Making Rear Cargo Area Level With Seats When Folded Down

[Lexington]

Hi All

I have a 2016 4Runner TRD Pro. As many of you 4Runners already know, when you fold the middle seats down, the seats and rear cargo area are not level with each other. The rear cargo area sits about 3 inches below the seats. I want to raise the rear cargo area so that it is level with the folded seats. Does anyone know if there is a after market product that will make the rear cargo area level with the folded seats? The closet thing I could find at this point is the Toyota cabin divider with the sliding tray.

Toyota 4Runner Cargo Divider. Cargo Organizer. Flap, Shaped, Locked - PT9248910020 - Genuine Toyota Accessory

But I’m not sure if this makes the rear cargo level with folded seats. I tried going to the local dealer and they didn’t have any on display in new cars. If anyone has one of these trays I would appreciate some feedback.

Also, if anyone know of any aftermarket products or made their own contraption to level the back cargo area I would to hear from you as well.

Thanks

 

[KingTaco]

[MENTION=352938]Lexington[/MENTION] the divider you posted a link to will not do what you want to accomplish. Goose Gear does offer a couple options:
Products – Goose Gear
and many people have created their own:
Cargo area "flat plate" mod bolt holes
If you search "cargo plate" or "sleeping system" you will see many different approaches people have taken to fill that gap. It is possible to add the whole sliding cargo tray assembly, but I think the necessary parts from Toyota are something like $1300. Search "add sliding cargo tray" and you can get some more details on that, too. May get lucky and find someone selling theirs, too.

 

[Volke]

The sliding cargo tray option will give you a flat surface, but the divider you linked is just that little vertical piece at the front edge of the sliding cargo tray. The cargo tray is something you have to get separately, and it's not cheap to buy new from the parts department. IIRC, it's like $1600 for all the parts, which is really dumb because the option is only $350 from the factory.

Lots of people hate it, so you may be able to find someone to trade with if it's available in your region. If you're able to configure a 4Runner with the sliding tray on the website using your ZIP code, it's available in your region.

I'm trying to buy a new 4Runner with the tray right now, but it's not an option in the MN-WI-IL-IN region, so I have to talk to dealers in Iowa and Missouri or Michigan. Toyota is a real pain sometimes. Really ruining my shopping experience right now.

 

[daytonaviolet]

i believe you have two options. add the sliding tray as you mentioned. other option would be to add 3rd row seats. sliding tray would be the cheapest route.

 

[Lexington]

Hi Taco King

Thanks for the great info! I saw the Goose Gear product but I didn’t want to remove my seats to make it level. My first choice is to buy a aftermarket product but if I can’t I’ll make one.

If I end up having to make one I was thinking the same was as you did. I don’t want to use wood. I though of some type of carbon fiber board for the top and supported by a honeycomb underneath. I also don’t really need anything heavy duty either. I just want to be able to lay down flat for overnight camping.

Thanks again for the good info. It’s a great start.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

i believe you have two options. add the sliding tray as you mentioned. other option would be to add 3rd row seats. sliding tray would be the cheapest route.

The third row are not level by any means, they're not only 3-4 inches taller than the non-third row cargo area, but the mid row seats don't fold flat and are angled upwards, not the best picture but all I had handy

 

[Lexington]

Hi Daytonaviolet

Thanks for your reply.

The first photo you posted, does it have the 3rd row seat underneath or is it just the sliding tray?

 

[Lexington]

The third row are not level by any means, they're not only 3-4 inches taller than the non-third row cargo area, but the mid row seats don't fold flat and are angled upwards, not the best picture but all I had handy

Thanks for the info. I like the canvasback.

 

[Lexington]

By the way, if anyone is interested. Xprite make a sleeping pad for the 4Runner. It’s a bit pricey though.

https://xpriteusa.com/xprite-black-nitepad-premium-portable-sleeping-pad-cushion/

 

[daytonaviolet]

sliding tray only. no third row.

Hi Daytonaviolet

Thanks for your reply.

The first photo you posted, does it have the 3rd row seat underneath or is it just the sliding tray?

 

[daytonaviolet]

agreed it's not completely level. but it's more level then not having third row seats

this thread has more pictures

Folding 2nd Row Seats Flat

The third row are not level by any means, they're not only 3-4 inches taller than the non-third row cargo area, but the mid row seats don't fold flat and are angled upwards, not the best picture but all I had handy

 

[unsub1]

I'm trying to buy a new 4Runner with the tray right now, but it's not an option in the MN-WI-IL-IN region, so I have to talk to dealers in Iowa and Missouri or Michigan. Toyota is a real pain sometimes. Really ruining my shopping experience right now.

It was amazing how hard it was to get KDSS and the sliding cargo tray in Texas. Finally found a dealership that must have traded for one. I was ready to fly somewhere to buy.

 

[mteolus]

It was amazing how hard it was to get KDSS and the sliding cargo tray in Texas. Finally found a dealership that must have traded for one. I was ready to fly somewhere to buy.

I flew to Phoenix to get mine. Glad I did. Love the sliding rear cargo tray and KDSS.

 

[EffayBravo]

Honestly the easiest and cheapest way is to just make something yourself. I'm no carpenter but it only took me a weekend to build this rear platform and it has held up perfectly.

Measurements are roughly 43.25" Wide x 39" Deep x 3" Tall

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

Honestly the easiest and cheapest way is to just make something yourself. I'm no carpenter but it only took me a weekend to build this rear platform and it has held up perfectly.

Measurements are roughly 43.25" Wide x 39" Deep x 3" Tall

I'm planning on this route. How are you securing the table? Does it rattle when you're driving around town?

 

[EffayBravo]

I'm planning on this route. How are you securing the table? Does it rattle when you're driving around town?

You can use turnbuckles to secure it to the factory tie down rings. I never secured it though. I used MDF for the top platform so its super heavy and fits in pretty secure. No rattling or movement issues on or offroad at all.

 

[Volke]

It was amazing how hard it was to get KDSS and the sliding cargo tray in Texas. Finally found a dealership that must have traded for one. I was ready to fly somewhere to buy.

I'm looking for a white ORP with no moonroof, no KDSS, and sliding cargo deck. There is one in the US somewhere by the Boston port I'm told. I also have a trade in, so flying isn't an option. The Iowa and Missouri dealers are willing to special order, but none of them are able to get within $1000 of the price of my local dealer without it. Really considering just finding someone getting rid of it somewhere within a few hours drive and trading/buying from them. That will probably take a while to find though.

 

[90Duck]

cargo deck for the win

I'm looking for a white ORP with no moonroof, no KDSS, and sliding cargo deck. There is one in the US somewhere by the Boston port I'm told. I also have a trade in, so flying isn't an option. The Iowa and Missouri dealers are willing to special order, but none of them are able to get within $1000 of the price of my local dealer without it. Really considering just finding someone getting rid of it somewhere within a few hours drive and trading/buying from them. That will probably take a while to find though.

That is my exact unicorn of a 4Runner. I got everything on your list except the sliding cargo deck when new, but found one for sale on this forum for $200 within driving distance and then added it myself. There are threads that talk about how to do it - despite having to drill two holes, it is not a difficult job to add one in. The hardest part is finding someone selling one.

It makes everything totally flat in the back when the rear seats are folded plus you get the bonus of some added storage areas underneath it and between the back seats and the deck.

 

[MeefZah]

Build a 'pallet' that is 2.5" tall. One piece of plywood and some 2x2 strips and a handful of screws. $30-ish.

Mine - similar to Effay Bravo's setup but not as refined:

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Depends on your need...for a temporary leveling (aka sleeping in back), I purchased 4 corrugated packing boxes for Home Depot that when folded flat and stacked are roughly the same size as the back area....and are perfectly level. Come home, remove them for the next trip.



$12 “mod”

That’s a great idea. Something like that seems like the easiest solution. Throw something like that down and then a thick mattress pad or thick foam topper. Sleeping bag over that and you’d prob be pretty comfortable.


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