This may have been discussed before, if it has I couldn't find it. I have a 2006 SR5 4Runner and I did not option for the 3rd row seats and I now wish I had. Is there a way to add the factory third row now? I have seen some aftermarket stuff on the internet but I want it to function like factory and match my interior. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I have an 04 SR5 and I was looking for the same thing. I currently have the split deck option and not the 3rd row. I will be in need of a 3rd row soon and hate to get rid of the truck. I found an aftermarket one that does match the color but I'm not sure about the material pattern. You can install it forward or rear facing. They have a few options to choose from. I don't have the website bookmarked on this computer but I will post it later.

I tried searching on installing an OEM 3rd row seat, but could not find anything. If someone has done it or heard of it done, I'd be interested as well.

 

Here it is:

http://www.littleseats.com/toyota_4runner.htm

 

My wife drives an 04 runner with the third row seats. Let me tell you, what a waste of space. We took them out b/c they are basically useless, they are so small.

And from the looks of it, there are hinges and other mounting provisions made to the rear of the vehicle. And I assume there is a difference between the two (third row/non-third row) b/c there are two different sized/shaped cargo mats sold to fit back there. The mats for the third row has two slits in the middle of it to access the mounting points in the floor.

 

Can anyone else add to their experience with the 3rd row in the later 4runners? I have a 91 that runs better than our newer vehicles. We are thinking of possibly trading in our 2 Chevy's (one being an 03 Trailblazer EXT to compare) for a newish 4runner with the third row. There's 6 of us, so room is important. Chevy has not held up to my basic expectations, though cheaper, in the long run is not dependable.

 

lol
im 17
all my family drives is toyota's
i dont think ill ever buy anything other then a toy

 

I am also interested in any input people may have about the 3rd row. Sporticus, Would you say that they are only functional for average-sized grade-school aged children? Would an average-sized adult female (say, 5'5", 140 lbs) fit back there for a short distance if needed (i.e. 15-45 minutes across the city)?

 

Can anyone who has the 3rd row seat give any more input on its usefulness (see last post). Thanks

 

for those who do have 3rd row seat, can you take a picture of how they're mounted? My guess is that since the body is the same, mouning OEM 3rd row seat shouldn't be too diffucult, but i'm not 100% certain on that...

 

I had mounted a third row in my 92 - I went to the autowreckers and got one out of a dodge SUV. the rear trick is to find one that doesn't sit up too high. I then simply bolted it in.

 

I have the 3rd row seats in my 06 Limited. They are only big enough for kids and/or small adults. As long as you don't buy them expecting to somehow have room for 7 adults you will enjoy them.

I have the weathertech cargo liner in the back, but did not cut the optional holes out for the seats. Whenever I need the rear seats for kids I just pull the liner out. Currently I have none of my 2nd or 3rd row seats installed and just stick the seats in whenever they are needed.

Overall I think it is a great option to have because when you need them they are there and when you do not they pop out of the car very easily. One upside with the 3rd row option that my passenger really like is that the 2nd row seats can be reclined back pretty far instead of being fixed in one position.

 

I have a littlepassengerseats one in our 3rd Gen 4Runner. The material matches almost perfectly. You can mount it forward or reverse but reverse is easier access and more leg room. It is removable in as much as there are four bolts that go through a bottom bracket into the floor. From the bottom/outside of the vehicle they supply two 1/4" plates with nuts welded to them and smaller bolts that hold them in place. That bracing is what the seat attaches too. Takes at least five minutes to install/remove the seat each time.
We don't use it much but have put the car seats back there for the little ones. My wife can fit. She's 5'4" (I think). Head room is the issue really. I'm 5'10" and my head hits the ceiling. I'd only be good back there for a SHORT ride.

http://www.littleseats.com/toyota_4runner.htm

I think this is why the Lexus GX is taller to accomodate that third row seat properly. The second row on the GX folds nicely to access the 3rd row.

 

Lars, do you have pictures of the seat installed? The website pictures are small and difficult to get a sense of.

We are seriously looking at these seats as the kids are big enough that they all need shoulder belts, and if these seats can't work, I either have to add some kind of belt (say, from a Honda Pilot) or another 4runner to the paddock!

Cheers

 

I'll try to get some shots and post them. I could get the kids to model but the oldest is 3. They offer shoulder belts that mount to the back of the seat. I guess that would work but I didn't opt for them. After doing some NTSA research they indicate that there was no significant increase in injury using a lap belt vs a shoulder belt in the third row position. You might want to research yourself. The headrests from the second row act as headrests for the third row (rear facing). Seems safer for whiplash over possibly impacting the rear glass.

I'll see if I can post measurements of the seat too.

 

Good to know about the research; I will pass it along to my wife. It makes sense to me, but most newer vehicles these days have a shoulder belt in all positions, so I think she's connecting it with safety.

Thanks for whatever help you can offer in the way of pics/measurements!

 

I did a quick search and wasn't able to locate the statistics again. For piece of mind a shoulder/lap combo will be safer. The incidence of third row injuries is so small but that doesn't matter if your kid happens to be in the statistic. I'll try to post pics tonight.

 

The seat has the following dimensions:
Cushion height 8" from deck
Cushion depth 14"
Backrest 23" to deck
Seat width 38"
I'll attach a pic shortly

 

We've been searching for a 3rd-gen 4Runner in the knowledge that we can add a 3rd-row seat for our growing family from http://www.LittlePassengerSeats.com. They're very nice folks and even sometimes carry used seats in the style you want for a good price. I've talked to them a few times and they're very friendly and helpful.

However, having determined the dimensions to be too shallow (seat area) for half of our existing child car seats, we did some research online for OEM 3rd-gen 4Runner third-row seats. It seems that almost nobody has them in real life, but they get talked about a lot.

So far, this is what we found from a parts search service:

I asked if he really did have what I was asking for (oh the mystery around this subject!) and he replied:

We talked to him via email and he won't give us the dimensions, but was otherwise helpful.

Anyone know where to get the dimensions for the OEM third-row seat?

 

Just called our local Toyota dealer. They sell the seat in pieces (not a complete unit) so the price is a little high but it IS definitely available from 1996-2000 as an option and you can still get them straight from Toyota.

 

What was the price they quoted you for '03+ models?