Uses for Storage Compartments
- Thread starter tedcool
- Start date
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Under climate controls:
Lighter, matches, toothpicks, nail clippers, individual wipes for windshield wipers, floss
"secret" glove box:
GPS and cord, radar detector, sometimes point and shoot camera
Rear right cargo area (no subwoofer):
First Aid Kit (it's come in handy), small container of ear plugs, flat nylon strapping, workgloves x 2, Nitrile gloves, space blanket, sometimes flares, glow sticks, Camp Currency (toilet paper!- don't laugh, everyone who has laughed at that has had to use it the next time we went out in the wild...)
Left Rear cargo area:
Some rope, and my front license plate (when I go to the bay sometimes I put it on to avoid the citation. Yes, it's happened to me)
I also keep a bag in the back cargo area with more road stuff like flares, scrapers, other items I need for the car, the dog, or the trip...
Lighter, matches, toothpicks, nail clippers, individual wipes for windshield wipers, floss
"secret" glove box:
GPS and cord, radar detector, sometimes point and shoot camera
Rear right cargo area (no subwoofer):
First Aid Kit (it's come in handy), small container of ear plugs, flat nylon strapping, workgloves x 2, Nitrile gloves, space blanket, sometimes flares, glow sticks, Camp Currency (toilet paper!- don't laugh, everyone who has laughed at that has had to use it the next time we went out in the wild...)
Left Rear cargo area:
Some rope, and my front license plate (when I go to the bay sometimes I put it on to avoid the citation. Yes, it's happened to me)
I also keep a bag in the back cargo area with more road stuff like flares, scrapers, other items I need for the car, the dog, or the trip...
A/V1
New member
If you are talking about replacing the upper (hidden) storage compartment, they are a bit more than 20-30 dollars. I got a second one since I was planning a mod for mine, and couldn't find any for less than around $70.
If you can find one for less, buy it!
Below the heater controls I keep my parking access card for the garage gate at work. In my 3rd gen I keep this card in the little flip-down compartment above the rear view mirror (between the map lights). Always wondered if that was what that intended for?? I kind of miss having that on my 4th gen...
2003-4x4runner
New member
Forty6and2Ahead
New member
Under climate control is hand sanitizer. I keep my registration in the secret "cocaine bin" located in the glove box. Kind of paranoid of someone breaking into my car and getting my registration to know where I live (even though most likely they will do it in my driveway).
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Storage door under climate controls - any mods?
I just purchased an 09 4Runner and I HATE that storage area below the climate controls!
I have currently removed the door and then attached velcro to the back of that area to attach my satellite radio and tucked the wires under it. It looks okay, but the radio is too far away for me. I also ran an aux cable from the console storage to that point too.
I have been searching for hours for someone who has done some modifications on that area. I would like to move that back panel that is there when you removed the door and replace it with something useful. I thought surely someone had done some mods there since it's horrible, but I can't find anything. Any suggestions?
Also, I really don't like the power ports in the console either and would prefer them be on the panel that goes around the radio. The only thing I have on that panel now the hazard light switch, so it looks doable. Any suggestions?
Thanks...new member...first time post.
I just purchased an 09 4Runner and I HATE that storage area below the climate controls!
I have currently removed the door and then attached velcro to the back of that area to attach my satellite radio and tucked the wires under it. It looks okay, but the radio is too far away for me. I also ran an aux cable from the console storage to that point too.
I have been searching for hours for someone who has done some modifications on that area. I would like to move that back panel that is there when you removed the door and replace it with something useful. I thought surely someone had done some mods there since it's horrible, but I can't find anything. Any suggestions?
Also, I really don't like the power ports in the console either and would prefer them be on the panel that goes around the radio. The only thing I have on that panel now the hazard light switch, so it looks doable. Any suggestions?
Thanks...new member...first time post.
kingofthehill
New member
The compartment under the heater controls has my registration and insurance card.
Secret compartment has my brake controller manual and some extra light bulbs.
The storage compartment in the rear right has my small tool kit held in place by the straps and my cargo net.
Secret compartment has my brake controller manual and some extra light bulbs.
The storage compartment in the rear right has my small tool kit held in place by the straps and my cargo net.
ThatSickRip
New member
Some great ideas in this thread. I hate having visible bags that could "tempt" somebody to bust a window and help themselves. The cargo spaces are smaller, but enough to stash away some essentials and not be visible in plain sight
I'm trying to suss out all of the hidden locations for storage in the 2004.
1. Pop-out under AC/Heater control area
2. Hidden glove box storage area (inside the lockable glove box)
3. Console tissue box holder
4. Right wheel well storage area (trunk)
5. Left wheel well storage area (trunk)
6. Left trunk wall (appears to have a hydraulic thing in there?)
7. Right trunk wall (no hydraulics visible, you open the panel by depressing two clips and pulling)
8. Console smoker's kit ash tray (optional addon)
That's all I got though. I'd like to get under the carpet and cut out a secret area for storage for a pistol. Or if there's room in the front seat I always wanted to make a deployable switch-controlled refrigerator to keep drinks cold, like on that Xzibit show from the early 2000s.
1. Pop-out under AC/Heater control area
2. Hidden glove box storage area (inside the lockable glove box)
3. Console tissue box holder
4. Right wheel well storage area (trunk)
5. Left wheel well storage area (trunk)
6. Left trunk wall (appears to have a hydraulic thing in there?)
7. Right trunk wall (no hydraulics visible, you open the panel by depressing two clips and pulling)
8. Console smoker's kit ash tray (optional addon)
That's all I got though. I'd like to get under the carpet and cut out a secret area for storage for a pistol. Or if there's room in the front seat I always wanted to make a deployable switch-controlled refrigerator to keep drinks cold, like on that Xzibit show from the early 2000s.
Great minds think alike-drive my Limited to Costco-have similar fruit box for stuff
Looking for better storage options . . .
The compartment underneath the heater controls is useless.
And the rear tire house in the cargo area, I use one for tire pressure gauge & a ziplock bag w/ (2) pairs of latex gloves. In case of a flat.
And I use the other one for my cargo net & wheel lock.
And I use a fruit box from Costco to organize my other stuff.
Looking for better storage options . . .
Tironeous
New member
One of the most useful things I’ve found is a divider and tray for the center console. I keep a flashlight, multi tool, pens, and chapsticks in the tray. In the bottom I’ve got some tools, seatbelt cutter, sun block, cleaning wipes, snacks, etc... it helps keep this area from turning into a bottomless pit
ryrobertson
New member
I plan on putting a slim CB in the hidden compartment inside the glove box.
ryrobertson
New member
One of the most useful things I’ve found is a divider and tray for the center console. I keep a flashlight, multi tool, pens, and chapsticks in the tray. In the bottom I’ve got some tools, seatbelt cutter, sun block, cleaning wipes, snacks, etc... it helps keep this area from turning into a bottomless pit
I like that setup. Mine has the console vault installed, so I'm SOL on that compartment.
this is awesome! i'm so glad this thread was brought back to life. i literally almost made a post about this today in regards to what the hell the passenger side rear "cargo carrier" was actually designed to carry. i thought there was supposed to be something specific in there that i was missing but clearly that's not the case. but, now i have some good ideas of what to put in there!
I know of a place that no one has mentioned. In fact it's not really a storage bin at all but it can be used as the best ever hiding place for very small objects. I'll guarantee that no one will ever find what you've got hidden there. On both front doors, the armrest pad simply pulls off, no screws, nothing but a couple of push clips. You grab it at the front and pull up. It's off in about 1 second. Underneath that is hard plastic with a small hole in it. You simply carve the hole out big enough to fit whatever you want to hide and you have a perfect hiding place for any small item you don't want found. Depending on what you're hiding you may want to stuff something else down in there first to keep your item from dropping too far where you can't easily retrieve it. The armrest snaps right back on and no one has a clue that anything is hidden there. The uses for this are numerous. Still smoking and your significant other doesn't know? Hide the cigs in there. Got a new girls phone number and don't want it found? Stick it in there. You could stuff cash in there, or some coins in a zip lock. I guess you could even hide a small amount of drugs in there although I'm not a user so I haven't tried that. Pretty sure the sniffing dogs would find them anyway. Just remember to take out whatever you have in there if you ever take the T4R to the shop to have any work done involving removing the door panel.
