3rd row or no 3rd row?

[Pearl<3]

My husband and I are considering buying a 4R and he thinks the 3rd row isn't necessary. I don't plan on using it often, but think it will be useful in the future. Is it possible to purchase it with the 3rd row and remove it when not in use (so that there isn't any added weight)

The more info the better =)

:thanks:

 

[SeattleMike]

My husband and I are considering buying a 4R and he thinks the 3rd row isn't necessary. I don't plan on using it often, but think it will be useful in the future. Is it possible to purchase it with the 3rd row and remove it when not in use (so that there isn't any added weight)

The more info the better =)

:thanks:

It's possible, but not practical. Taking it out would leave the metal floor exposed. If you rarely need a 3rd row, maybe rent a minivan for the occasion.

 

[Pearl<3]

FORD is not an option. I'm 5'2 and I usually end up in the back if need be.
Is the car really that rugged? I was trying to compromise and thought it would be a good car to have in the future (kids, family, etc.)

 

[treyb]

We are a family of 4 w/ an SR5 w/ 3rd row and absolutely love it. We only use the 3rd row infrequently (approx. 8-10 times / year for short/30-45 min trips), but when we do use it, we are glad that we have that feature. My kids fit fine in the back seat, and my wife and I can comfortably sit back there, although we are both shorter adults (5'6" and 5'3"). I wouldn't select this vehicle if I was planning on using the 3rd row more frequently than this or for longer trips or if I was taller than say 5'8"-10", in which case I would have looked at a Yukon, Sequoia, or Armada. When it's not in use, it folds flat in the back and I don't think it takes up that much of the cargo room as compared to an SR5 w/o the 3rd row (maybe a few inches higher in back). Still have plenty of room for vacations/trips with the family and all of our gear and have the ability to take along a few extra folks when needed. If you are looking for a rugged 4WD SUV capable of real off-road use, with available 3rd row seating, that can tow a 5000 lbs., then the 4Runner is probably the best in class option, IMHO. Beleive me, I looked at just about every available vehicle on the market that fits this description and once I saw and test drove my 4Runner, my search was done!

 

[Snowfox]

Me too are family of 4, I have yet use the 3rd Row seat, i left it down so we get a large cargo but if we ever need it, it is there.

 

[mrdaugherty]

We have the 3rd row in our limited and it is nice to have on the occasion someone needs a ride. Or the time when kids just don't want to sit by each other, we have 3. Typically it stays covered by a Husky liner. The kids have no issues riding back there. We also have a van which we use for trips more than a couple hours.

 

[philsey]

... Is it possible to purchase it with the 3rd row and remove it when not in use (so that there isn't any added weight)

The more info the better =)

:thanks:

IMO this would be a bad plan. Possible? yeah, but very impractical. It's not like a minivan whose 3rd rows are designed for that. Plan on just folding them down if not in use.

 

[bp4runner]

Get the 3rd row, on our 4runners it don't take any room from the 2nd row and it folds completely flat! its quite impressive.

 

[Pearl<3]

Thanks!

 

[Dlak]

re

Thanks!

I didnt think we would need it but glad we got it on our limited. Like they said it fold flat and doesnt take up much space and is very handy to have. I will be using it once again on our trip to Moab this year once I get the roof rack to load the stuff up top.

 

[jduck]

I selected 3rd row for the occasion that i have my nieces and newphew with my family of 5.
The kids love the 3rd row and fight over who gets to sit back there..especially in the summer when i can roll the back window down.
I must admit, it does look like fun.

 

[scagin]

We are a family of 6 and I love the third row. The back to the 2nd row middle seat folds down independently of the other seats which makes it easy for my kids to climb into the 3rd row while leaving carseats in the side seats of the 2nd row. I do have a minivan for my first car, but I do have four kids. Even with less kids I would opt for the 3rd row for when your kids' friends come along. It doesn't really hurt your cargo space once folded flat.

 

[CApilot78]

3rd Row in 4Runner

WE have the third row in our SR5 and have used it a few times. I tried to fit a 6'0 high school student back there and it didn't work. I am 6'2 and it didn't work. Your pax need to be 5'0 or shorter.

The 3rd and 2nd row don't align when folded down. I have slept in the 4runner, but had to use an inflatable mattress pad and stuffed a couple pillows in the gap to make it semi "level"

If you were ever in a rear end collision with anything larger than a Yugo and someone was in the third row, they would be really hurting (see pics of 4runner vs Ford Truck a month ago. Your head pretty much rests against the glass.

When my wife hauls more than 3 kids, the neighbors kids get to sit in the back

 

[ArcticEd]

I got the 3rd row mainly for kids & that's about all it's good for. I'll use it until they get too big & have an idea to remove it/make a platform to replace it in the future (no specific plans).

When folded down the 3rd row is VERY strong - I've had hundreds of pounds of logs in the back (to the point where the top of the back tire almost disappeared) and had no problems at all.

When laid flat you can store some things (small) under the seat back because the seat itself leaves a gap. This is a blessing for storage space but when you put a lot of stuff in the back (like logs, for example) any trash/dirt/etc ends up in those 3rd row seats.

I like it & don't regret the choice.

 

[0runner]

the new explorer is no longer body on frame. hence, unlikely a competitor to the 4runner.

also I would imagine the 3rd row seat adds a lot of weight to the truck & it goes unused most of the time.

 

[the V]

Can you get the 3rd row and the sliding deck together? Guessing no?

 

[mountaineer83]

Can you get the 3rd row and the sliding deck together? Guessing no?

No because you would have to remove it every time you wanted to flip the 3rd row seats up.

With the seats in the upright position, there is only about a foot of room behind them.

 

[the V]

No because you would have to remove it every time you wanted to flip the 3rd row seats up.

With the seats in the upright position, there is only about a foot of room behind them.

thanks Mountaineer, figured as much. With the 3rd row not being fully flat anyway guess it couldnt even lay over it