Are rear seat latches supposed to lock?

[dingo]

Hmmm, I wonder do the 4runner with the third row seats have latches for the 2nd row seats.

I can answer this - yes. I have third row seats in my runner and the second row does have locking latches to secure the second row. What puzzles me is why the second row design is different from those without the third row seating option. The second row not only locks in the normal operating position, but also locks when the second row is folded forward. Even more interesting, the left and right headrests are like those of the front driver and front passenger seats. This kind of annoys me because everytime I look back to my right rear quarter before changing lanes, the headrest kinda blocks my view a little. Take a look at the official Toyota 4runner site and you'll see what I mean.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, though. Now I can go out and get the third row seats and set them in my cargo area. As long as the passengers riding back there weigh more than the seats, I will be good to go. After all, how could an improperly restrained seat pose any safety hazard?

I don't think you will able to add 3rd row seats that easy. Your 4runner either is built with it or not. The seat belt achors are permanently mounted to where the backup mirrors are. I do not have those convex back mirrors you guys have. Additionally, the 3rd row seats are anchored to the floor via locking latches and the floor itself is significantly different. It has visible anchors that you can cover up with included caps (check your owner's manual, you'll see what I mean). The 3rd row is also anchored and swivels via side latches/anchor points, this allows it to be folded up to the side. Annoyingly so too - it partially blocks the rearmost side windows in this position. Luckily I can detach them completely. NOTE: there are NO child latch anchors on the 3rd row. They are just simple seats.

Speaking of child restraint latch anchors, the second row (in the most retarded Toyota design IMHO) is offset for the left side. Let me explain...The second row's RIGHT child restraint anchors are on the ... well ... RIGHT side. The LEFT is offset, however, towards the center. In other words, the second row's LEFT child restraint latch anchors are positioned in such a way that the child seat would be partially on the left passenger and center position. To add stupid to stupid, the 2nd row's middle hump makes the child seat tilt off to the left. And yet the rear anchor points (on the backs of the seat) for the latches are in the same position as LEFT, CENTER, & RIGHT positions. WTF?! Confused? Good, I am too. Why the hell is it designed like this?! I am forced to attach my daughter's car seat on the righ side instead of the left side. And yet, 4runners w/o the 3rd row have second row latch anchors that are SYMMETRIC for left and right sides!? Again, see your manual for reference, it's in there.

I personally wish I never had the third row, but my wife insisted because we have small kids. It's great when they are used but most of the time their just folded in the back wasting space. Be warned, if you ever get 3rd row seats you will end up with ZERO cargo room. The 3rd row option also negates having the double decker system AND a tonneau cover. If it weren't for these damn 3rd row seats, I would be driving a Sport Edition instead (they didn't have a Limited with 3rd row available), but my family comes first. My next runner will be an SE (how I long for XREAS).

 

[Mark86]

When my truck was in for service, they had a 4Runner in the showroom with third row seats. In addition to everything that dingo mentioned, I also noticed that the 2nd row seatbacks can recline and slide forward or back. My 4Runner without third row seats cannot do that. Maybe the latches for the 2nd row are on all 4Runners and only models with the third row seats actually utilize them. Many car companies find it cheaper to produce all models the same even if they don't utilize that specific feature. For example, all 4Runners come with three cutouts for switches near the shifter. Not all models actually use all three slots though.