler and silver chunk in the middle of the bumper on the other ones. It seems like the silver piece makes a big difference, perceptively, even more so than the spoiler (i.e. I've seen every permutation of with/without, and a black Sport I saw today with silver but without the spoiler didn't have the "squat" look.)

I live in an area where nearly no one does things like raising, customizing, etc., so I'm certain these are all stock.

So, what do you think it is? Is it just an optical illusion because there's so much pure black and nothing to break it up? Are Sports actually raised higher in the back? What gives? Why does my black 4R look like a minivan from behind, whereas others don't?

Thanks!

 

[Will816]

I think you're just imagining things. They are all the same height off the ground, the only difference is that some of the limited models have air suspension in back that can be raised, but once you hit like 15mph it drops back down to normal height and 2wd models have shorter front springs.

The center trim and spoiler have nothing to do with it. Just get a pocket tape measure and go through a big parking lot, you'll see that the only difference is between 2wd and 4wd.

 

[BigBrother]

Interesting...

 

[4runr30]

I have the same thing happen weekly. My hood looks lower then other T4Rs when nose to nose at a red light. I have a feeling it is more illusion with how I am sitting than a true difference. Oh well a cornfed will cure that.

 

[BigBrother]

Hehe, yep- I used to have it for the front too- till I saddled up reeeeal close to some other 4Rs and realized it was all illusion. As you get closer your truck magically lifts up higher (or theirs gets lower) . As odd as it sounds I suspect it may be a Toyota thing- my Mom, in her new Lexus RX330, told me one day on the road "look- they all look higher!" Ha!

 

[EH007]

If you are comparing your 4Runner to one with silver painted centers, then you're probably looking at an '03 - '05 model. I agree that the silver centers give an appearance of making both the rear and front end look like it is higher. Then again, I also think the '03 - '05 might actually be a bit higher under the nose than the '06+ models because of the redesigned bumper.

It's really too bad that Toyota got rid of the silver center sections on the bumpers because it was a good look.

 

[Kraeken]

It's a strange illusion- everyone else's truck looks higher when you're next to them at a light.

 

[BigBrother]

It's a strange illusion- everyone else's truck looks higher when you're next to them at a light.

Ha- glad I'm not the only one

 

[Mirlen]

Hood scoop gives you a 1.5" lift.

 

[SciRunner]

Yeah I hear the same. I had an Gen 4.5 SR5 and when my friends look at my Gen 4.5 SE, they think it's shorter..

 

[NCSCOTT]

My 04 SR5 2x4 has more clearance in the rear due to the integrated design of the early hitch than my 08 SE 4x4. Both V-6s. My 08 has a Port added hitch (Southeast Toyota). Those that live in the south east states know what I am talking about. They add an additional $750-800 to every invoice just so they get there share since they are the only Toyota distributer in the southeast US. Can you say monopoly!!! :soapbox:

Anyway the hitch on my 08 sits a couple inches lower. I also don't have the small notch in the center of the rear bumper that is on ealier models with the "Factory" weight carrying hitch.

I also believe the silver center section of the rear bumpers was just on the 04s. But I could be wrong.