Multipurpose 4Runner - Sport Edition?

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cencyc

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I am thinking about a '99 - '02 4Runner that I can use for multiple purposes, mountain travel (ski/hike/bike), off-roading (Colorado jeep trails...not a rock crawler) and road trips (500+ highway miles). A few years ago, I read a web page about the desirability of the Sport Edition...now I can't find the page. And Sport Editions seem to be hard to find.

What are the specific advantages for the Sport Edition over an SR5 or Limited for off-roading on mountain trails?
 
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There's no benefit to the sport edition in an offroad aspect. Most people just want the hood scoop. You may be talking about the highlander which is the 99 4runner. Most people think there desirable because they sit a little higher and hve the diff lock. You could always lift it and add and arb to it.
 
The sport edition is kind of a midway model between the SR5 and Limited editions. They're pretty much an SR5 but with some of the Limited luxuries, like leather seats. But the primary reason most people like the sport is because of the hood scoop and color keyed front and rear bumper. In my opinion, with what you said you want a 4runner for, I would get an 01, 02. The traction control is nice, the ride is a little smoother and the interior is a little nicer which would be great for road trips and stuff like that. It still has almost the same off-road capabilities as the 99-00 but honestly you would notice them unless you were more of a serious off-roader.
 
I agree with Matt...get an 01-02...Limiteds are nice, but theres no drivetrain difference between LTD and SR5, it's all in the trim.
 
This thread might help: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/58820-99-4runner-why-most-desirable.html

cencyc said:
I am thinking about a '99 - '02 4Runner that I can use for multiple purposes, mountain travel (ski/hike/bike), off-roading (Colorado jeep trails...not a rock crawler) and road trips (500+ highway miles). A few years ago, I read a web page about the desirability of the Sport Edition...now I can't find the page. And Sport Editions seem to be hard to find.

What are the specific advantages for the Sport Edition over an SR5 or Limited for off-roading on mountain trails?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I read the "Why 99s are the best" thread and am also reading the 4Runner History pages (lots to digest).

I do like the looks of the hood scoop and have found some aftermarket options for replacing the stock hood. I know it won't have the matching 'fat lip' bumper cover, but that is not really an issue for me. I planned on lifting and locking (when I get more serious), so that is not an issue either.

I should focus on finding a good 99 - 02 and modify it as I want.
 
cencyc said:
Thanks for all the feedback. I read the "Why 99s are the best" thread and am also reading the 4Runner History pages (lots to digest).

I do like the looks of the hood scoop and have found some aftermarket options for replacing the stock hood. I know it won't have the matching 'fat lip' bumper cover, but that is not really an issue for me. I planned on lifting and locking (when I get more serious), so that is not an issue either.

I should focus on finding a good 99 - 02 and modify it as I want.
Click to expand...

Or you can get the year that started it all a 96. I have a 96 limited and the only thing it does not have is traction control and heated seats.
 
Nothing particularly special about the Highlander/SEs but the '99s are a bit rare in the fact only two color choices were available and if you really off road a bit the skinny plastic flares and a rear locker (available on any trim level til '00) are a nice touch. '99-00 are the only Sport models to have the mid gen upgrades and optional 5 speed and locker available but no ATRAC til '01.

'99 Sports are unique to that one year with the available options and the skinny flares since in '00 they went to the widebody Limited flares but most things can be swapped with other years.
 
i'd get the '99 i'm biased though, but buying a 4runner already with a 1 inch lift and a factory locker will save you a little bit of cash,i've found when buying these used 90% of the time people don;t know what the heck a locker is so when buying used the locker option isn't really included in the price, so essentially it's free, that's a 800-1.2K savings depending if your doing the work, and thats a shit ton of gas money or a new bike frame, lol

and unless your trying to put a 3 inch lift (i think hard time getting the truck in and out of places with a 3 inch lift and bikes on the roof) the 1 inch lift is usualy enough for most people and if not when you go to put the larger lift on you will not have a problem selling the stock 1 inch lift '99 coils to help recoupe the cost of the larger lift, sorry if this is hard to follow, but there will be a bit of saving with starting with a locker and mild lift.

another thing is the multi-mode 4wd in the '99's feels more burly then the later years but that's just a pov and no real mechanics to back it up,i just enjoy having a mode of 4wd for every conceivable condition and having control over which one i use when.

good luck buddy.
 
Dark Runner said:
The sport edition is kind of a midway model between the SR5 and Limited editions. They're pretty much an SR5 but with some of the Limited luxuries, like leather seats. But the primary reason most people like the sport is because of the hood scoop and color keyed front and rear bumper. In my opinion, with what you said you want a 4runner for, I would get an 01, 02. The traction control is nice, the ride is a little smoother and the interior is a little nicer which would be great for road trips and stuff like that. It still has almost the same off-road capabilities as the 99-00 but honestly you would notice them unless you were more of a serious off-roader.
Click to expand...

I am almost certain leather seats were not standard - at least on 2000 models. My neighbor got a Sport eedition two weeks before I got the SR5. Both of us had the seats upgraded to leather locally.
 
My 02 Sport has Sport cloth interior.. Not that I like leather. If I had leather in my 4Runner, there wouldn't be any hides left on the seats :)

I'd get the last of the 3rd gens cuz of the multimode 4WD/AWD system and the beautiful traction control system that kicks ass offroad. Also, the VSC keeps the 4Runner in check on road. Maybe alil too much. It makes it feel a lot more solid and heavier than what it really is. Compared to the previous non VSC 4Runners that get tail whip happy.
 
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