Who in Here Actually Uses Their 3rd Row Seat(s)?

[Cerebral1]

Recently picked up a set of 3rd row seats, and just installed them in my newly acquired LX450.


1) Was just curious…I see quite a few members mention removing and storing (or worse, disposing!) of the 3rd row seats and I wanted to get a sense of how many members actually regularly USE their 3rd row. If you do, mostly for immediate family (kids)? Or for transporting friends/guests/extended family?


2) I had a little trouble with the installation—can’t get the last bolt to line up and thread in the driverside bracket because I think the bracket is slightly bent, but I’ll mess with it later. My passengerside rear seat is bolted in, lined up right, and operates smoothly….with one exception…


…Question: When folded down, do the rear seats actually LATCH onto the strikers in the floor? Or do they just rest in there? Mine only sits directly on top (I can lift the seat bottom up without pulling on the strap coming out the rear), and that has me a little concerned about safety in an accident.

 

[Travis 76]

They definitely latch, you have to pull the strap to lift them up. Sometimes I have to slam them down to get them to latch. Make sure they line up, the metal bar that connects to the pivot mount is supposed to line up the strikers, mine comes off sometimes so I have to make sure they match up.

Mostly use for friends and kids.

 

[Cerebral1]

They definitely latch, you have to pull the strap to lift them up. Sometimes I have to slam them down to get them to latch. Make sure they line up, the metal bar that connects to the pivot mount is supposed to line up the strikers, mine comes off sometimes so I have to make sure they match up.

Mostly use for friends and kids.

Thanks for the input. Hmm...the metal bar is connected, and the latch points seem to be lined up with the strikers on mine. Maybe I need to slam them down harder

 

[Rifleman]

The very first change i made to my truck the day after i bought it was to remove the third row seats. I still have them in storage, but In their place i built a raised storage, and sleeping platform, that's a whole lot more useful to me then a pair of third row seats ever were. YMMV

 

[thebus]

watch the plastic covers on back mount where it "clicks" into place

 

[plaidwagon]

I have them and use them. Most times they're removed and stored but it's nice to have the extra room. I have three little girls, bigger ones like the back row and windows they can open. Mom and youngest can have the center row. Once you get used to them it's a two minute reinstall when needed. I think the third row is one more nice thing the 80 series offers and makes this vehicle more practical for me.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, Seats which we use latch fine, work well, however all the plastic parts under the seat are cheaply built. Mike

 

[mingles]

I use one on the driver's side and have a half drawer/sleeping platform on the passenger side.

On long trips my teenage son rides in the third row with the second row folded forward. Tons of legroom. My son loves it as he has the entire rear of the vehicle to himself and is "removed" from his parents .

I also modified the fold mechanism on the third row so that it reclines. IIRC it just involved drilling out a stop pin in the hinge. The procedure is on MUD somewhere. Makes the seat much more comfortable.

 

[JaketheSSnake]

Yup, they latch. I use mine a lot with 3 kids. The little ones have the middle row and the teenager and sometimes dogs get the rear.

 

[REKCUT]

Never use 3rd row. Rarely have 2nd row in. Think i have 3 sets of 3rd rows lying around. 2nd row are in garage on top of fridge

 

[slow95z]

when we go camping or even riding trails with friends we often have 6 people so its nice to just keep them in.

 

[fz1boxer]

No kids just 3 boxers,took out second and third row seats then gave them away.
Needed the room for my. 3 kids.

 

[Proven]

I've used them with adults and kids. We've hauled a lot of people up a mountain to a cabin with them.

The kids also got a lot of use out of them before we got the sienna.

 

[Red Merle]

I have them and use them. Most times they're removed and stored but it's nice to have the extra room. I have three little girls, bigger ones like the back row and windows they can open. Mom and youngest can have the center row. Once you get used to them it's a two minute reinstall when needed. I think the third row is one more nice thing the 80 series offers and makes this vehicle more practical for me.

Yep. Great for hauling the whole gang in one car. That's the only reason I keep mine.

 

[Cerebral1]

They definitely latch, you have to pull the strap to lift them up. Sometimes I have to slam them down to get them to latch. Make sure they line up, the metal bar that connects to the pivot mount is supposed to line up the strikers, mine comes off sometimes so I have to make sure they match up.

Mostly use for friends and kids.

Finally got the passengerside one to click/latch...just had to put a little muscle into it Hope the plastic didn't break

 

[NateMob]

Pulled them immediately, anyone want a mint 97 3rd row, let me know!

 

[flintknapper]

I use mine to hold down a sheet that covers a couch I have in storage. Does that count?

Mine haven't been in the vehicle for over 15 yrs.

 

[malteserunner]

I bought my 80 BECAUSE it has third row seats. 5 kids and two adults don't fit in a 4Runner.

Now that I've owned an 80, I realize I should have got one years ago, for reasons other than the third row.

 

[MoGas]

Mine have been out in the shed for years. Almost a decade. I have a drawer system with a fridge back there, so it would be time consuming to put them in.

 

[Jgrauman]

Wife and 4 kids always in mine. 3rd row is a necessity. Just fold them up if I need the room and have a camping 5x8 trailer that's always loaded and ready to go. 3rd row is why we went from a 3rd gen 4runner to the 80