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Middle Seat Flat Folding

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by esavi87, Nov 8, 2018.

  1. Nov 8, 2018 at 11:57 AM
    #1
    esavi87

    esavi87 [OP] .

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    Hello! I have a 2015 Sr5 premium model with the 3rd row seating option. I was unaware until yesterday that the 40 section (passenger side) of the 60/40 folding middle seats doesnt have the capability to fully fold flat. Has anyone been able to modify this?
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  2. Nov 8, 2018 at 9:28 PM
    #2
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Are you talking about the ramp up, maybe 2 inches, between the rear seats and third row when the seat is folded? If the third row wasn't there it would just be the back storage area, is that what you mean?? Not understanding why only the 40 section won't fold flat?
     
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  3. Nov 9, 2018 at 6:47 PM
    #3
    esavi87

    esavi87 [OP] .

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    I've attached a picture, the one side folds down, but the other side only slides forward. I am wondering if there is a way to modify so the full backseat will fold flat.

    20181109_165416.jpg
     
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  4. Nov 9, 2018 at 7:06 PM
    #4
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Ahhhh...Thanks for the pic as that explains it all. Wow I didn't know the third row models were like that. I guess it's like that to allow access to the third row. Can't believe they can't make a seat that goes forward and still folds flat. I guess you could always go to the junk yard or shop for a 40 seat from a non third row model to fix this. But then it won't move forward to allow third row access. With little ones this probably won't matter as they can just climb in there with the flat folded seat. Hope you find a solution.
     
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  5. Nov 9, 2018 at 8:09 PM
    #5
    edgesalon

    edgesalon New Member

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    20181109_201447.jpg 20181109_201500.jpg

    @esavi87

    your middle row has back and forward adjustment so move the seat back first with the latch by the bottom cushion by your legs not the one on the side that is for access to the third row then use the latch on the top of the seat fold and TADDA you get the whole back flat. :) hope this helps i will post pics
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2018
  6. Nov 10, 2018 at 2:45 AM
    #6
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    So it does fold flat! Problem solved. Glad I could help :D:D
     
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  7. Nov 11, 2018 at 12:02 PM
    #7
    doc4216

    doc4216 New Member

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    Adjust the bottom cushion of the seat fully to the rear using the lever by your feet and the seat will fold flat.
     
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  8. Jan 29, 2020 at 9:56 AM
    #8
    esavi87

    esavi87 [OP] .

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    @edgesalon Thank you for the response! I know i'm over a year late-I never got a notification and am just seeing this.
    Question-Does yours have the 3rd row option? Upon seeing this I ran out and tried, but it is totally non responsive when I pull the top lever, even when I have the bottom lever and the seat all the way back, per instructions. Almost feels like it's locked! Weird.
     
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  9. Jan 29, 2020 at 10:50 AM
    #9
    Huzer21

    Huzer21 New Member

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    By top lever, the one on the seatback near where you right shoulder would be. Not the one on the side near the bottom seat cushion. That lever is for the third row access.
     
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  10. Jan 29, 2020 at 11:06 AM
    #10
    esavi87

    esavi87 [OP] .

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    Hi @Huzer21 ! Thanks for the response. That is exactly what I tried. I used the bottom slider to slide seat in the fully back position, and attempted to use the top lever (same as on the other side that pulls down the 60 portion), but no luck. It seemed stuck, almost as if it was locked. Weird! It makes total sense but just does not work!
     
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  11. Jan 29, 2020 at 11:19 AM
    #11
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Did yours work to fold flat according to the instructions given?
     
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  12. Jan 29, 2020 at 12:20 PM
    #12
    esavi87

    esavi87 [OP] .

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    @glwood54 so far, no luck. I didn't have much time to get in there though so I will try again after work. I will post an update if I'm able to get it to function!
     
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  13. Jan 30, 2020 at 5:41 AM
    #13
    Roberge01

    Roberge01 New Member

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    I have a 2018 TRDORP and the middle row seat folds flat but I have to flip bottom of the seat up and forward first. There is a strap attached to the bottom portion of the seat that you lift up on to flip up and out of the way. Also the head rests need to be flipped down the for the seat to go down flat. It should all be the in owners manual, it's a beautiful thing.

    Instructions start on page 123 in my manual, they are pretty clear too.
     
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  14. Jan 30, 2020 at 6:55 AM
    #14
    Charlievee

    Charlievee New Member

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    Thats crazy talk. Next you will tell us, it can be downloaded from the interwebs for free!
     
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  15. Jan 30, 2020 at 7:48 AM
    #15
    edgesalon

    edgesalon New Member

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    he has 3rd row seats so its different than ones with only 2nd row seats only
    make sure the seat is all the way push back on the track
    it could be that the latch is stock your other side works then your have stock latch try some WD-40 or silicon lube spray at the latch area
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020
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  16. Jan 30, 2020 at 7:55 AM
    #16
    Roberge01

    Roberge01 New Member

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    I don't know that I would consider it crazy talk. Just trying to help out, not everyone checks the owners manual for info. Oh, and yeah it can be downloaded from the "interwebs" for free.
     
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  17. Jan 30, 2020 at 12:04 PM
    #17
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    I was asking @Strandskov, but feel free to chime in when you find out!
     
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  18. Jan 30, 2020 at 12:06 PM
    #18
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    2018 TRDORP with third row seating??
     
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  19. Jan 30, 2020 at 10:27 PM
    #19
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Hey, no biggie! I was just curious to see if the instructions about sliding the seat all the way back in order to fold the seat flat had been tried on your 4R. Unless you already know yours folds flat...
     
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  20. Jan 30, 2020 at 10:33 PM
    #20
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    From what I've read, the third row seat 4Rs are all that way. If you look at the photo above posted by @edgesalon, the seatback sits on the bottom of the seat when folded down. Non-3rd row 4R rear seat bottoms fold forward, then the back folds down behind that.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020
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  21. Jan 30, 2020 at 11:23 PM
    #21
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    For people that plan to occasionally sleep in the back with the middle row seats folded down... the non-3rd row equipped models are a better choice. Those with 3rd row seats have a lot of bumps and gaps.

    This was one of the reasons I chose non-3rd row. It’s an overall longer flatter space. There is a big difference between the two models in how the middle row seats fold down. So, look closely.

    In 3rd row vehicles, the middle row seat back simply folds down onto the seat bottom. And there is a gap between that seat and the rear “platform”.

    In non-3rd row trucks, the middle row seat bottom lifts up and folds forward, and THEN the back folds down. So there is no gap between middle and back row, but there is a little hump. Seems to me there’s much more usable space overall.
     
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  22. Feb 3, 2020 at 4:36 AM
    #22
    Roberge01

    Roberge01 New Member

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    No third row seating. I thought the middle row seats would operate in a similar way.
     
  23. Feb 5, 2023 at 4:03 PM
    #23
    Pablo58

    Pablo58 New Member

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  24. Feb 5, 2023 at 4:44 PM
    #24
    esavi87

    esavi87 [OP] .

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    Hey! Thank you-that is exactly what was wrong, amongst other things. I traded it up for a 17 ORP, and fixed all my problems! Haha. Stay rad, my dude!
     
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  25. Feb 5, 2023 at 5:49 PM
    #25
    RumHamRunner73

    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

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  26. Feb 5, 2023 at 6:42 PM
    #26
    Pablo58

    Pablo58 New Member

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    I had the same problem with a 2018 that i purchased just over a year ago. The previous owner yanked on the lever until it broke. I had to spend $65.00 to replace the lever and I am going to fix the cable myself. Not happy
     

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