Well, soon anyway. Heres what has been decided. Looks like a 1999 to 2001 model is what im looking for. Black for a 1st choice, Imperial Jade Mica for a 2nd and Blue Stellar Pearl for a 3rd choice.
I think im going for a leather interior SR5 with sport/highlander package. 4 wheel drive will be a plus but not necessary. I want all color keyed bumpers, flares and cladding and running boards. I have a lead on a Jade Mica one, but dont have a price on it nor do I know for sure thats its for sale. Ive also got a 2 other dealer guys looking for me. One from the Saturn dealership who sold me my 94 truck. They will look for and sell any used vehicle. Ive checked autotrader online and got a few leads to call about.

A few questions: Do all the 4 runners of that year range come with running boards, or is it an option you have to ask for? Will the sport package automatically give me 16" wheels and the 13" disk brakes?

Out of the 99 to 01 models, which year is preferred? Thanks.

 

Running boards are not standard issue, and are an option for any given year.

The Highlander/sport packages always come with the larger wheels.

The only year the blue was offered on the sports was 2002.

I'll put in another plug for the '99 Highlanders as 4Runners were lowered for 2000+ models, but since 4WD isn't a concern of yours, that won't matter. Any of the years you picked would be great.

The 1999 Highlanders don't have a solid color front bumper. They have black/charcoal or whatever trim as well.

I would think leather would be a very hard to find combination with these models.

 

Are you sure you want color keyed bumpers? I'm just asking because personally I like the chrome bumpers better. It makes it look more distinguished ( not to rip on anyone with color keyed bumpers tho, just my opinion).

 

Ok, this explains a few things. Some runners ive seen have running boards and some dont. The boards are a must. Wife likes them and so do I.

Color keyed bumpers. I like them the same color as the vehicle. I think that this will knock out the 99 models. That explaines why ive seen some sport models with lighter colored charcoal bumpers. All my vehicles so far, with the exception of the 90 4 runner, have had a lot of chrome on them. Im ready for the more sporty look of the monochromatic color scheme. Kind of like the difference between my 1987 Grand Prix (lots of chrome) and the 87 Montie Carlos SS (no chrome). The addition of the chrome looks good and upscale,and can go on into the BLING but the no chrome says "silent sleeper". Watch out....Im gonna get ya.

I have seen a few so far (one at a local dealer) that was all color keyed and had leather interior. It was a Jade Mica color. I did see a black limited on the road the other day. If im not mistaken, it was all black, including the grill too. It looked SHARP!!! What confused me about it though was the grill. I thought all limiteds had a chrome grill? Maybe not, or maybe it was self customed. Anyway, I may have to go with the cloth interior and maybe have a local shop do a leather upgrade for me. Well see.
Any other thoughts?

 

I have a 2001 Sport edition.... It has the color keyed bumpers... (well before the accident) but it will again when they put the new ones on... =) anyways... and its a black 4runner... hood scoop, and everything but the leather... I took my running boards off... because I offroad...... It definatley looks sweet.... just a $#@$ to keep clean....

But yea they are out there somewhere.... since your not offroading (it sounds like) then I wont offer my opinions what to look for....

 

I was looking at a Black 99 Sport in December that had leather and a rear locker. It was blacked out - bumpers etc. I think they are out there, just a little rare.

 

This is my first toyota...

When I went out buying... all I heard was make sure it had a locker... so what did i do? I ran out and got my black sport with the hood scoop.... and the running boards.... looked inside, yup... a locker button....

.... I didnt know that it was a "center" locker... not a rear... damn.. my mistake... now i gotta buy one... sigh


One of the selling points for my wife was the running boards.... I removed them... she still asks when I am going to put them back on... I tell her as soon as I get 300 for sliders lol...

 

Curious, what is the reason for removing running boards?

And aren't bumpers and flares paintable? I like the color keyed look too and will probably ask around body shops what they can do. Seems like it would be trivial to remove and paint all chrome.

 

Let's just say you need to take your 4Runner off the pavement to find out.

 

Williemon,

Whew! Was thinking you might by the PT Cruiser!

If you buy the 99 or certain 00s, make sure you that the fuel gauge problem is fixed. If you search the threads here on TSB EL010 or "fuel gauge", some members here had to pay out of pocket for the fix. And i think it was over $500. Make sure its fixed b/f your purchase or make sure they'll pay for it as part of the purchase price.

Phong has the scans (provided by yours truly) on his website at phorunner.com. Look under his TSB/recall section.

Bob

 

 

 

Yall got the idea!!! THATS what I want! But I gotta have the running boards. No, it wont get wheeled. Maybe I will go for...................A SUPERCHARGER!!!

Anybody know just how much I might can sell my 90 for? The NADA and KBB and Edmunds are around the 4000 to 6000 range. I assume thats for a 4 runner with 13 years of wear. Over the past couple of years though, its had a new paint job with PPG base clear, starter, ball joints and PS pump replaced. The DOA modified heads and cams and all injectors cleaned and flow tested and the full intake system cleaned while it was apart. Full tune up and full 2.5" exhaust with high flo cat and dynomax muffler. In all, Ive put in over 5000.00 worth of fixups and mods over the past couple years. Id hate to know that I could only get around 5000.00 out of it when I sell. Anybody have any ideas what this 90 would be worth? Thanks everyone.

 

Im sure there are ppl out there willing to sell their running boards... I dunno how much they go for now adays, but I dont plan on putting mine back on... so Im thinking I may sell mine soon... so if you dont find what you want with boards im sure you could get them... chances are though the sport or highlander package, they already got em on...

 

couple of months back we were looking for a 4runner and saw a listing for a 2002 Sports Edition 2WD in Thundercloud Metallic. At the time, we didn't know what the Sports Edition offered nor heard of the Thundercloud color. When the seller pulled up, we were pleasantly surprised

If you like hood scoop, 16" tires, color keyed everything, fender flares, skid plate, integrated fog lights (exterior) and metallic dash, sports seats (interior), then go for the Sports Edition. My wife was not a fan of the Oak dash of the Ltds.

I've grown to like the Thundercloud more than black. It's like a blend of silver and gray. My wife thinks it looks classier than black. She says blacks are for mobsters

This one had the gray leather sports seats. I miss that it's not 4WD, but the 2WD has done fine for roadtrips and hauls to Home Depot. The price was just too good to pass up considering it was practically like new.

Check out the additional pics in my signature. It'll give you another perspective on color.

 

That IS a nice color Bozo. I like the gray interior. If you dont mind saying, how much did you have to give for that Runner?

 

1999 4Runner SR5 4WD w/ Sport Package...

Black, Leather, Auto, but 124k Miles...

Asking $11995

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2420882324

 

Not only do the hang-up and cause body damage off road, they are also a trap for mud, salt and all manner of slop. Do a search on here, find the picks Joey posted when he cleaned under his "catch-alls" It's the only place I have rust on my rig.

 

williemon - paid a little over $22K for it.....it may seem high to some, but it was a practically new 02 4runner (had 11K miles). The sunroof was a plus too. Oh, and it came with the extended care warranty up to 7 yr/100K which would have cost another $1K.