Past 4th gen owner, now a 3rd gen owner...3rd row on 4th gen?

[2000runr]

I purchased a 3rd gen in 2000, drove it until 2004 when I gave it to my brother and bought an 04 ltd. It was a shock going from 3rd to 4th gen. I did not enjoy the 4th gen, primarily because at hwy speeds the steering wheel shook. After trying new tires, realignments, you name it the problem was never fixed, i sold the runner, and 3 yrs ago bought the 3rd gen back from my brother. I had done a ridiculous amount of mods on it, and love it, but am looking for something with a practical 3rd row. Does anyone out there drive a sport edition with a 3rd row, and does anyone have any feedback on the practicality of the 3rd row in the runner. Is it removable or fold flat?

 

[joeveto]

3rd Row

I have an SR5 with the 3rd row (and factory moonroof -- which I thought was impossible), and I really like it. We have 5 kids, so it really comes in handy. In a pinch, we've fit 8 of us in the 4Runner. The rear seats can be in place for seating, folded flat for additional cargo space, flipped up for even more space (or longer items), or they can be removed altogether. All operations with the third row (flipping down flipping up, etc.) are easy.

On a road trip, I've even had them flipped up and then slept back there.

So I guess you can say I'm a fan of the 3rd row seating...

 

[2000runr]

thank you very much for that response, that was a big help!!! glad to know i wont have to move up to a behemoth of a vehicle one day like a sequoia.

 

[GiXeR007]

Where can you find a 3rd row seat?

 

[peter78]

I got to this thread because of a spammer, but I read your thread. My 2004 doesn't shake at all and does well in all areas. My 4th gen is my dialy driver and my Wife and Son like the 2001 3rd gen. better.

For me there is something special about my 3rd gen., sure I like the 4th, but the 3rd gen. would be the one I would keep forever and fix up over the 4th, which hopefully will be years away before I decide on that.

 

[1beastnstl]

Any photos of said 3rd row seats?

 

[8086bruce]

I have the 3rd row seats in my SR5 and they work great. I would not want to sit back there but for the kids it works.

 

[04_4runner]

I too have the third row seats option on my SR5. I took them out. They may be OK for children but not for adults. They are very easy to install or remove. They do not fold flat into the floor but rather they can be folded up against the side windows to open up the trunk floor area. One nice thing is that they have the over the shoulder / lap belt style seat belts (just like the front seats) for the two 3rd row seats.

 

[ClockWork]

3rd row seats were only offered on SR5s. They are worthless for anything other than the smallest children.

 

[Mytoy4]

3rd row seats were only offered on SR5s. They are worthless for anything other than the smallest children.

This is true! The space for leg room is not fit for even a teen. Mine fold down and then up against the side windows. Here's a picture of mine with one seat removed.

 

[gptoy96]

I have a few friends looking for 3 row SUV's, as much as I like to promote 4Runners at any chance I get if they're looking for 7 seaters I usually lead them elsewhere, the leg room of the T4R's 3rd row is basically non-existant.

 

[jmanderson]

The third row seats were only offered in the SR5 and Limited...I don't think you can install them in the Sport Editions. Something with the way they're installed on the side...I was talking to a buddy about this awhile ago it might have been the installation of the seat belts. Can't remember...

 

[Miguelon]

I purchased a 3rd gen in 2000, drove it until 2004 when I gave it to my brother and bought an 04 ltd. It was a shock going from 3rd to 4th gen. I did not enjoy the 4th gen, primarily because at hwy speeds the steering wheel shook. After trying new tires, realignments, you name it the problem was never fixed, i sold the runner, and 3 yrs ago bought the 3rd gen back from my brother. I had done a ridiculous amount of mods on it, and love it, but am looking for something with a practical 3rd row. Does anyone out there drive a sport edition with a 3rd row, and does anyone have any feedback on the practicality of the 3rd row in the runner. Is it removable or fold flat?

I added a factory 3rd row to a 2004 SE. They were not available until 2005.