SR5 to SPORT Conversion

[nk13]

i'm shopping for a used T4R as a replacement for my audi wagon and would appreciate some input....

i've test driven both the '07 SR5 and Sport versions at different Toyota dealerships. liked the handling of the Sport better and presume it's the combo of 17'' wheels and the XREAS system. the SR5 dealer offered to convert the SR5 into a Sport by adding a power driver's seat, the larger brakes and the XREAS system. he won't do the larger wheels and i didn't ask him about the possibility of switching out to the Sport's steering wheel (telescoping and radio controls). can't imagine he'd do it but i was shocked he offered to make the other swaps. the asking price may still be a couple of thou less than a "real" Sport. if i add 17's will the modified SR5 function largely the same as a Sport? thanks in advance.

 

[Merle]

I'd save my money on the seat and the X-REAS system. Go with an after market shock/spring combo (spoken from a guy w/ X-REAS in his 2008 limited) to compensate. The power seats are nice, but pretty much once you set them, you ignore them (except when the guys at the car wash muck around with them) - heated seats are different though as winter IS coming.

Larger brakes... unless you tow or do autocross, just don't quite seem worth it as "stick" and the ability to dissipate heat isn't something you're going to need on a daily basis (limited w/ the larger set of brakes here too).

 

[nk13]

thanks for the response. would an aftermarket shock/spring setup replicate or improve on the XREAS system as far as tightening up handling and cornering?

i'll probably test out a Limited as well but i'm not seeing many listed with XREAS. those i do see listed are generally V8's without XREAS and i don't feel the need to exhange mpg for the extra hp and torque. happen to know if a Limited without XREAS will handle the same as the SR5 or do the 18"s make a big difference?

 

[gm350reratliff]

Kind of odd that he would switch the brakes but not the wheels. Usually it is the other way around. It seems like a lot of switching to me.

 

[forwardnum1]

I would double check with the dealership on the brakes, you may be getting your chain pulled. The reason sports are not available with 16 inch wheels is simply that there would be contact between the caliper and wheel. Hopefully the dealer is an honest one but you might get the "we cant do the brakes because of the wheels" error message from them. Xreas is nice, it seems as though a lot of us are happy without it and many prefer aftermarket setups over the xreas. Also keep in mind that when a shock on a normal suspension leaks or wears out you have the option of replacing one or two of the shocks. With Xreas its all or nothing, and once its leaking the system is in trouble due to its hydraulic nature. Replacing the XREAS also means $$$$$. Just my two cents.

 

[JCR]

The size of the brakes on the sport require 17" wheels, my guess is you just preferred the ride of the sport just because it was in better shape most likely. I have a sport and couldn't tell you a difference in the ride between an sr5 and sport that have been well taken care of and similar tires.

It seems fishy to me that he would go through so much trouble to sell the vehicle, that's a lot of money to switch that stuff.

Also, 17" wheels aren't going to make a bit of difference how a vehicle rides or drives. Now the tires? Yes, that can make a lot of difference.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

The size of the rotors on a sport is 13.3 and the SR5 is 12.something inchs. To do that you need the bigger rotors, calibers, dust shield if you want it (I didn't) and thats it. lucky for me my SR5 had the 17 inch rims so thats all I got. As for the Xreas you can have it if you really want it but most people (me soon) upgrade the bushings, shocks, and springs with the FJ and those parts are cheaper than the Xreas. So far they like the change, even those with Xreas havee taken it off and done the change. Now if you like the exterior and want to change the SR5 to the sport it'll cost a pretty penny but you might get lucky from a wreck or someone parting out.

 

[eskimochaos]

Is the sport the only trim with the Lexus VGRS? or do all 4th gens have it?

 

[Uneek]

The X-REAS system alone is over a grand. Some members who have removed the X-REAS shocks and upgraded, says part of the hard lines in the system doesn't look like it can be removed without kinking them. I'd imagine that would be the same case with installing it.

I don't see it as a feasible solution for the dealer to even offer. The labor and parts will cost more than the price difference for the two different trims.

These are sales people, they'll sell a cat to a mouse.

 

[zimm]

XREAS sucks, I ditched my system.

Like others said, I bet the dealer is full of ****- the big brakes won't fit with the 16" wheels.

The sport also give you the hood scoop, special interior door panels, special seats, body colored mirrors and trim (SR5 is black), smoke chrome grill, and some other stuff I'm sure I'm forgetting.

 

[webby]

I just recently bought a 2009 SR5 4WD V6. I was a little surprised (pleasantly so), just before purchasing it, to discover that it has 17" wheels (OEM). I expected that it would have 16" wheels. So not all SR5's have 16" wheels from the factory. This could be a bit of useful information for the OP.

I have a few questions related to this that someone here may know the answers to:

Did all '09 SR5's have 17" wheels?
Or were 17" wheels standard with 4WD?
Or were 17" wheels just an option that my runner came with?
And lastly, since my runner has 17" wheels, would it have the bigger brakes that the Sport Ed has?

 

[Maz]

Kind of odd that he would switch the brakes but not the wheels. Usually it is the other way around. It seems like a lot of switching to me.

I'm a little confused here, I thought in order to have the larger brakes...you had to have the larger wheels to clear them. What am I missing?

 

[nk13]

if XREAS is not part of the setup, would a good set of 18" tires on a Limited do much to improve handling and road stability on highway and street driving? would 18" tires dimish the off road ride by not having the same cusion from bumps as 16 or 17's?

thanks. diminishing off road capabiities?

 

[DC Dude]

Is the dealer offering a warranty?

 

[nk13]

it's a certified Toyota so 7/100,000 on power train and a limited 3/3,000 i belive.

fwiw, i just drove a friend's Honda Pilot (think it was an '03) and compared to the '07 4Runners i've tested i don't think it handled anywhere near as well. in highway driving the Pilot really rolled in turns and there was definitely more play in the steering wheel. the ambient highway wind noise in the Pilot sounded like the fan was set on medium. the Pilot seats were bigger and more supportive and the rear independent suspension relayed less bumps than the 4Runner but overall i didnt feel secure enough in the Pilot's handling to even consider it.

 

[Falls]

I have an 06 sport 4x4 V8 ( bought new) I ran the Xreas system til 60k miles . I pulled the system off . shocks springs and struts and replaced them with a new set of spring and shock stuts from and FJ. best move I made , it rides slightly firmer , I have LESS body roll and handles much better. I don't think to highly of the Xreas even since it was new . I would do aftermarket stuff or FJ stuff before I would ever opt for the Xreas.

Yes 17" wheels are/were an option on the SR5. My stepson has one ! I was surprised too. (although I would like to have 16" wheels) but I can't because of the brakes. a cool set of 18's would be nice to but yes you have to be careful offfroad and onroad , but you can always get a higher sidewall tire.

I personally would NOT by the SR5 that the dealer has modified. Just take your time and find a Sport Edition and trick that one out. If you want an SR5 they are a great truck as they sit so I would get that if thats what you truly want then get that. Basically 'm saying I would not let the dealer do a conversion , since even the interior is even different and so is the hood with the scoop I think the dealer is giving you a line of crap.

My front end has a limited (color coded grill) since I hated the chrome one . my suspension is all FJ , my wheels are FJ . Tires have been upgraded to an mild AT thats 1" larger. So I'm running a hybrid....lol.

Going to lift a little more soon I hope once I can decide what to get.

See below for list of mods

Good luck
Mike

 

[Justinlhc]

Yeah looking at the lines on my XREAS there would be no way to get it out without bending the hard lines. Once they disconnect it from one vehicle and the lines are opened and fluid has drained, how do they plan to "recharged" or refill the system?

My 06 4R with XREAS rides like a dream and I'm scared to get rid of it because I don't want to end up with a worse ride, but people are saying they noticed an improvement after removing it.

Also, depending on how many miles are on the vehicle, that system will need to be serviced or replaced eventually anyways. I'd hate to think what they would charge to replace a shock.

I'd also not let the dealer rip and tear into a vehicle like that. It will be worth the wait to find the vehicle you want without the games.

 

[webby]

... Yes 17" wheels are/were an option on the SR5. My stepson has one ! I was surprised too ...
Mike

Thanks for that info, Mike. Do you know if the SR5 with the 17" wheel option would have the larger brakes?

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Thanks for that info, Mike. Do you know if the SR5 with the 17" wheel option would have the larger brakes?

No they don't but the bigger brakes will fit the SR5 17 inch rims

 

[Uneek]

I just recently bought a 2009 SR5 4WD V6. I was a little surprised (pleasantly so), just before purchasing it, to discover that it has 17" wheels (OEM). I expected that it would have 16" wheels. So not all SR5's have 16" wheels from the factory. This could be a bit of useful information for the OP.

I have a few questions related to this that someone here may know the answers to:

Did all '09 SR5's have 17" wheels?
Or were 17" wheels standard with 4WD?
Or were 17" wheels just an option that my runner came with?
And lastly, since my runner has 17" wheels, would it have the bigger brakes that the Sport Ed has?

Standard wheels on a SR5 are 16" regardless of V6 or V8, 2WD or 4WD. Most SR5's came with the optional 17" wheels, 5 spokes, same design as the Tacoma with the TRD Sport package.

The SR5 all came with the smaller brakes. All Sport Editions came with the bigger brakes. Some Limiteds got the bigger brakes, while others have the smaller one.