Any negatives to the 3rd row?

[Sporin]

I'm looking at three 4Runners (and a Tahoe because it's really clean and extremely well priced) at a dealership on the next couple of days and one of the 4R's has the 3rd row.

Having a kid means I occasionally could use that extra seating. But is there any negative? I know the 2nd row is a little different. Looks like the seats fold up sideways. Ideally I'd leave just one in there and put the other in my garage. Leaving room for a dog crate on the other side.

http://iphone.toyotakeene.com/index...nner-7cdb31eb0a0a00491003b61c5e330ab8_p_2Ehtm


That particular one has been on their lot the longest and is an undesirable color (tan, IMO) so I'm thinking I might be able to really deal on it.

 

[c_mack9]

WTF? I had no idea the 4th gen ever even offered a 3rd row.

 

[ColoMike01]

I have the 3rd row and you can either fold them up or remove them completely.... unless your a child there is no leg room at all and even for me and can get tight back that and I am only 5'3"... LOL!!! Mine stay out most of the time since I have a dog that dogs along often.

Mike...

 

[earthrealm]

they r removable, cons - if you have cloth seats and you ever want to buy clazzios or any other decent cover...u will not be able to, cos the 60/40 split is reversed in the 2nd row seats and clazzios n the other seat cover makers dont make seperate covers to fit the 2nd row

 

[Sporin]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.

 

[shifthis]

I don't believe the rear seats recline in the non-3rd row model. So even if you don't use the 3rd row, just being able to recline the 2nd row seating is worth it. My 2005 non 3rd row did not recline but my 2006 with a 3rd row recline.

 

[Jailguard]

I have the 3RD row in mine and the seats do recline both the second and 3RD row. The seats fold up like the older style Land cruisers but are very light and easy to remove. As said before they are kid size and when I say Kid I mean under 5 feet tall. You have enough room behind the 3RD row to keep a decent size tool box or in my case a Duty bag. On the last school trip I was able to take 5 rug rats in my truck with no problem, (All 7 YEAR OLD GIRLS). Then that weekend folded up the seats and loaded up the truck for a range trip. If you want that little extra room just flip two switches and the seats come out and are fairly light.

 

[Martinjmpr]

How easy is it to remove the 2nd row on 3 row models?

One thing I like about the non-3rd row models is that it's super easy to remove the bottom cushions from the 2nd row seats for more storage space. 4 bolts and the bottom cushions come out.

When I looked at the Sequoia, it appeared that the 2nd row seat was a fold-and-tumble type where the whole seat would have to come out as a single unit: Very heavy! IIRC the 3-row 4runners have a similar type of 2nd row seat but I'm not sure.

Anyway, that would be my only concern but then again, that's because I use my 4runner as a camper and need the extra length to sleep in the back (I'm 6'1" so I just barely fit with the seat bottom cushions out.)

 

[shifthis]

Its the same, fold and tumble.

 

[Sporin]

I never got to see the one with the 3rd row, it was sold before I got down there.

Have looked at 3 other 4R's and rejected each one for one reason or another. Still hunting.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

the only disadvantage I could see would be everybody wanting to take "your car since it has 3rd row seats"! Lol

 

[CookieRoe]

I saw a runner with the 3rd row and studied it (to add/modd mine). I think its worthless. We have a 2 year old and when we head to the beach or to a small family reunion (sleepover), there is no room. For a stroller or piece of luggage or both. WTF is the point of having a mid sized SUV if you can't put your stuff in the back? Having the 3rd row greatly reduces your storage capacity. Now, in a Sequioa, plenty of roon behind the 3rd row, in a Runner, not so much.

My 2 cents.

 

[asimdada]

My 3rd row seat has been quite handy. My friend's 2 9-year old's were quite comfy back there, and had some space left at the very back as well.
Most of the time, I just fold them up sideways for more cargo space. Overall, I'm pretty happy to have a 3rd row option.

 

[jambone]

The rig I bought has the 3rd row seats. I don't think I cared either way when I was looking. We have used the 3rd row on several occasions, mostly kids coming to/from lacrosse games. A full-sized adult will not be comfortable back there, but kids up to 5' tall or so will be fine, as long as it's not a long road trip.

The 3rd row seats are easy to remove, and they do spend a fair amount of time in my garage. Sometimes I leave 1 in as a jump seat, just in case we need to bring an extra kid home from practice.

The 2nd row folds forward to create more cargo space - just pull 1 lever on the side of the seat, and the seat back folds forward, then the whole seat pivots forward into the footwell.

Models with the 3rd row option don't have the mirrors on the inside of the D pillars. I've never driven one with those mirrors, so I don't know what I'm missing. Also, the seatbelts in the wayback can rattle around, even when tucked into their clips. Not a biggie to me though.