how to identify a sport model

does the vin# identify the sport model, or is it on the info tag?

im still on the hunt for a 06-07 4runner to buy & have seen sr5's with sport hood & rims, & sports with sr5 rims.
 
Register to hide this ad
does the vin# identify the sport model, or is it on the info tag?

im still on the hunt for a 06-07 4runner to buy & have seen sr5's with sport hood & rims, & sports with sr5 rims.

Not really in the vin. The SR5 and Sport share the same identifier. JTEBU14. 'JTEBU'; Thats for a 4WD, so may be slightly different for 2WD, but that '4' is for SR5 and Sport. '7' would denote limited.

I have a limited but I've pretty much converted it to a sport by putting on the sport hood. Honestly though, I would say that it is extremely rare to find an SR5 with a sport hood on it. And thats pretty much the biggest difference. You can also tell by looking at the frame, sport editions will have small diameter metal tubes running along the outside of the frame for the X-Reas system. The shocks may or may not be X-Reas at this point due to the passage of time, but most people don't remove the tubes.

The last difference that I'm aware of functionality wise would be a thicker sway bar. Some visual differences are smoked chrome on the headlights and grill. The SR5 is bright silver chrome. Sport editions of that year will also have black cloth interior power seats. SR5s will have tan or light gray and manual seats.
 
i didnt think about the x-reas system... this one has alll the other sport features like tube running boards, black leather seats, but has sr5 rims. i will inspect it closer. thanks
 
Sports also have silver roof rack side rails and end caps. They also have silver door handles and rear door trim pieces. Limited roof racks and door handles are color matched and the SR5 roof racks are black.
The grills on the 03 and 04 at least are also silver. The Sport seats are also only black cloth or leather.
 
Last edited:
Sports also have silver roof rack side rails and end caps. They also have silver door handles and rear door trim pieces. Limited roof racks and door handles are color matched and the SR5 roof racks are black.
The grills on the 03 and 04 at least are also silver. The Sport seats are also only black cloth or leather.

Hmmm....sure about that? My sport has a black roof rack. It is different than the SR5 for sure. The sport is fat round tubing for the side rails. I think the normal SR5 is kind of a thinner foil shape. I'm not sure if the cross bars are the same between the two but I know the side rails are much different.
 
yeah this 07 has the black tube roof side bars too. its got all cosmetic signs of a sport but for some reason the wheels are like the base sr5 or maybe limited, not the sport spokes. i havent talked much with the seller yet but will ask if they know if the wheels were changed. waiting for frame pics...
 
[MENTION=157994]TowMeOut[/MENTION]
Yes I was thinking about the earlier Sports. The later years did go with a tube style rack. Missed that OP was looking for an 06/07.
 
does the vin# identify the sport model, or is it on the info tag?

im still on the hunt for a 06-07 4runner to buy & have seen sr5's with sport hood & rims, & sports with sr5 rims.

My '06 sport had the "SportEdition4WD" lettering on doors, hood scoop, larger brakes, XREAS (optional on SR5 / Limited), black tube style steps, and black Tube style roof rack.

NO - adjustable air suspension, Heated seats, Nav system, backup camera, or Seat memory functions of the Limited.

Boort
 
Id be weary or mix and match

if thhings are legit the VIN # will be stamped on the body ie: hood, 1/4 panels, doors components.

I think its not the VIN # that designates the model but the standard & options packages.
 
My 05 Sport has sliver roof rack, color matched handles to the rest of the body (white), xreas, and the VIN number starts with: JTEBT14
And I've got the Sport Edigion FWD on the sides...
 
ok, i got some more pics of the frame & it definitely has the x-reas stuff on the frame so its a sport. i didnt really doubt it was just curious if the vin verified that. apparently at some point in its life the sport wheels were changed to what look like limited wheels. the door emblems are partially gone but it does say sport on one door, owner thinks a car wash knocked them off, its his wifes car so who knows??

frame looks very clean & teh rest of the car is clean too. i will make an offer & keep my fingers crossed they accept it & its a good vehicle all around.
 
ok, i got some more pics of the frame & it definitely has the x-reas stuff on the frame so its a sport. i didnt really doubt it was just curious if the vin verified that. apparently at some point in its life the sport wheels were changed to what look like limited wheels. the door emblems are partially gone but it does say sport on one door, owner thinks a car wash knocked them off, its his wifes car so who knows??

frame looks very clean & teh rest of the car is clean too. i will make an offer & keep my fingers crossed they accept it & its a good vehicle all around.

Sport logo, Xreas, hood scoop, and fat roof rails all indicate sport.

Just out of curiosity, why are you looking for a Sport? I just posted on why NOT to be sold by the XREAS suspension.
 
have you run a VIN check/carfax?

ok, i got some more pics of the frame & it definitely has the x-reas stuff on the frame so its a sport. i didnt really doubt it was just curious if the vin verified that. apparently at some point in its life the sport wheels were changed to what look like limited wheels. the door emblems are partially gone but it does say sport on one door, owner thinks a car wash knocked them off, its his wifes car so who knows??

frame looks very clean & teh rest of the car is clean too. i will make an offer & keep my fingers crossed they accept it & its a good vehicle all around.

or toyota VIN lookup for accidents and such?
 
Sport logo, Xreas, hood scoop, and fat roof rails all indicate sport.

Just out of curiosity, why are you looking for a Sport? I just posted on why NOT to be sold by the XREAS suspension.

im aware of the external identifiers but technically all those things can be changed or added to a sr5, i was just curious if something like a vin# or info tag somewhere verified the sport option.

the reason why i want a sport is mainly that it looks better than a base sr5 or limited, just looks more aggressive. i also really like the black seats & grey interior & i hate the tan "stone" color interiors that come on so many toyotas. the x-reas shock system is something to think about but sounds like guys are using regular shocks & new springs when it goes bad so thats a non issue. & yes sports have "bigger" brakes, how much of a difference i dont know but toyota felt it was worth the upgrade.

thanks again for the info, just wanted to be armed with info when i went to see it. but after seeing the x-reas system in pics im sure its a sport, just got the wheels changed out for some reason & lost some letters on the door.
 
im aware of the external identifiers but technically all those things can be changed or added to a sr5, i was just curious if something like a vin# or info tag somewhere verified the sport option.

the reason why i want a sport is mainly that it looks better than a base sr5 or limited, just looks more aggressive. i also really like the black seats & grey interior & i hate the tan "stone" color interiors that come on so many toyotas. the x-reas shock system is something to think about but sounds like guys are using regular shocks & new springs when it goes bad so thats a non issue. & yes sports have "bigger" brakes, how much of a difference i dont know but toyota felt it was worth the upgrade.

thanks again for the info, just wanted to be armed with info when i went to see it. but after seeing the x-reas system in pics im sure its a sport, just got the wheels changed out for some reason & lost some letters on the door.

XREAS was an option on the Limited models, something to keep in mind.

I do like my sport interior.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,089
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top