3rd Row Seat Removal

B

bigsp

New member
Well,

I just got me 2010 LTD with Nav and 3rd row seats. I didn't want the 3 row but, it was hard/impossible to find one with nav and no 3rd row seats.

Personally I can't see myself ever using them so, can they be easily removed? 2 is there any type of resale value for them? I am going to be putting in a TruckVault and then putting a dog box on top of that so this would be a huge help in giving me more room.

I guess my last question is could I easily remove them myself?

The only complaint I have with the truck is the 2nd row seats don't fold down very nicely. They ramp quite a bit and since the bottom doesn't pop up they are awfully thick. Other than that I love the car. I'm on my 4th tank of gas and am getting close to 21 on the Hwy with it.
 
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My suggestion would be to leave them folded flat. You are not going to gain any real useable space by removing them, especially if you add the vault.


bigsp said:
Well,

I just got me 2010 LTD with Nav and 3rd row seats. I didn't want the 3 row but, it was hard/impossible to find one with nav and no 3rd row seats.

Personally I can't see myself ever using them so, can they be easily removed? 2 is there any type of resale value for them? I am going to be putting in a TruckVault and then putting a dog box on top of that so this would be a huge help in giving me more room.

I guess my last question is could I easily remove them myself?

The only complaint I have with the truck is the 2nd row seats don't fold down very nicely. They ramp quite a bit and since the bottom doesn't pop up they are awfully thick. Other than that I love the car. I'm on my 4th tank of gas and am getting close to 21 on the Hwy with it.
Click to expand...
 
WhiskeyCop said:
My suggestion would be to leave them folded flat. You are not going to gain any real useable space by removing them, especially if you add the vault.
Click to expand...

If I can remove them I will gain about 5 inches of interior height. The vault because of the angle on the seats is going to be 10 inches high at the door. If I could get an extra 5 inches I could get a much larger dog crate in there.
 
bigsp said:
If I can remove them I will gain about 5 inches of interior height. The vault because of the angle on the seats is going to be 10 inches high at the door. If I could get an extra 5 inches I could get a much larger dog crate in there.
Click to expand...

Your best bet would be to find someone w/ the standard interior that would be willing to swap the whole back end. If you have black, I'd be willing to swap you. ;)
 
I have the 3rd row as well but do use it for my kids' friends now and then. I think removing them would be a pain in the a$$. For those who don't have them, the cargo floor is about 5 inches higher than the bumper. I looks integrated pretty good. The bummer thing too is the bottom of the 2nd row doesn't flip up, the back just fold down on them so it very shallow and ramps up a bit like Bigsp mentioned. Good luck, I am sure it can be done.
 

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I don't think the swap is as easy as a few panels and seats. I think there is an airbag system for the 3rd row and a few other differences. Also I think the suspension is a little beefier as the manual states the 3rd row versions hold 330 more pounds. This would be an awesome writeup if it turns out to be easy.

Marshall
 
bigsp,
If you have a tarp and occasionally cut branches, limbs, tree trunks, producing some potential weighty projectiles upon a needed rapid slowdown/stop...I've found the little bit of ramp helps a lot by adding a little wedge-effect to hold everything back....puts the mind at ease more than were it all flat...
fwiw

Steve
 
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3rd

bigsp said:
Well,

I just got me 2010 LTD with Nav and 3rd row seats. I didn't want the 3 row but, it was hard/impossible to find one with nav and no 3rd row seats.

Personally I can't see myself ever using them so, can they be easily removed? 2 is there any type of resale value for them? I am going to be putting in a TruckVault and then putting a dog box on top of that so this would be a huge help in giving me more room.

I guess my last question is could I easily remove them myself?

The only complaint I have with the truck is the 2nd row seats don't fold down very nicely. They ramp quite a bit and since the bottom doesn't pop up they are awfully thick. Other than that I love the car. I'm on my 4th tank of gas and am getting close to 21 on the Hwy with it.
Click to expand...

Taking it out is pretty easy just need the tools.

If you do a parts swap with someone else you have the easier job.

There is a video on YouTube how to remove the 3rd row just search 4runner 3rd row removal...

Lastly your 2nd row is that way because of you have a 3rd row. Non-3rd row runners don't have the sliders like yours so the bottom pops up.
 
Very easy to get the 3rd row out, IIRC it's about a dozen bolts or so, but what you are left with is the bare metal floor pan and a few threaded holes which need to be sealed.
You might be lucky enough to find someone who doesn't have the 3rd row and who willing to swap straight across, however you'll need to exchange everything from the back 2/3 of your truck. And whoever you trade with is going to have a hard time as the aforementioned threaded holes do not exist on those trucks that did not have the 3rd row from the factory.
Do not dispare though, it's fairly simple to level out the back after you ditch the extra weight, and the additional storage space is definitely a boon if properly utilized
 
bigspencer said:
bigsp,
If you have a tarp and occasionally cut branches, limbs, tree trunks, producing some potential weighty projectiles upon a needed rapid slowdown/stop...I've found the little bit of ramp helps a lot by adding a little wedge-effect to hold everything back....puts the mind at ease more than were it all flat...
fwiw

Steve
Click to expand...

Asugm13 said:
Taking it out is pretty easy just need the tools.

If you do a parts swap with someone else you have the easier job.

There is a video on YouTube how to remove the 3rd row just search 4runner 3rd row removal...

Lastly your 2nd row is that way because of you have a 3rd row. Non-3rd row runners don't have the sliders like yours so the bottom pops up.
Click to expand...

Jono.ful said:
Very easy to get the 3rd row out, IIRC it's about a dozen bolts or so, but what you are left with is the bare metal floor pan and a few threaded holes which need to be sealed.
You might be lucky enough to find someone who doesn't have the 3rd row and who willing to swap straight across, however you'll need to exchange everything from the back 2/3 of your truck. And whoever you trade with is going to have a hard time as the aforementioned threaded holes do not exist on those trucks that did not have the 3rd row from the factory.
Do not dispare though, it's fairly simple to level out the back after you ditch the extra weight, and the additional storage space is definitely a boon if properly utilized
Click to expand...

Thread is 7 years old my friends...
 
Jono.ful said:
yes, yes it is. tough to see all the details while viewing on my phone at work :cell::doh:
Click to expand...
Wouldn't the plastic back and side panels need tyo be swapped out as well? The AC outlet i think is in a different location as well. I have a 2013 limited with the 3rd row I want to remove as I don't need it at all.
 
RogueLTD said:
Wouldn't the plastic back and side panels need tyo be swapped out as well? The AC outlet i think is in a different location as well. I have a 2013 limited with the 3rd row I want to remove as I don't need it at all.
Click to expand...

I left my stock 3rs row side panels in, you'd have to look pretty closely to notice the gaps, but my drawers occupy most of the space, and I did start from a flat, black platform.
Post platform, pre-drawer:
IMG-20200831-192651.jpg
 
RogueLTD said:
Wouldn't the plastic back and side panels need tyo be swapped out as well? The AC outlet i think is in a different location as well. I have a 2013 limited with the 3rd row I want to remove as I don't need it at all.
Click to expand...

I have a 2013 that I'll swap you out with, I'm in SoCal (San Diego/OC).
 
Jono.ful said:
I left my stock 3rs row side panels in, you'd have to look pretty closely to notice the gaps, but my drawers occupy most of the space, and I did start from a flat, black platform.
Post platform, pre-drawer:
IMG-20200831-192651.jpg
Click to expand...
That looks good! I have the JBL sub in the back of mine so not sure if i'd end up with the same look.

Also, love that DeWalt light, I use mine all the time. I'm invested in the dewDeWaltalt lineup now with their 20V Max tools.
 
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RogueLTD said:
I'll definitely swap with you. My seats are leather and beige. Would you swap 2nd rows as well? I'm in the Antelope valley area. PM me.
Click to expand...

Won't let me PM you for some reason. Probably not going to work out lol, your Leather/beige is about as opposite as my seats haha! Mine are the Trail sport fabric and black.
 
If anyone is interested..

Everything you need for an actual, complete, ridiculously thorough third row swap (delete).
See this website for reference:

Actual, complete, ridiculously thorough third row swap completed. (Pic heavy)

I swapped with a dude on here for his 3rd row seat and 2nd row seat, no longer have a need for my 2nd row seat that folds flat. (Butt part folds up, back part folds flat.)

Literally every part is included, even the brackets you cant buy (the ones you need to spot weld in place)

What's included:
2nd row seats (gray and black softex)
Flat plane rear cargo bed (includes foam, carpet, and rubber floor mat)
both side wall interior trim panels (complete with those clips that break all the time)
Various other pieces you'll need for this swap.

Totally negotiable on price. Pick up only.
 
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