Sport Edition/package. What does it mean?

[ozana]

Hi there, just got my 2001 4Runner Sport Ed., and I was wondering if you guys know more than I do about what exactly the Sport Ed/package means.
This is what I've got so far:
-Sport Seats
-13 inch front disc brakes
-4.100 Rear Diff
-Fog Lamps
-hood scoop(does it have any use besides aesthetic?)
-roof rack ?
-tow hitch?
-running boards?

I've also heard/read about better lower gears or something.
Feel free to add anything that you might know.
Thank you

 

[Ghostrider]

I have a 2001 SR5 and this is what I remember for the differences
1. Sport was available in limited colors - silver, green and black come to mind
2. Sport had painted bumpers and hood scoop while mine has chrome and no scoop
3. Sport and SR5 had the same brakes if you got the 16 wheels.
4. Sport and SR5 had slightly different wheels in 16"
5. Sport had "aluminum" type trim inside while SR5 had black
6. Rack, hitch and running boards were all options on SR5. I think this depends on the packages available from the various importers. Mine was from Gulf States. Same with fog lights
7. I do not think there were any differences in seats. In 2000/01 my neighbor had a sport and I had the SR5 and I cannot remember the seats being different

 

[Rock Slide]

Welcome to the Sport club

Here's some useful info:
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html

Once on the site, just click the model year of your choice to read about each one.

 

[ozana]

thank you guys.

 

[ozana]

where can i find some info (besides the owner's manual) about how/where/when to use the 4X4 ? never had one before and i was reading in the owner's manual that is recommended to use it at least 10 miles / month for lubrification.
thank you

 

[p nut]

Yes, you should put it into 4WD every month. You need to be going less than 60MPH (per manual). Push the button on the transfer case lever that says "4WD". The light will blink on and off, then go solid. That means it's in 4WD. You can run this 4WD on dry pavement or off-road.

Some people put it into 4WD at the first sign of rain or snow. I really don't bother with rain, and only put it into 4WD if there is snow on the ground.

 

[BigElk]

My 4Runner has the Gulf State Sport Package. It came with;

16X7" Aluminum Alloy Wheels
P265/70 Tires
Black Sport Trim-Fr & RR
Bumper Grill
Fender Flares
Black Leather Front Sport Seats
Cruise Control
12.5" Front Disc Brakes
4.100 Rear Diff
Black Leather Covered Shift Knob & Streering Wheel

Mine didnt come with the hood scoop but I like the way they look so its on my mod wish list.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

BigElk,The true sport package didn't appear til '99 hence your '97 didn't have the scoop but I'd really like to see some pics especially of your black leather seats since those were never offered by Toyota.

 

[Rock Slide]

My 4Runner has the Gulf State Sport Package. It came with;

Mine didnt come with the hood scoop but I like the way they look so its on my mod wish list.

Just to point something out, the true "Sport Pkg" did not debut on a 4Runner until 1999...and even then, it was originally called the "Highlander Edition". Toyota later dropped the Highlander name to denote the themed package when they debuted their new smalled sized Highlander SUV. Toyota then called the Highlander package for the 4Runner the "Sport Pkg" and a year later, changed that to the "Sport Edition Pkg".

From what I've heard about the "Gulf State" Packages, was that they were dealer installed options in that specific region. Thus the reason you do not have the factory installed Sport hood scoop.

Nonetheless, got any pictures you can post up of it? Especially those black leather seats...

 

[BigElk]

That's weird because I have the original paperwork that states all the options on my truck and it calls it a Sport Package and its dated 1997. Im not sure what this paperwork is but it looks like the original window sticker. I would be very surprised to find out that the black leather seats are not from Toyota because they sure look like they're made to order instead of aftermarker but I could be wrong. They look exactly like the other leather ones Ive seen except black. Even the head rests front and back. If someone had them made as modification they sure did an exacting job. I don't know if they are a good thing though because them suckers get hot after sitting in this Texas sun for any length of time.

 

[BigElk]

The seats and headrests front and back are all black leather and so is the steering wheel and shift knob. All of it looks worn down as if it were 148,000 miles and 11 years old like the rest of the vehicle.

 

[BigElk]

The more I look at this paperwork, the more I think its an original window sticker. I havent looked at new cars in so long I really dont know what one looks like up close but it has remnans of sticky stuff around the edges. I cant seem to figure out my scanner at the moment but when my wife gets home I'll have her upload it to an image an post it here. The total distributor suggested retail price of my truck in 1997 was $34,550.00. That can't be right for 1997 can it? Sure sounds high. I just climbed out of the dark ages so Im probably ignorant of such things. My last newest vehicle was a 1988 Yota 2WD pickup and before that, IH Scouts, so a 97 is space age technology to me.

 

[Rock Slide]

No offense, but that black leather looks very out of place with the tan dash trim. I see why now Toyota did not offer black leather.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the picture above, the plastic clip that the headrest clicks into...is that piece the same tan color as the dash? (I can't tell if that's the camera flash making it lighter or not.) If so, then that piece, plus your tan dash & your tan center console tells me your 4Runner originally came with tan cloth seats. (I doubt it came with tan leather originally b/c yours is not a Limited.)

The more I look at this paperwork, the more I think its an original window sticker....The total distributor suggested retail price of my truck in 1997 was $34,550.00. That can't be right for 1997 can it? Sure sounds high.

It could be an original window sticker, but that does not always mean the sticker came straight from Japan written like that. I have seen dealers go back and add their own info to the window sticker to read what they want it to say. I tend to believe you have either dealer installed options or port installed options. (Port meaning, where your 4Runner came off the boat at.)

Either way, if you can get the window sticker posted up, by all means do so. I'd like to see it regardless. :bigok:

And yes, that price sounds right. Buddy of mine bought a '96 4Runner brand new in '96 and paid $38K for it.

 

[BigElk]

No offence taken bro, Im wondering myself. Any info is appreciated.

That must be it then. They must of been cloth because youre right the headrest clips and the dash are tan. Man, whoever did it sure did a good job. Totally fooled me.

Still, why would it say "Sport Package" on the window sticker in 1997 if they werent available until 1999?

 

[BigElk]

OK, I just spotted the info on the sticker. Up at the top under the vin and model/ year info it say Color: Black/Oak. So I guess that means the interior was originally Oak color or what we called Tan. That one is solved but I still think its weird they call the options on the sticker a "Sport Package". The cost of this option was $1,760.00. The option list the shift knob and steering wheel as leather. So you think they just had a modification done to match the seats to the shift knob and steering wheel?
The original dealer was in Denton, Texas and the Port of entry was LA. The distributor was Gulf States Toyota, Inc. The model/year says 8664A/1997

 

[Rock Slide]

Still, why would it say "Sport Package" on the window sticker in 1997 if they werent available until 1999?

Like I said, the Dealer themselves probably added that wording. Maybe they were trying to make the vehicle sound more appealing by adding the word "Sport" out beside it.

A lot of manufacturers tend to classify their vehicles with a few more options as being the "Sport Model". More of a marketing ploy then anything.

You said in an earlier post, that your 4Runner has the Gulf State Sport Package...that tells me that the option package was added in the Gulf State in which the vehicle was sold, since Toyota never offered a G.S. Pkg. The dealer could not claim it as a true Sport package (especially since Toyota had not yet unveiled this pkg yet), but instead called it a G.S. Pkg since the options were added in the state in which the vehicle was originally sold.

Make sense?

 

[Rock Slide]

OK, I just spotted the info on the sticker. Up at the top under the vin and model/ year info it say Color: Black/Oak. So I guess that means the interior was originally Oak color or what we called Tan. That one is solved but I still think its weird they call the options on the sticker a "Sport Package". The cost of this option was $1,760.00. The option list the shift knob and steering wheel as leather. So you think they just had a modification done to match the seats to the shift knob and steering wheel?
The original dealer was in Denton, Texas and the Port of entry was LA. The distributor was Gulf States Toyota, Inc. The model/year says 8664A/1997

Ok, good to hear the seat issue is resolved. I knew that black looked way out place

Yep, sounds like they just added their own options to it...thus the reason they call it a "Gulf State Sport Pkg" and not just a "Sport Pkg". I'm assuming the word Sport was just added to increase buyer appeal.

 

[BigElk]

Thanks, I learned a lot.
Darn, now I have to take Sport Package off my signature. I thought I had a rare bird there for a while.

 

[Rock Slide]

Thanks, I learned a lot.

Darn, now I have to take Sport Package off my signature.

Any time...that's what we are here for.

On the plus side, knowing's better than not knowing.

 

[DuendeBubulin]

I bought my 4Runner back in 2004 it was a 98 model the papers says it was a Sport Edition what i remember is that parts back in the days were really expensive and right now are really hard to find.