When the Series 5300 wasn't equipped with an electric rollsign, the train of this series was carrying a plate composed of three illuminable spaces on both side of the body, where a rollsign is currently placed, and when the train (Sakaisuji-Kyuko) was operated, the words "Sakaisuji" and "Express" were illuminated on the two of the three spaces, leaving a space unlit in between, such as '堺筋　急行' (the remaining space in between was used for the semi-express, which had been operated until the timetable revision made in March 2001, but when this series was used as a limited express no description was illuminated).
5300系の電動式表示幕が非装備だった時代は、車体側面の現在表示幕となっている部分には「堺筋　急行」と、表示可能な3か所のうち両端の2か所を点灯させて表示していた（残る1か所は2001年3月ダイヤ改正前まで設定のあった準急で、特急運用時には無表示）。