I am looking at 4runners, 4th gen. I always wanted a 4 runner. the i have a kid, for the second row seat, but i have 2 labs that are 75 pounds, i know of kits i can get to put rails for the back, anyone have comments about the space in the third row area for 2 large dogs? honda pilots seem to have more space back there, but i really like 4runners. any info appreciated.
thanks

I have a 80lb Choc/black lab, and had (RIP) a 75lb pitt, plenty of room in the back for both of them, plus they love the rear window half down

Plenty of room back there for a couple of labs. And a couple 50 lb bags of dry dog food!

I have a 60 lb Australian Shepherd and he loves the back area. Loves the rear window too.

I once had him, and my mom's dogs, a 100 lb or so Great Dane/Mastiff mix, a 50 lb Chow mix, a small lab, and a husky back there all at once. lol Granted it wasn't for more than a mile or two though when we took my mom's dogs hiking, and it was a tight fit. And the seats were not folded down. I've had the small lab, my aussie, and the husky back there for a few hours before while driving aorund. No problems.

I think two large labs would be fine....As long as they like each other.

I have 2 8 yr old labs (65 & 70 lbs.) and a miniature dachshund. They all fit back there and love it. I raise the headrests to keep them in the back and crack the windows if we leave them in the 4Runner

I have a 45lb pointer/mutt and a 55lb yellow lab and they have no problem with space in the back. I've had up to 4 50lb dogs in the back and plenty of space for them. Usually they jump around for a little while but once they settle down they just sleep all over each other. Only issue I have had besides hair is if they haven't had their nails trimmed in a while they can scratch the plastic pretty easily.

Anyone have suggestions for a barrier though in the back? If I have the dogs in the back and stop for something I usually come back to them in the front seat, would like to put a stop to that.

Definitely recommend a barrier. My dog always ends up in the drivers seat when i get out. He likes to pretend its his T4R. lol. I had a metal cage type barrier given to me and the dang thing rattles so bad, esp off road. I had to take it out. I try the head rest up method too. My dog is crafty though. I'd like a cargo net style barrier-no noise.

The third row seating on the 4Runner is optional. The majority of 4Runners do not have the third row option.

The third row is good for kids or very short trips if you're stuffing adults back there. I didn't find the third row comfortable on the GX and I don't think 4Runner's is any different. The problem is the lack of leg room, your knees are in your face. Even on the Land Cruiser and Sequoia, it was marginally acceptable and I probably wouldn't want to be back there for more than an hour.

Here are pics of what the third row looks like:
3rd Row Seat Pics Needed

Sorry, I can't provide any insight into the space constraints with regards to two big dogs - I have 1 miniature poodle that rides on the seat.

However, with regards to your choice of the vehicles... Honda Pilot and 4Runner are two completely different vehicles.

HP is a crossover, on-road-driving only SUV; a glorified minivan built for soccer moms. So if you are looking at it only from utilitarian point of view, Honda Odyssey provides even more cargo space, auto sliding passenger doors on both sides, easily stowed 2nd and 3rd row seats, etc... But, its totally So Gay

T4R, on the other hand, is a body-on-frame, off-road capable SUV that can take you, your kid, and your dogs to the places that you would never get to in HP.

3rd row seats are relatively rare in 4Runners, and you probably would be better off without it. I completely agree with what Uneek wrote - 3rd row seating is only usable for kids. My 17 year old no longer likes it - the only reason he would ride in the 3rd row is because the car seat for my younger boy takes up a lot of room in the 2nd row.

We routinely travel with our two Malinois, about 70# each and long-haired dachshund, mal's go in back, doxie in rear bench....load luggage on other half of rear seat....700 miles to Ga, no issues

As stated above...you will have plenty of room. I have a 80lb lab and a german shepherd that ride in the back of mine.

thanks for the input. i dont think i was clear about the cargo space. i am not interested in third row seats though. i was only referencing third row AREA(as stated in post) , because i meant the cargo space available while the second row seats were still up....


g8r4runner: thanks for the answer, that was exactly what i was after. as a matter of fact, we have a doxie as well, so it applies.

03blkrunner: i found this (photo attached ) online, will try and get manufacturer if interested, a kit for dog liners. you can also get vinyl to even put on the headliner so that hair doesnt adhere to the headliner, i have hair problems all the time....

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glad I could help, i've owned tundras, JGC's, an xc90...the 4R is by far my fav vehicle, except the 79 blazer i wish i hadn't traded in after i finished school.....oh how i'd love to have that back....oh well!

I have the precision pet barrier and it works great. It doesn't rattle at all and is very easy to remove and set up again if you need to take it out for any reason. This deal is pretty good right now too:

Precision Pet VehicleBarrier & Extension Bar Available Online from PETCO.com

Here is what it looks like in a car:

We've been hauling two dogs (70lbs each) in our 2004 since we bought it and they don't seem to mind. We've never had a reason to get a barrier behind the 2nd row. We also had a 2007 Honda Pilot and there is more room and it's lower to the ground, but we preferred the handling/capabilities of the t4r. Some pictures:

Attached Images