Third row seat delete with Goose-Gear platform

I removed the third row seats and replaced them with the Goose-Gear platform. There isn't much out there on this modification so I wanted to post some pics for anyone that may be interested. It was a fairly easy job and provides a versatile platform in the back for gear or dogs or whatever.

 

I went the cheap route with plywood.

I also installed Victron for charging my ecoflow while driving.

 

Nice. Cures the monstrosity Yota came up with for the cargo area. My daughter wants to buy a used one to replace one of her 2019's. She wants better mpg's and good cargo space for dog rescues. Good to see some solutions are coming out, thanks.

 

Any problems when you take it in for service? Do you need to remove it for them?

 

I haven't had it serviced since the install. I don't think I'll have to remove the panels unless there is a problem with the hybrid system. The third row seats are bolted in and set at the base and don't pivot and roll forward like the second row, so it wasn't designed for easy access. You have to remove several plastic trim pieces to access the seat bolts and those pieces don't seem designed for frequent removal.

The panels will be easy to remove if access is required to the batteries. They are attached along two rails with screws and lift right out. Three screws in the top and bottom rails on the wide side and two screws in the top and bottom rails on the thin side. The panels are then connected together along their seam with screws in those brackets you see in the second pic.

 

Well, fack. I forgot the 3g doesn't have fulltime 4hi. That's pretty much essential for Colorado winters.

 

There are a gazillion 5th Gen 4Runners out in Colorado, and unless it's a limited trim, it's got part-time 4wd. If you are not driving in parking lots or taking turns that require more than a half turn of the steering wheel, you'll be all good on dry pavement even. If there's a snowy mix going on, just pop it in 4hi and call it a day, unless then parking lots are dry, then take it out as soon as you're about to turn in.

 

I really appreciate you posing all these photos. They answer the main question about the system I had. I was wondering if the weight of gear would be on the battery pack, but I can see from your photos that the weight would be resting on those two rails, which appear to be mounted on the seat bolt areas. So, there is no weight directly on the batteries. That is awesome.

I have a deposit on a 2025 TRD Pro Tundra (Mudbath) which will be here in about a month. I'm basically between that and the LC LC trim with Premium package. The main two factors in favor for the LC is the flat floor and fulltime 4wd. However, when I sat in it, it was narrow. I'm used to my current 4Runner with a very low center console so my right knee doesn't even touch it. I test drove a Platinum Sequoia and I didn't think to check this, but I do recall noticing how comfortable the driving box was. I didn't at-all have the sense of narrowness that I did in the LC.

Anyway, thanks again for the pics!

 

Understood, but my perspective is Shelby and her pals at souldog.org have enough to worry about doing spay/neuter clinics and rescues down on the Rez. They don't need an additional worry to remember to pop it out of 4hi when they go into a gas station.

Many of the drivers are volunteers so their job has to be easy, not exhausting worrying about f'ing something up because they didn't remember to pop it out of 4hi. That's where fulltime 4hi shines. A 1000 mile roundtrip from Denver to Durango then onto the Rez every month of the year to work is a chore and a half.

I'm disappointed Yota doesn't offer the sweet Torsen center diff on all models. 2G Sequoia has it on the base model SR5, they're falling behind the competition.

Have a good day and donate to charity.