Lost something down tool access panel...how can I retrieve?

[403 BarcaRed]

I was storing something small in the tool access panel in the back of truck, anyways it fell down past the metal supports that hold the tools and jack, and now who knows where it is, is there any way to access this area?

 

[Jeremy556]

There is an exhaust vent under the bumper cover that you can pop out.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Mechanic's magnet

 

[BlackPhillip]

I was storing something small in the tool access panel in the back of truck, anyways it fell down past the metal supports that hold the tools and jack, and now who knows where it is, is there any way to access this area?

That entire lower panel can come out. I had to mostly remove it when replacing my rear seat belts. It's ~5 screws and then 5-10 retaining clips that will simply pull out with enough pressure/force to get the whole things out. You probably dont need to remove the whole thing. Just enough be able to move it and to locate the escaped tool. Start from the back near the hatch. You may have to peel back the weatherstripping a bit to gain access and start popping out the pressure clips. It was very easy/straightforward. Could do it again in less than 5 minutes if I had to.

The reference thread I used is here.

Seat belt replacement

 

[Mudhorn]

I took off the exhaust vent and the drain plugs underneath to fish out what I dropped down there. PITA
Probably faster to remove the panels inside looking back at it.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Mechanic's magnet

what drugs are magnetic???? asking for a friend (DEFINITLY NOT THE OP):fear:

 

[CutthroatSlam]

LOL, I assumed it was sort of nut or bolt because that’s what I always drop while working on them. I jumped past the “storing something small.” I do hope he gets his medical marijuana out of there.

 

[TexasTJ]

I lost a wheel lock key down there, it's still hanging out :X

 

[1jzgte]

what drugs are magnetic???? asking for a friend (DEFINITLY NOT THE OP):fear:

he was smugglign covid vaccines

 

[Cheers!]

old pantyhose slipped over a vacuum like a condom.

 

[honda250xtitan]

he was smugglign covid vaccines

? theyre literally paying people to take that:flypig:

 

[V8Man]

old pantyhose slipped over a vacuum like a condom.

that's a great idea, but I don't know anyone that wears panty hose any longer or if you could ever buy them.

I know if a store has them, I wouldn't buy them and don't want that in my Amazon history either :wink2:

 

[4realz]

I took off the exhaust vent and the drain plugs underneath to fish out what I dropped down there. PITA
Probably faster to remove the panels inside looking back at it.

I know this is an old thread but this happened to me this week. Still haven't solved it and it's driving me bananas. Lost two locking lug nuts down there. So I tried the panel removal thing with no success because they rattled down the deep dark recess to the rear of the metal plates and sound like they settled somewhere forward. I didn't seem to be able to get below the metal supports/plates even by removing most of the panel.

Magnet didn't work because the whole damn thing is metal so the magnet goes nowhere.

 

[Humble Leader]

I know this is an old thread but this happened to me this week. Still haven't solved it and it's driving me bananas. Lost two locking lug nuts down there. So I tried the panel removal thing with no success because they rattled down the deep dark recess to the rear of the metal plates and sound like they settled somewhere forward. I didn't seem to be able to get below the metal supports/plates even by removing most of the panel.

Magnet didn't work because the whole damn thing is metal so the magnet goes nowhere.

go to around 6 minutes in this video. maybe you can get your hand in going through the storage tray area. this guy shows how to remove the trays. probably easier than trying to go through the access cubby

Adding constant power to rear of 5th Gen 4Runner - YouTube