We signed paperwork last night to purchase the Trail in Shoreline Blue. If the dealer cannot locate our vehicle, it may have to be a "factory order". We requested that they "delete" the sliding cargo deck.

* Has anyone successfully received a Trail without that stupid sliding deck?

* Does anyone know if I'll be able to remove this sliding deck on my own?

* Does anyone have pictures of how they removed the deck and what they did to make it look like it was never there?

I have a large dog and I really don't think he's going to like being on this silly thing...plus he likes to curl up in the back corner of our old truck and with the sliding deck...there are "voids" in the back corners where the deck stops and the actual bottom of the truck cargo area is.

Any and all help, and suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks.

I strongly suggest you do a search and skim the 5th gen threads.

There has been a lot of discussion on this.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...eout-tray.html

If I recall, Harper ripped his out and posted pics and directions.

I'll agree with you - I took one look at that thing and realized how much space you lose, and ordered mine without (SR5). Glad I did.

Boy it makes the greatest baby changing table you have ever seen. With a newborn I couldn't imagine not having it now. I also am glad I have it for my ARB Fridge.

I did do a search first for the Sliding cargo deck and could not find anything...guess I should have called it a tray...but thanks for the "board useage" tip, and thanks for the link. I'll search by "tray"

That's a great point Aggie about using it as a changing table...I could see how that would be great...if I had a baby, which I don't...and I won't. But I think Toyota would do well to market it as such.

Philsey,
I'll do a search for Harper and see if I can find those pictures. Glad to hear that someone has ripped it out successfully.

Thanks All...new to the boards here and excited about my purchase. I had a '99 3rd generation 5-speed that I LOVED and should have NEVER gotten rid of. I wasn't a big fan of the 4th generations, but I am EXCITED to get back into a 4Runner!

I don't recall that he "ripped it out successfully" for sure. He may have put it back.

Here ya go.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...n-limited.html

Also, my dealer couldn't find the 4runner I wanted, it took me about 30 minutes of emailing to find it on my own (they then could trade for it, funny how that works). I would check around unless you want a very specific option package and you may be able to find one.

Thanks philsey...I read through some of that...I'll let my husband handle all the technical stuff.

Husker - thanks, I could do that but to be honest, I went in to do the paperwork knowing that I need a little more time to gather some money for all I want to put down on it. I'm waiting for Uncle Sam to return some money that he owes me :-)

OMG I didn't even think about using it as a changing table. What a great idea!

I'm glad someone else wants to get rid of that stupid thing!

We have a 100lb Bernese Mountain Dog, and that cargo deck will just make it annoying for her to lay back there.

I talked to my dealer about taking it out before I bought it and he gave me the old "yea I don't know. I could talk to the parts guy about the parts" but he never really did anything.

It is easy enough to take the tray out, but you need to replace the carpet below it with the "flat" carpet, if that makes sense. If I estimated correctly, for the carpet and clips and everything, you'd be looking at close to $1000 to get the 'normal' cargo area.

I am planning on going to the dealer at some point to verify the part numbers and pricing. Also I was hoping to find someone on here that wants the cargo tray to help offset the cost of the new parts.

It does make a heckuva tailgate table!!! Other than tailgating, its a bit annoying. My old lady is loving it... Especially for football season!!!

It does work well as a baby changing table--have used it a lot for my 2 1/2 year old and my 5 month old. Other than that, I haven't found the sliding tray very useful. Once the kids are a little older, I plan on removing the sliding tray and installing third row seats.

i'm debating on getting some high traffic carpet....and getting some of that padding to go underneath, and cutting it around the tray to make the deck flat. that way the padding will go where it needs to, and if i want to remove it to utilize the tray i can.

The sliding cargo deck is one of the most useful things about my new 4Runner. I personally love it and everyone who has seen it has thought of all kinds of benefits to having it. I don't see how it takes up very much room, you lose a couple inches in height, but do you really stuff your cargo area so much that you can't see out of the back window? If so, why not just buy a van?

the height of it doesnt bother me...i carry a portable toolkit and a couple of other minor things in teh back........i'm still trying to figure out how to situate it without the stuff sliding EVERYWHERE. even if i put the toolkit behind the sliding tray, it will shift one way or another then it crashes over at inopportune moments (yes i know i could remove it but i believe in being prepared). thats my only dilemma.