Do I have a true “Highlander” edition?

[906-Runner]

I have a 2000 that I thought was a Highlander until I did some more research into the topic and now I’m not sure if I have one or not. It has black interior trim and cloth seats, color match Limited style fender flares, roof rack, 16 in wheels with the larger brakes, a 5-Speed manual, and an e-locker. But it don’t have the color match bumpers or grill, fog lights, and most of all it’s missing the sport hood. I know the original paint color is Imperial Jade Mica from the paint code being 6Q7; and the VIN on the hood matches the one in the door jamb. So what my question is, do I have a true “Highlander Sport Edition”, or do I just have an SR5 with a bunch of options?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

No. The Highlander has a hood scoop, color matched bumpers and grille. Yours is missing the scoop and bumpers at least, which tells me you have the sport flares that were an option.

 

[KSWAY]

It's just another turd. I'll give you 3k..

 

[TRD 4RNR]

Not a Highlander
but still a good looking 4Runner !

 

[T4R2014]

Plot twist: the Highlander package was just another SR5 with options... that didn’t even have to be a rear locker. Very tasteful styling, though.

 

[906-Runner]

No. The Highlander has a hood scoop, color matched bumpers and grille. Yours is missing the scoop and bumpers at least, which tells me you have the sport flares that were an option.

So sport flares are the same as limited flares?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

So sport flares are the same as limited flares?

Nope. The Limited flares are incorporated into the body cladding that you see on the Limited models, which are their own packaged option. The sport flares that are stand alone from 2000-2002 are what you have. They were an option on those years for the SR5 and came standard on the 2000 Highlander and the later 01-02 renamed “Sport” package.

 

[906-Runner]

Nope. The Limited flares are incorporated into the body cladding that you see on the Limited models, which are their own packaged option. The sport flares that are stand alone from 2000-2002 are what you have. They were an option on those years for the SR5 and came standard on the 2000 Highlander and the later 01-02 renamed “Sport” package.

Sorry I should've clarified, are the sport flares and the limited flares the same in shape and size? I'm asking because my front drivers side bumper piece is busted off and curious if the same piece from a Limited will fit into the same spot?

 

[phattyduck]

Sorry I should've clarified, are the sport flares and the limited flares the same in shape and size? I'm asking because my front drivers side bumper piece is busted off and curious if the same piece from a Limited will fit into the same spot?

He literally answered that exact question in the post you quoted.

-Charlie

 

[ToyotaBrah]

If you're referring to the flare piece I have circled, then yes, I'm quite certain it is the same between the Limited and Sport.

Every other flare piece on the truck is different than the Limited as Dezert4Runner mentioned.

edit: just confirmed that the Limited and Sport share the same bumper flare. Part # 52103-35902

 

[JohnMc]

Plot twist: the Highlander package was just another SR5 with options... that didn’t even have to be a rear locker. Very tasteful styling, though.

It didn't even have to be 4WD. I saw a 2WD '99 Highlander in a junkyard once. It had all the other features (color match grille/bumpers, scoop, fog lights, sport seats) but no 4WD, no locker.

 

[Killer Squirrel]

I've always wondered the same thing. I 'think' I have the Highlander package but since I don't have the window sticker I'm not sure. 2000 with hood scoop, matched flares and bumpers, running boards, rear locker, tan cloth interior with the peel off woodgrain, dealer installed supercharger.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

It didn't even have to be 4WD. I saw a 2WD '99 Highlander in a junkyard once. It had all the other features (color match grille/bumpers, scoop, fog lights, sport seats) but no 4WD, no locker.

We have tons of them in SoCal. At least half of the Highlanders I see for sale locally end up being 2wd. I guess since 4wd isn’t as common of an option on the T4R’s sold in this part of the country, the 2wd versions sold pretty well here.

 

[JohnMc]

That looks like a Highlander. The hood is the main thing. Unless it was an unusual dealer parts department 'upgrade' done when new, it only came in the Highlander package (and in 01/02 the Sport).

99 Highlander had the black plastic 'mid sized' flares, '00 had the Limited sized flares.

Running boards and rear locker and woodgrain were all separate options. Well, perhaps a running board delete was an option. Mine is a '99 Highlander with running board delete (has the rare front mid-flare mud flaps), 5 spd, e-locker.

And, as it turns out, the somewhat rare 4.10:1 ratio e-locker. Most of them are 4.30:1. I'm not sure if mine is a 4.10 because it's a factory manual e-locker, and the 4.30 lockers are more common because that's what an automatic would have had?

 

[Hepar]

I've always wondered the same thing. I 'think' I have the Highlander package but since I don't have the window sticker I'm not sure. 2000 with hood scoop, matched flares and bumpers, running boards, rear locker, tan cloth interior with the peel off woodgrain, dealer installed supercharger.

Definitely sounds/looks like one to me. And with the SC and locker, one on steroids! The only thing I see is that the grille was painted at some point. The factory painted Highlander/Sport grille still has some black on the inside.

 

[JohnMc]

The only thing I see is that the grille was painted at some point. The factory painted Highlander/Sport grille still has some black on the inside.

True, and good eye!

 

[foskco87]

I've always wondered the same thing. I 'think' I have the Highlander package but since I don't have the window sticker I'm not sure. 2000 with hood scoop, matched flares and bumpers, running boards, rear locker, tan cloth interior with the peel off woodgrain, dealer installed supercharger.

I would say you definitely have a Highlander edition. There are a few pretty solid giveaways: The hood scoop, the colour-matched bumper and grille, the fog lights, and the fact that it has the limited fender flares but NOT the limited door cladding. Any one of those might not be enough to say for sure, but the fact that you have all of them pretty much guarantees it is a highlander.

 

[Endlessblockades]

If I'm not mistaken, you can punch the VIN into the Toyota site and it will tell you if it has the correct code for the SX or Sport packages or whatever that make it a Highlander, no? I don't have one, so I'm fuzzy on that stuff.

 

[Romeo1]

The dealer can give you a full sheet. The Toyota vin site gives you a listing but not in window sticker format.

My 99 just says on the Toyota lookup:

Grade SR5

C7 CONVENIENCE PACKAGE INCLUDES
Port
CA CALIF. EMISSIONS REQUIREMENT
Factory
CR RUNNING BOARDS (CHROME)
Port
GI UPGRADE VALUE PKG #2
Factory
RH REAR HEATER
Factory
SR PWR TILT & SLIDE MOONROOF
Factory
SX SPORTS PKG W/4.30 LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
Factory

Wished I had the original window sticker that said highlander. The dealer printout says nothing about highlander. The parts guys never even heard of it…….

 

[JohnMc]

FYI here is the Toyota website where you can enter the VIn to see the originally installed options: Vehicle Specification | Toyota Owners

I use it all the time to see what options a junkyard 4Runner has on it.

SP is the 'regular' HIghlander package, SX is the Highlander package with the locker. Not sure if you could get an SP with DL option? Who knows.