Replaced Sliding Cargo Tray with 3rd Row Seats

bpwilton

New member
I really liked the sliding cargo tray when I bought my 4Runner, but with two carseats in the 2nd row, we quickly ran out of room to transport adults. So, I replaced the sliding cargo tray with 3rd row seats. The seats, seatbelts, and trim were purchased from IceNomad (thanks!). We also swapped our upper rear trim pieces (mine plain and his with the seatbelt openings).

3 of the 4 holes to mount the seats to the floor matched up with the cargo tray mounting holes. Luckily, when I began to drill for a 4th hole, it was there under the top layer of the floor.

The black side trim pieces (wheel well covers) were not completely compatible with the 3rd row seats, and I had to trim them (pretty minor) with the Dremel to get the seats to fit in.

The 3rd row seat belt floor mounting brackets did not fit at all, and I had cut the belt off the bracket and make a custom mount and drill out a hole in the floor to attach them securely.

I also had to make some custom brackets to go under the sides of the rear trim (the "floor" when the seats are flat) so that it would support good weight because, again, the standard side brackets would not fit properly. You can see in the last pic that at the back of the cargo area, on the sides, the floor is lower with my side trim pieces. The standard 3rd row install has a level floor all the way to the sides in the back.

In the end, it turned out really well. I have also added some clips to hold the seat belts to the sides of the walls. The only thing left is to get some matching carpet to put in front of the 3rd row seats since it is bare floor metal (4th pic).
 

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the 3rd row seats can be dangerous also. 1st you have no airbags back there. 2nd if another suv rear ends you, it will destroy the whole tailgate and the impact zone comes inside to the 3rd row seat...i wonder how well toyota tested this with dummies in the 3rd row if they did at all
 
I didn't mess at all with the 3rd row airbags. The 3rd row seating will only be used occasionally, and I figured that any passengers will still be safe. Plus, it's not like my other vehicles have all the special airbag coverage that the 4Runner has, and I'm ok driving them with passengers and kids.

I also didn't mess with changing out the 2nd row seats for easier access to the 3rd row. I will have to fold down a 2nd row seat to get access to the 3rd row--eventually. Right now, I have carseats in the 2nd row, so the access to the 3rd row is from the cargo hatch.

The 3rd row seats sit even with the 2nd row. From what I figured, the setup is identical to the factory 3rd row setup.

As far as cargo space, the seats will almost always be laid flat, so the cargo space is nearly identical to how it was with the sliding tray.
 
Looks good! I am glad they went to a good home and are no longer sitting in my basement.

the 3rd row seats can be dangerous also. 1st you have no airbags back there. 2nd if another suv rear ends you, it will destroy the whole tailgate and the impact zone comes inside to the 3rd row seat...i wonder how well toyota tested this with dummies in the 3rd row if they did at all

Yes - that is a valid assessment. A leading car company designs and markets a model that was not thoroughly tested to comply with safety regulations.:wtf:

And to another SUV destroying the whole tailgate, lets get real. Have you seen where the rear end matches up to other SUV front ends? Sure if a large SUV, truck or a lifted vehicle was to hit him, but based on the data, the probability is low. http://www.lemonfree.com/comparison.php?vs=2010-CHEVROLET-TAHOE-VS.-2010-TOYOTA-4RUNNER . The 4runner BUMPER is designed for impacts (just like every other bumper) and it is a larger vehicle than 85% of all vehicles that were sold in Jan 2011. :gun6:

Everyone makes their own decisions, sure this is an online forum for 4runner owners and you can voice your opinion, however, your credibility decreases every time you post considering you don't have one and your contributions have minimal impact
 
Thanks, IceNomad. I had high hopes for things fitting more easily, but I'm very pleased with how things turned out.
 
Looks great. What did you do with the sliding deck? I'm an Env. Consultant and really wanted the deck for easy access to the back and use as a table while working but it only came on the Limited unless I ordered from Japan. Couldn't wait 6 mo and didn't want to tare up a Limited so I just went without.

I'd love to get my hands on a sliding deck if anyone's willing to part with one.
 
The sliding deck is sitting in my garage. PM me if you're interested.

Looks great. What did you do with the sliding deck? I'm an Env. Consultant and really wanted the deck for easy access to the back and use as a table while working but it only came on the Limited unless I ordered from Japan. Couldn't wait 6 mo and didn't want to tare up a Limited so I just went without.

I'd love to get my hands on a sliding deck if anyone's willing to part with one.
 
Looks great. What did you do with the sliding deck? I'm an Env. Consultant and really wanted the deck for easy access to the back and use as a table while working but it only came on the Limited unless I ordered from Japan. Couldn't wait 6 mo and didn't want to tare up a Limited so I just went without.

I'd love to get my hands on a sliding deck if anyone's willing to part with one.

I have the sliding tray on my Limited but would rather have the flat back without one like yours..If your ever up in DFW area I can swap all the parts needed for both of us. Would only take about 30 minutes as I have had it apart several times already.

Just a thought.
 
great work. That looks awesome and is functional. I personally didn't want either the 3rd row or the sliding thing. Either way, great job
 
3rd row seats for 4runner

this looks great, I would like to do also with my 2011 4runner, do you know of anyone else selling these seats?
 
i want to buy it

do you still have the sliding tray setup ?

if you do and want to sell it email me.

hiphafakot at gmail

thanks
 
Looks like the OP hasn't been around in quite some time. Anyone else do this? I'm going to do it myself soon. I've got tons of questions. Custom brackets was not at all mentioned in this other post. I'm going to PM that fellow.
 
Anyone have the third row for the 5th gens laying around and would like to sell it.
Please let me know thanks.
 

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