Getting a '18 200! Have some Q's about Apple Car Play and removing the 3rd row seats (2 Viewers)

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So last night I agreed to buy a '18 200. It's pretty close to the spec I want, has some little things done to it already and is a nice, low mileage, 1 owner rig. Should fit my garage make up well, I need a larger SUV as my winter DD plus kid/dog/stuff hauler.

I don't plan on ever using the third row seats and I'd like to remove them. Can I buy the 5 passenger side trim panels from a 5 passenger Heritage Edition to swap in to cover up the holes left behind? All of the threads I saw on here were too old, the HE hadn't been released yet. I assume I can use the HE trunk carpet mats to cover up those holes?

I've also read all the Apple Car Play threads, my question is which unit retains the most stock functions? The Beat Sonic? I don't really care about wireless CarPlay, I just want all the stock stuff (steering wheel controls etc) to work as intended and to have the most stable connection/unit as possible...

The rig is coming with two sets of wheels/tires, an aftermarket setup and the stock setup. I'm not really thrilled with the aftermarket setup, I'd debating either putting K02/3's on the stock wheels or getting a different set of aftermarket wheels. What are some decent wheels to consider, I just ran the stock ones on my GX470 so never really looked into it.

TIA!
 
I feel sure you can source the rear plastics but I'm not sure on the cost, when I removed my 3rd row I just bought the OE rear all weather mat to make the floor space more usable. There may be some seat mounting points that conflict with the rear plastic, but I'm not 100% on that.

I believe Beat Sonic or EC offroad keep the basic functionality of OE like CarPlay. I was going to go with Beat Sonic myself once their back in stock. On your final point, wheels are really subjective but the rock warrior wheels are a good choice if you can find a set, otherwise there are a ton of good looking reasonably priced options out there. I'm currently waiting on a set of Method 703's 17's in bronze for my LC, for what it's worth.

Edit: I think I found the physical trim pieces here: Interior Trim
Looks pricey, not sure its worth the $850-$1000 per panel price in my eyes.
 
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2-row rear plastics would be a serious commitment beyond just the cost. There are two issues.. the side panels, and the carpet.

For the side panels, to fit them you’ll need to permanently remove a metal bracket from the body of the vehicle on each wheel well. Those brackets protrude through holes in the 3-row panels and prevent the 2-row parts fitting. Sure you can cut them off but you’ll effectively never be able to revert back to 3-row and sell the vehicle as being safe.

For the carpet.. you should be able to order the 2-row carpet and throw it in, but I’m not sure if the colors will match, and you will probably be impressed by the price for what is just a cosmetic problem. This will require removing the rear quarter panel trim to install, if I remember correctly. The 3-row carpet has large holes in it where the legs for the seats will be removed. Most people removing 3rd row simply cover everything with a 2-row cargo mat. I went a step further and cut up some 1x4 wood to fit into the holes and prevent soft spots in those locations under the mat.

If you need more clarification on the brackets I can get some pictures. Many people have asked but to my knowledge no one has actually gone so far as fitting 2-row panels.

There have been posts about building covers for the brackets.. and someone does offer some parts that integrate cargo anchors into them.
 
Congrats on the choice! Just the trim to cover the 3rd row fasten points in the wheel well are not available from Toyota. The entire side trim from an HE is $686 retail per side. Some on here have been looking for covers and I’m not sure what the status is. Run a search for that on here. Yes, the HE cargo tray does cover the floor holes.

If your running it as a winter vehicle, rethink the KO2 tire choice. Others have found them iffy on ice.
 
I feel sure you can source the rear plastics but I'm not sure on the cost, when I removed my 3rd row I just bought the OE rear all weather mat to make the floor space more usable. There may be some seat mounting points that conflict with the rear plastic, but I'm not 100% on that.

I believe Beat Sonic or EC offroad keep the basic functionality of OE like CarPlay. I was going to go with Beat Sonic myself once their back in stock. On your final point, wheels are really subjective but the rock warrior wheels are a good choice if you can find a set, otherwise there are a ton of good looking reasonably priced options out there. I'm currently waiting on a set of Method 703's 17's in bronze for my LC, for what it's worth.

Edit: I think I found the physical trim pieces here: Interior Trim
Looks pricey, not sure its worth the $850-$1000 per panel price in my eyes.

Yeah, totally not worth spending that kinda of money, those are Porsche prices, not Toyota ones! If it's more like $3-400 for the pair I'd consider it. Is the OE all weather mat a plastic one, sorta like the WeatherTech?

Ok, sounds like I need to order the Beat Sonic now so I'll get one when they're back in stock. I've played with the idea of just having the current wheels (no idea what they are, they're a fairly classic looking 5 spoke) powder coated in bronze. They're currently black and the truck is black, I really don't like the "murdered" out look
 
Congrats on the choice! Just the trim to cover the 3rd row fasten points in the wheel well are not available from Toyota. The entire side trim from an HE is $686 retail per side. Some on here have been looking for covers and I’m not sure what the status is. Run a search for that on here. Yes, the HE cargo tray does cover the floor holes.

If your running it as a winter vehicle, rethink the KO2 tire choice. Others have found them iffy on ice.

I ran the K02 on my GX470 and they did great here in Colorado. We don't have a ton of ice, mostly snow/slush. What other AT tires are people recommending that are better for snow/ice compared to the K02? If I have to buy new tires I suppose it makes sense to get the best foul weather ones possible as long as they don't totally suck for dry/warm weather.

Yeah, totally not spending over $1300 for the trim, I'll just live with the holes. Kinda surprised no one has 3D printed any covers for them yet...
 
Yeah, totally not worth spending that kinda of money, those are Porsche prices, not Toyota ones! If it's more like $3-400 for the pair I'd consider it. Is the OE all weather mat a plastic one, sorta like the WeatherTech?

Ok, sounds like I need to order the Beat Sonic now so I'll get one when they're back in stock. I've played with the idea of just having the current wheels (no idea what they are, they're a fairly classic looking 5 spoke) powder coated in bronze. They're currently black and the truck is black, I really don't like the "murdered" out look
The mat I got is part number PT206-60200-02 and at the time it cost me $57
 
I'll sell you two amazon tie down loops for $100. :)

Ha, ha, thanks! Are the amazon tie down loops designed to fit in that space or are they just a generic tie down?
 
I'm being a smart alec. The mounting points aren't sharp, they're just a bracket with a blind nut. You can throw a tie generic tie down loop in them and have the same result for under $10. I have cargo boxes, so don't even see them anymore. Seems silly to sell a $130 tie down, but more power to them if they can get people to pay that for them.
 
There's also the Specialist 3D Products 3rd row seat delete panels as well.
 

That's a nice option too. Basically the same price as the other bracket/tie down but a more finished look. Where's everyone ordering the HE cargo mat from? I'm more of a German car guy (Order from RM Euro, FCP, etc) so are there similar websites for Toyota that sell OEM parts at a discount?
 
If gear hauling is your goal, have you considered drawers? For what you will spend piecing together a solution with new interior plastic or various floor mats, you can go a long way to getting a more functional alternative that will have the dual benefit of hiding you third row attachment points. There are many threads on various drawer options.
 
I'm in Denver and have an EC Offroad CarPlay unit if you're interested in checking it out. I think it works great. Solid unit with almost zero complaints. I work around the Centennial Airport and live by the Aurora Reservoir if you want to come check it out.
 
I'm in Denver and have an EC Offroad CarPlay unit if you're interested in checking it out. I think it works great. Solid unit with almost zero complaints. I work around the Centennial Airport and live by the Aurora Reservoir if you want to come check it out.
That'd actually be great. I don't live far from the Centennial airport. I'll drop you a pm
 
There's also the Specialist 3D Products 3rd row seat delete panels as well.
These are what I have, I actually just put them in a few days ago. Nice product and he sells some that have a ring incorporated as well for tie downs; took about 3 weeks for them to show up from Australia. I probably won't ever use the tie downs, I just wanted a way to plug up the hole before I put drawers in so nothing falls in there and rattles around. You'll also notice the large holes in the carpet which you might want to plug up as well. I have a spare workout mat laying around I think I'm going cut a few pieces to "plug up" the holes in the floor as well

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