Removed the Rear Sliding Tray-5TH Gen Limited

[Thomasdan]

I was in the same boat as most. I thought it was completely useless. But it came with the 4runner. Did a bunch of research to remove it. Until I actually used it for the first time. It actually came in handy when your loading and unloading a bunch of heavy boxes. You don't have to reach all the way in to remove a box.

Then I was like, okay.. I can see why someone would like this. But I was still convince on having the extra room for my camping gear and still wanting to remove it. Then my wife loaded the tray with groceries. She pulled the tray out and she loved how easy it was to unload it. My wife is petite and she like that she didn't have to reach to grab the back of the groceries.

Plus we're having a baby soon. So sliding tray will become a changing table while we're on the go.

so far, my opinion has change "FOR NOW". I'm sure something will fall behind it while closing it and get stuck that will piss me off.

 

[Brandonium]

Toyota makes a divider that addresses this. I have seen these complaints and I don't think anyone searches for options to address it. They just start posts about how they hate the sliding tray. lol

I was in the same boat as most. I thought it was completely useless. But it came with the 4runner. Did a bunch of research to remove it. Until I actually used it for the first time. It actually came in handy when your loading and unloading a bunch of heavy boxes. You don't have to reach all the way in to remove a box.

Then I was like, okay.. I can see why someone would like this. But I was still convince on having the extra room for my camping gear and still wanting to remove it. Then my wife loaded the tray with groceries. She pulled the tray out and she loved how easy it was to unload it. My wife is petite and she like that she didn't have to reach to grab the back of the groceries.

Plus we're having a baby soon. So sliding tray will become a changing table while we're on the go.

so far, my opinion has change "FOR NOW". I'm sure something will fall behind it while closing it and get stuck that will piss me off.

 

[Thomasdan]

I've seen the divider. But for 80-100 bucks. Base on what I've seen. It's only a few inches high. That divider isn't going to work all the time if you completely load the truck with stuff. Something is bound to fall behind or under it without you noticing. A couple times, no biggie... After multiple times.. then it will starts to get on my nerves.

But like I mention on my last post. My opinion has changed.

 

[1engineer]

I think when people say that the tray is useless they are really making a statement too generalized. It may be useless for them but for others like me who have had a broken back it's very much a needed and appreciated add on.

When people here say that it's useless because things slide off of it but then you read up and find that all you really have to do is purchase a few items from toyota to help deal with these nuances and you begin to think..wow man there's a lot of vocal opinion about something that should be trivial. Why didn't this person just.. you know...look for the same thing I easily found to help remedy his/her complaint for said item.

I guess my point is, if you don't want one then sit out and wait for a vehicle that doesn't have one but don't go on and on about why you have one but didn't want one then call it useless. Not all owners of a Toyota 4Runner are identical.

I have had a 5th gen with the tray and had a few 5th gens without the tray. I am currently driving one without the tray. Why?

Sure, you can stack stuff on the tray just like normal. Is it any better? Not really. If you are like most, when you load up the back you just load it up. Take luggage, baby stuff, boxes for moving kids to college, etc as an example. The problem with the tray is you can't contain all that odd sized stuff and keep it on the tray. Some of it hangs off and goes over on the wheel arches or up against the back seat. When that happens the tray's pull out feature becomes a moot point because you can't pull it out. If you do it will just cause things to stick or fall.

Now, for big heavy things (I hauled two pieces of stone weighing 250 lbs apiece for a table top) it is great. Just secure it and pull it out to unload it. The problem is that is not the normal load. Normal loads are groceries. Normal loads are luggage. Normal loads are coolers and other odd shaped things. So for normal loads the sliding tray is useless and normal loads are what most of us do 99% of the time.

The sliding tray also takes up vertical space. Not a lot but enough to mess up hauling a TV or a clothes washer or dryer or a mountain bike or anything else that could use an extra 2" of height. Believe it or not there is a lot of those things that need hauled.

So it has it's advantages but definitely has it's disadvantages too. Don't get me started when it's time to vacuum out the back. The tray sucks then.

 

[Brandonium]

Not that I am pro-kids... I purposely made the decision not to go that route but, isn't that where they would normally come in?

Hey son, go vacuum out the back of the 4Runner.

I have had a 5th gen with the tray and had a few 5th gens without the tray. I am currently driving one without the tray. Why?

Sure, you can stack stuff on the tray just like normal. Is it any better? Not really. If you are like most, when you load up the back you just load it up. Take luggage, baby stuff, boxes for moving kids to college, etc as an example. The problem with the tray is you can't contain all that odd sized stuff and keep it on the tray. Some of it hangs off and goes over on the wheel arches or up against the back seat. When that happens the tray's pull out feature becomes a moot point because you can't pull it out. If you do it will just cause things to stick or fall.

Now, for big heavy things (I hauled two pieces of stone weighing 250 lbs apiece for a table top) it is great. Just secure it and pull it out to unload it. The problem is that is not the normal load. Normal loads are groceries. Normal loads are luggage. Normal loads are coolers and other odd shaped things. So for normal loads the sliding tray is useless and normal loads are what most of us do 99% of the time.

The sliding tray also takes up vertical space. Not a lot but enough to mess up hauling a TV or a clothes washer or dryer or a mountain bike or anything else that could use an extra 2" of height. Believe it or not there is a lot of those things that need hauled.

So it has it's advantages but definitely has it's disadvantages too. Don't get me started when it's time to vacuum out the back. The tray sucks then.

 

[Victor_inox]

I took out the sliding tray and storage box, sprayed bed liner thinly over the floor, and added DynaMat to insulate. Now how do I support a 3/4" Baltic Birch
floor? Ideas?

Thanks!

Use tray mounting holes, I assume you`l be mounting amplifiers on that plywood floor.

 

[fastboarder]

I would also like to know the exact items needed to replace the tray with the regular floor.

Most of the T4Rs in my area are going to have the sliding cargo decks. However I would rather have the deck but the ability to swap it out if needed. Family beach trips versus weekends out in the woods and such.

I actually posted earlier in this thread I would be willing to trade my regular floor for the tray. Another Denver T4R user contacted me and we did the tray swap. Very nice couple I might add with a nice looking TRD Pro.

Pulled into his garage, they pulled out their tray, I pulled out my carpet and underlayment. Went like cake, well until two bolt holes that the tray mounts down to were not there in my vehicle. Luckily I had read somewhere here the top sheetmetal can come in three potential forms, in my case it covered the bolt threads in the bedpan. All we did was break out the drill, put a small hole where it should bolt up based on the tray itself, and carefully grinded around that hole. Bolt holes are there, took about 5 minutes. Vacuumed and away we went. I tailgate and camp often so I love the tray.

I like the storage options with the rear storage compartment behind the tray and being able to store items under the tray, such as a set of jumpers, tow strap, and a real tire iron. Why the heck Toyota didn't create pockets on the right side where we could open/close storing items out of sight I have no idea)

For the parts, this thread shows the carpet components for reference, that is truly it:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/164939-has-anybody-added-rear-sliding-cargo-tray-2.html

Most of you with the tray probably know but just in case; I didn't until by accident I found out. The tray has two pull out positions. Grab the handle, pull, it snaps into the first slot. Pull the handle again, pull the tray back and it snaps into the last position, well over the end of the bumper. Pretty slick.

 

[N.Alvarez]

Sooo, after thumbing through most of the 10pages of posts- I'm still trying to find out if ANYONE has removed their cargo tray, kept the tray slides installed on the floor & built a lower-profile drawer system that attaches to the remaining tray slides? Would love to see some ideas, as I would think it would be fairly easy to do. Looks like [MENTION=124409]dieck[/MENTION] may have done this as he linked his build thread- but all the pics are gone.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/198067-base-camp-2015-superwhite-te-build-thread.html

 

[BS Goodwrench]

Oh man! I've wondered the exact same thing and I thought about just getting the cargo tray option if I can when the wife and I get our 4Runner and removing the factory plastic one and just trying to make a whole tray in it that levels the whole floor out that I can use with the slide mechanism.

Hope someone can enlighten us.

 

[Victor_inox]

Sooo, after thumbing through most of the 10pages of posts- I'm still trying to find out if ANYONE has removed their cargo tray, kept the tray slides installed on the floor & built a lower-profile drawer system that attaches to the remaining tray slides? Would love to see some ideas, as I would think it would be fairly easy to do. Looks like Dieck may have done this as he linked his build thread- but all the pics are gone.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/198067-base-camp-2015-superwhite-te-build-thread.html

Rails mounts on the bottom side of the tray, not sure how low profile storage can benefit from it. I just keep my tray as is. idea of sliding out storage is very nice though. Hard mount on the floor with sliding drawers makes more sense from space preserving POV.

 

[dieck]

Sooo, after thumbing through most of the 10pages of posts- I'm still trying to find out if ANYONE has removed their cargo tray, kept the tray slides installed on the floor & built a lower-profile drawer system that attaches to the remaining tray slides? Would love to see some ideas, as I would think it would be fairly easy to do. Looks like [MENTION=124409]dieck[/MENTION] may have done this as he linked his build thread- but all the pics are gone.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/198067-base-camp-2015-superwhite-te-build-thread.html

I think I just fixed all the pics. Accidentally deleted them. Sorry!

 

[dieck]

Because you asked

This has been my most used and favorite mod to the truck. Bomb proof and used almost daily.

Components used in build:

From local HW store:

1/2 inch hardwood plywood for platform and doors
2x4 pine plywood for 3 supports
Stainless 3/8 inch bolts washers and lock washers

From the Interwebs:

Concealed hinges for doors
Recessed handles
L-track logistic tie downs
Tie down l-track adjustable studs

First took measurements and cut 2x4 scrap from other projetcs to fit base. Lined up the outer 2x4 over the under body unibody frame so the tie down points pass through multiple layers of sheetmetal. Middle support is just through 1 sheet of sheet metal. Plan is to have studs over strongest part of body, then to have the L-Track tie down rails directly on top of the bolted down studs.

Then I got a sheet of 1/2 inch hardwood plywood and cut it down to size. Used pencil to mark the layout and cuts. There are two layers of ply in this design. The base layer is all one piece with the holes for the doors cut out, and then there is an upper layer that will be flush with the doors and the L-Track.

This is a detail of the bottom of the thing. It ended up being quite a complex shape to conform to the floor and make the most of the available space.

Here is the top with the rails and doors laying in place. I spent a lot of time thinking about clearances and anticipating the different locations Line-x would be sprayed so everything would be flush and tight (but not too tight) once finally assembled with Line-x

A final test fit in the truck and checking tolerances all around.

Detail of the countersunk doors to allow for the depth of added Line-x on both the doors and the frame.

Sprayed with Line-x. The guys working there thought I was legitimately crazy. But fact of the matter is my 2015 4runner has a higher payload than my 2010 tundra crewmax! Everything came together nicely!

Installed the hinges. I spent some time thinking about them and got them installed correctly the first time. That never happens!!!

Final pics in the truck. Everything's a little dusty.

After living with it now for a couple weeks I couldn't be happier. It's super secure, the tie downs work great! It's really nice to have some concealed storage and the 4 door system allows me to have gear in the back area and still get to one or more doors by moving things around vs 1 big door I originally planned.

I've had several inquiries about it. Feel free to borrow any or all of the design.

 

[-dustin]

are folded. This has been my most used and favorite mod to the truck. Bomb proof and used almost daily.

damn, man. it is awesome.

how much do you charge for your time?

 

[dieck]

damn, man. it is awesome.

how much do you charge for your time?

Thank you for the kind words I enjoy building things and value doing it right over being efficient or cost effective. My goal is to only have things around me that I love.

You can build this or something similar. The only tools used were a drill, Skillsaw or chopsaw, tape measure, jigsaw and materials you can buy online or from the hardwarestore.

 

[-dustin]

Thank you for the kind words I enjoy building things and value doing it right over being efficient or cost effective. My goal is to only have things around me that I love.

You can build this or something similar. The only tools used were a drill, Skillsaw or chopsaw, tape measure, jigsaw and materials you can buy online or from the hardwarestore.

nah, man, don't sell yourself short. it's more than that. ask 100 guys to build that and i'd guess maybe 3 would take into account the added thickness of the LineX, or whatever you used. that's impressive attention to detail. like, next level Legos. I've wanted to do something similar, that would create more/ better storage, and level out the cargo area. time just hasn't been on my side lately.

 

[engineeer]

This has been my most used and favorite mod to the truck. Bomb proof and used almost daily.

Components used in build:

From local HW store:

1/2 inch hardwood plywood for platform and doors
2x4 pine plywood for 3 supports
Stainless 3/8 inch bolts washers and lock washers

From the Interwebs:

Concealed hinges for doors
Recessed handles
L-track logistic tie downs
Tie down l-track adjustable studs

First took measurements and cut 2x4 scrap from other projetcs to fit base. Lined up the outer 2x4 over the under body unibody frame so the tie down points pass through multiple layers of sheetmetal. Middle support is just through 1 sheet of sheet metal. Plan is to have studs over strongest part of body, then to have the L-Track tie down rails directly on top of the bolted down studs.

After living with it now for a couple weeks I couldn't be happier. It's super secure, the tie downs work great! It's really nice to have some concealed storage and the 4 door system allows me to have gear in the back area and still get to one or more doors by moving things around vs 1 big door I originally planned.

I've had several inquiries about it. Feel free to borrow any or all of the design.

That's some high-quality craftsmanship and the route I would go.

 

[MaddoxPics]

Hate to bump an older thread, but I figure it's better than making a new one.

Interested in buying the Pro, but the thing I keep running across is 90% of the ones I like have the sliding cargo tray, which I don't feel I'd really use like it's meant to be.

I do a lot of late night photography, sometimes long days in the mountains, and occasionally car camping. The one thing that I'm curious about is the tray. From what I've read it does stick up a bit, which would make it a bit awkward to sleep in the back being it wouldn't be flat.

If I were to remove it, could I install something to make the back flat? Such as one would come without it?

Or does the cargo option screw that up. I'm not looking to do special storage options or anything, just a way to keep it all flat.

 

[yungdrlc]

Hate to bump an older thread, but I figure it's better than making a new one.

Interested in buying the Pro, but the thing I keep running across is 90% of the ones I like have the sliding cargo tray, which I don't feel I'd really use like it's meant to be.

I do a lot of late night photography, sometimes long days in the mountains, and occasionally car camping. The one thing that I'm curious about is the tray. From what I've read it does stick up a bit, which would make it a bit awkward to sleep in the back being it wouldn't be flat.

If I were to remove it, could I install something to make the back flat? Such as one would come without it?

Or does the cargo option screw that up. I'm not looking to do special storage options or anything, just a way to keep it all flat.

I believe the sliding cargo tray makes the back of the vehicle flat with the 2nd row seats folded down.

In vehicles without the tray, there is a slight decline from the folded seats down to the trunk floor.

 

[MaddoxPics]

I believe the sliding cargo tray makes the back of the vehicle flat with the 2nd row seats folded down.

In vehicles without the tray, there is a slight decline from the folded seats down to the trunk floor.

Hopefully someone can confirm this. If that's the case I guess I might be better off just leaving the thing in. Granted a slight incline isn't the worst. My CR-V seats don't go 100% flat and I still manage back there.

 

[Brookey_813]

Hopefully someone can confirm this. If that's the case I guess I might be better off just leaving the thing in. Granted a slight incline isn't the worst. My CR-V seats don't go 100% flat and I still manage back there.

I own a Trail edition and can confirm that it is not flat if you don't have the tray. I wish I had that or could make something for the cargo area. I don't have a photo but it is about a 3 inch drop from the back of the seats to the cargo area without the tray. There is a piece that sits right behind the seats I guess to hold the seats when they are reclined. That piece sits at a slant and is about 3 inches wide which is the 3 inch drop between the seats and the cargo area. It sucks to pack for camping with it not being flat.