Third row seat modification

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Hi all. I currently own a 08 GXL Auto Diesel. Am looking at upgrading as soon as ARB makes a bull bar to fit LC150
In my opinion what a huge disappointment with the fold down rear seats and loss of already limited rear cargo space and not so much as a priory but still a backward step fuel capacity. If we were to lose fuel load i would have like to trade it of for spare tyre under car and a better design rear door but not fold down rear seats and loss of cargo space! Okay so we can't get our fuel back but any thoughts on getting our rear cargo space back. I'm sure there are people out there who like the fold down rear seats? but for my set up i like the old LC120 style removable seats. put them in if needed but 99.99999999999999% of time i had a lifestyle rack fitted in back where seats pivoted. This is great for separating cargo space in using space up high in an organised way. e.g. i have a 40l engle that lives in the back and can have a golf bag fit under the rack. Hope we can un bolt third row seats completely and lifestyleracks.com.au or someone else can design a rack system or fold up false floor?

Cheers
Geoff

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: Third row seat modification

From the general discussion thread at the top of the section

I wonder how easy it is to remove this to allow a descent drawrer system to be installed?

According to the sales guy... they can't be removed. From memory the floor would still be the same height, it would just have the cavity where the seats would have gone (much like the Pajero I think)

The European website

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/Aim.aspx?menuitem=2

Has loads of instructions for pulling things in and out of the 150

Use the red button to select search and select model 150 etc. The PDf you are interested in for rear seat removel is the 'Towing hitch wiring kit' there are several there but a couple of them give instructions on how to remove the rear seats.

Neil

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: Third row seat modification

Sales guy said? when i went and had a look through new LC150 i new more or could figure out in a minute a lot of things sales guy didn't know. I'm sure there is a way of removing 3rd row seats and modifiying rear cargo area. Any new owners out there pulled them out yet?

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: Third row seat modification

Sales guy said? when i went and had a look through new LC150 i new more or could figure out in a minute a lot of things sales guy didn't know. I'm sure there is a way of removing 3rd row seats and modifiying rear cargo area. Any new owners out there pulled them out yet?

I just gave you a link to the European website that has the steps on how to remove the seats.

I am not posting the steps here directly as it will most likely contrivene copyrite.

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: Third row seat modification

interested in modifiying rear cargo area once seats are removed as in my 1st post in modifications

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: Third row seat modification

Have a look at some of the 120 threads where people have built custom drawers and shelves.

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: Third row seat modification

thanks for your help, i had a quick look and the web site you found. I'm sure in a couple months people will be posting there designs that fit into the 150's. Only problem with a bolt in draw system is if you want to cart something big it's a big job unbolting draw system. Rack system i use on my 120 is in and out in 30 sec.

[stan Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close stan]

Re: Third row seat modification

It looks like the second row of seats don't flip forward like the 120 series and with their slide mechanism they will not be as easy to remove. It also looks like they will not leave as flat a space as the 120 series.

The upgrade is not looking good at this stage. Less flexibility inside and reduced fuel capacity.

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: Third row seat modification

It looks like the second row of seats don't flip forward like the 120 series and with their slide mechanism they will not be as easy to remove. It also looks like they will not leave as flat a space as the 120 series.

The upgrade is not looking good at this stage. Less flexibility inside and reduced fuel capacity.

I'm not liking the news about the 2nd row seat not folding up like the 120's! anyone know for sure if they do or not?

Stan my upgrade is not looking good at this stage either, Less flexibility and room in rear and middle row seats and reduced fuel capacity. Where does Toyota get there ideas of backward steps. Does anyone like the fold down rear (3rd row) seats?

[ABR-SIDEWINDER Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABR-SIDEWINDER]

Re: Third row seat modification

The 2nd row slides forward and back and can recline too but only fold flat and do not flip forward. (GXL) Don't know about the 5 seat Prado or 3 door Prado.

I have used these slide rail bolts to hold my fridge slide in place until I build my drawer system.

Milford have just released a cargo barrier with free dual position mounting kit, I will first buy the barrier and then build the drawers.

At this stage my plans are to build the drawers on top of the 3rd row.

Regards

Derek from ABR

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Third row seat modification

The 2nd row's back can fold down flat but won't slide after that. The lever is next to the headrest.
To get it to slide, you pull the lever at the seat base towards the rear. This tilts the seatback forward and then the seat slides forward. Unfortunately, it doesn't slide forward enough to allow easy access for passengers to get to the 3rd row.

The 120 series has a much better 2nd row design even though it doesn't slide back and forth. When I sat in the 3rd row in the 150, the roof is much closer. So loss in boot height but the volume should be regained somewhat widthwise now that the seats don't fold to the side.

As others have said, it is now a bit harder to customise the boot for drawers and installation of the lifestyle rack. IMO, the Prado has gone 'softer' in the boot area.

[ozgeoff Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozgeoff]

Re: Third row seat modification

To get it to slide, you pull the lever at the seat base towards the rear. This tilts the seatback forward and then the seat slides forward.

Are you saying this lever allows the seat to slide forward as well as tilting? I've tried using it and it tilts the seat but doesn't seem to allow the seat to come forward. The only way I could get the seat to slide forward was by using the lever at the front of the seat. Perhaps I'm missing something here?

[mcsumway Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcsumway]

Re: Third row seat modification

That lever only works that way on the passenger side seat - to allow egress to the rear seats.

On the Drivers side the only way to slide is the bar under the front of the seat.


At least thats on the GXL

Warren

[ozgeoff Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozgeoff]

Re: Third row seat modification

That lever only works that way on the passenger side seat - to allow egress to the rear seats.

That'll be the answer ... thanks Warren!

[BenTas Member Find all posts View Profile Close BenTas]

Re: Third row seat modification

Saw a GX for the 1st time today, and managed to get a photo of the rear seat area.
Looks the Goods, pity the other models don't come out like this, with the seats as an option !!!
Anyone who wants the additional seats for their GX can give me a call and make an offer !
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