6 in car, without getting rid of drawers... Any suggestions?

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

Hi guys,

I have a 90 series Prado with rear drawers that I absolutely love. I just can't handle the thought of having to take them out.... However our 4th child is on the way, and I now have to start considering my options. As I see it I have 3 options:

1) suck it up, remove the drawers and put the 3rd row seats back in (not gonna happen...). Where do I then store all the family's gear when we're off-road and camping, I don't want to always be dragging the CT around.

2) Modify the drawers to only take up half the rear, and then put one seat back in the 3rd row. This is the cheapest and possibly easiest option.

3) change the front bucket seats to a bench seat, and have the oldest child squeeze in the front... This way the rear setup stays as is. Not sure if there are bench seats available for a 90 (maybe a hilux one might fit?), then what happens with regards to it being legal and compliant?

4) Sell the 90, and buy a Fourby that has a front bench seat, and start again... Maybe a 105 series cruiser, I can't seem to come across to many other fourbys these days with a front bench seat.

Just wondering what others have done that have had a similar dilemma?

Also perhaps someone may know of another option that I am missing?

Thanks in advance guys and girls.

Cheers,

Rob.

[Guest Close Guest]

The 105 with the bench seat doesn't look very comfortable for the middle position with the manual stick and handbrake lever in the way. Being the most basic models, it loses out on many safety features. The 6cyl 4.2L NA isn't exactly a powerhouse either but it is a lot cheaper than the TD version.


With drawers, they actually take up quite a lot of room. If you use 16mm ply, that's 32mm per side, so 64mm. Then add the sliderail thickness which are 20mm each and you lose 84mm of width. So consider making a stack of drawers out of sheetmetal to get back your volume. Also use soft bags to stuff them into every nook and cranny. It's amazing how much volume there is if every bit of space is used up.

You can also get spare tyre rubbish bags for light stuff or even tow hitch mounted baskets (I have one of these and has been useful for small boxes).

[GEEEXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close GEEEXL]

mitsbishi delica

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

You can also get spare tyre rubbish bags for light stuff or even tow hitch mounted baskets (I have one of these and has been useful for small boxes).

Are these baskets tough enough for extended dirt road/ corrugations? And how do they affect departure angle?

[Guest Close Guest]

Are these baskets tough enough for extended dirt road/ corrugations? And how do they affect departure angle?

I probably wouldn't do it with the cast Toyota towbar on the 120. With the other towbars that bolt to the chassis rails, possibly if the tongue of the basket is tightened in the tow hitch.

[Pugaree Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pugaree]

Industrial blender.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I'm sure a larger front seat could be done, with additional belt, but it will require an engineers certificate to be legal. It is something thats likely to be noticed during safety inspections.

I'd consider custom making the rear shelf, run it in split. Bring the trailer on bigger trips.

Also, isn't there 70 troop carriers that seat 9 or so? I know you already can fit 8, but the troopy may have more space.. maybe?

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

2) Modify the drawers to only take up half the rear, and then put one seat back in the 3rd row. This is the cheapest and possibly easiest option.

I'd do this. Have the drawers as a stack, 1 on top of the other instead of side by side.