So if all goes well and my wife doesn't throw any 11th hour gas mileage tantrums, I'll be the very happy owner of a 2010 4Runner Limited w/about 30K on it by the end of the week. Trading in my 1998 Nissan Pathfinder that's been far and wide with me long enough to circle the earth more than 8 times, as well as a Camry that's well, just a Camry And I'm getting it for a great deal!

The one thing...the removable tray in the trunk I'd rather do without. I certainly don't want a 3rd row of seats in its place, but I think I'd just prefer a completely flat cargo area.

Is it difficult to remove the tray? The Toyota sales rep told me they can't be removed, but I don't believe him. (He also thought the tray can hold 3,000 pounds and lied to me about all kinds of details I knew better about from reading this forum and researching the specs on Toyota's site.)

Anyway, if anyone's taken theirs out, I'd love to hear any thoughts on how challenging it was to remove, and if you wound up with a clean, totally flat cargo area underneath it.

1. Congrats on the runner! (hopefully it happens!)

2. I would give the tray a chance. I originally thought the same thing - that it was just in the way and taking up space and I wouldn't use it - but after you use it a few times you really start liking it. Also, with the cargo tray, the whole floor is flat when you fold down the second row of seats. If you remove the tray, there will be a dip from the second row to the rear cargo space.

3. If you still decide to take it out... here you go: Removed the Rear Sliding Tray-5TH Gen Limited


Enjoy it!

I'm with you, Lewis&Clark - I've got about 2months of using(?) my sliding tray and it will come out

Sweet, thanks! Didn't realize it folds totally flat WITH the tray. That's quite surprising, actually. But good to know, because wanting a totally flat space is the main reason I wanted it out.

I'll be going to see the car tomorrow (been hunting for the right car/deal for some time now and finally found one. It's gray/black and not shoreline/black, but I'll still take it ), and will play with it then. But this is great to know.

Right. If you take it out, you will have to build the back up with something to make it flat again.

I hated mine at first, but I adapted the way I use my gear boxes in the back and now I use it all the time.

And what have you learned/experienced with your sliding tray in those 2 months? Any observations to share? Why have you concluded it needs to go?

The problem is that it occupies just the center of the rear area, and it does not go all the way to the back seats. There is about a 5-6'' area which also folds up to put things inside that is right up against the seats. So if you have items that are resting on the tray, but also rest on the area closest to the rear seats, or on the sides, it can be a pain to pull the tray out and put it back again.

Also, the strap anchors are not on the tray, so if you want to tie something down back there you have to unstrap it to slide it out.

It comes in handy when you are putting something heavy back there or a lot of smaller items. Since the 4Runner doesn't have a tailgate it can save the brittle rear bumper a little bit.

You will just have to see it for your self and see if you would like it or not. Like I said, I hated it at first, but I just changed some stuff around a bit, and it works fine for me.

Damn! They sold the car last night. Back to the drawing board again