What year??
- Thread starter Redram
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pat161
New member
Lockers, only available 96-00
Full Time 4wd and TRAC/VSC standard on all 01/ 02, minus 1st option on 2wd models of course.
Tow package - very common, most 4Runners will have a hitch. There is really no more to it than a hitch and wiring on 3rd gens so adding one shouldn't be a big issue.
Sport seats, really no different than the SR5 buckets w/ lumbar control, the sport seats seem to have a little more side bolstering. I had the leather from a limited in my 00 and now I have an 02 Sport and the seats are pretty much equal, though the base buckets w/o lumbar suck and should be avoided.
Sunroof hit or miss on this one. Assuming you don't mind an auto you may want to look for an earlier limited model, most of those in my area have both the locker and sunroof. I believe it was 99 they started putting the full time 4wd system into Limited models. Also a Highlander package would probably fit the bill as well, those are the original Sport models before they called them Sport. That way you get the cool hood scoop as well.
Full Time 4wd and TRAC/VSC standard on all 01/ 02, minus 1st option on 2wd models of course.
Tow package - very common, most 4Runners will have a hitch. There is really no more to it than a hitch and wiring on 3rd gens so adding one shouldn't be a big issue.
Sport seats, really no different than the SR5 buckets w/ lumbar control, the sport seats seem to have a little more side bolstering. I had the leather from a limited in my 00 and now I have an 02 Sport and the seats are pretty much equal, though the base buckets w/o lumbar suck and should be avoided.
Sunroof hit or miss on this one. Assuming you don't mind an auto you may want to look for an earlier limited model, most of those in my area have both the locker and sunroof. I believe it was 99 they started putting the full time 4wd system into Limited models. Also a Highlander package would probably fit the bill as well, those are the original Sport models before they called them Sport. That way you get the cool hood scoop as well.
techno
New member
pat161 has summed it up well, but if you want further info I suggest this site, it has plenty of juicy details http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
'99 Highlander model and it has the cloth sport seats.
You definetly get the taller coils (if you planned on a lift this really isn't the big deal)
'99s also received the better headlamps,multi power outlets (one in the hatch too) and all the other goodies metioned in the link.
You definetly get the taller coils (if you planned on a lift this really isn't the big deal)
'99s also received the better headlamps,multi power outlets (one in the hatch too) and all the other goodies metioned in the link.
Thanks for the info people, I really appreciated it. From what I have read it seems I should be looking for a 99 or 2000 sport or limited model. The locking diff and sunroof is #1 on my list of must have
Has there been many issues with the AWD system? You can still run the Runner in 2WD right?
Also RonMAIDEN, did you say the Highlander models stand alittle higher with bigger coils (just in the rear?)
Has there been many issues with the AWD system? You can still run the Runner in 2WD right?
Also RonMAIDEN, did you say the Highlander models stand alittle higher with bigger coils (just in the rear?)
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
It's hit and miss on which Runners have the 1" taller coils but it seems all the Highlander models in '99 and '01 got the taller coils then in '01 all Runners got the shorter coils than any other year.
The coils that all the other Runners got pre '01 have one less wind in the coil while the '01+ dropped about another half inch.
Limited models didn't get the taller coils.
Here's mine next to an '01 but also remember I have the taller tires too.
i'll post up some pics of mine next to my mom's '99 Limited ove the weekend.
The coils that all the other Runners got pre '01 have one less wind in the coil while the '01+ dropped about another half inch.
Limited models didn't get the taller coils.
Here's mine next to an '01 but also remember I have the taller tires too.
i'll post up some pics of mine next to my mom's '99 Limited ove the weekend.
Looks like I will be on the hunt for a clean 99/00 Sport(Highlander) with locker, sunroof and maybe with any luck a 5spd. I might be interested in trying an auto thugh as I am always in ugly traffic.
I have never driven a 3rd gen. How is the bottom end power of the 3.4L compared the the 3.0L second gen I am used to driving as the 3.0L has not bottom end power...LOL
I have never driven a 3rd gen. How is the bottom end power of the 3.4L compared the the 3.0L second gen I am used to driving as the 3.0L has not bottom end power...LOL
Dirt4dinner
New member
Someone told me (he owns a '00) that he would rather have '99 because when doing really big modifications with axles and trannys that the computer in the 2000 and newer freaks out. He said the computer in the 99 is much easier to work with when making major changes. I have NO idea what he was really talking about...but his 4Runner is pretty sick, and he knows what he is talking about.
Dirt4dinner
New member
I don't have the sport model...but isn't the only difference the hood scope? Maybe they have matching painted fenders too.
Anyways, we are totally in love with our SR5. It's got power everything, sun roof...I added the tow hitch package and other accessories. It is just about to turn over 150,000 miles and the only repair I have had to do other than scheduled maintenance is the rear axle seals, and the radiator has a tiny leak in one corner that I will be fixing this winter.
Anyways, we are totally in love with our SR5. It's got power everything, sun roof...I added the tow hitch package and other accessories. It is just about to turn over 150,000 miles and the only repair I have had to do other than scheduled maintenance is the rear axle seals, and the radiator has a tiny leak in one corner that I will be fixing this winter.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
The Highlander/Sport models only differ in mostly cosmetic items but it does have the Limited's rims and the Sport seats are different than the SR5s (they are optional) and in '99 you definetly got the taller coils and the fog light option is standard with the Highlander.
Powerwise the 3.4 isn't really that great going over mountain passes but it'll hold highway speed fine and compared to the 3.0 in the 2nd gens it does feel like alot more than 30hp. I recently driove my friend's '95 4Runner and it feels dog slow compared to the 3.4.
There was a '99 Sport over on yotatech with under 100k oinn the odo and sold for $8500 and it was a steal.
Powerwise the 3.4 isn't really that great going over mountain passes but it'll hold highway speed fine and compared to the 3.0 in the 2nd gens it does feel like alot more than 30hp. I recently driove my friend's '95 4Runner and it feels dog slow compared to the 3.4.
There was a '99 Sport over on yotatech with under 100k oinn the odo and sold for $8500 and it was a steal.
pat161
New member
Yes the info you read was correct, a 2000 model w/ ABS will have daytime running lights. They are linked into the ebrake, so as soon as you release the ebrake they come on, then they stay on until you turn the truck off completely. This seems to be the case on autos and manuals as I had both. There were a few little things my SR5 Sport doesn't have that my 00 base did. On the 00 when I unlocked the doors w/ the remote the interior lights came on, the 02 does not do this. No big deal but I did like that feature. Also the 00 had auto locking doors, the 02 does not have this, which is nice.