Lack of Driver Accessible Storage

We are getting ready for our first extended roadtrip in our new 4Runner Trailhunter. Driver accessible storage is going to be grounds for divorce if the passenger must do everything; that includs helping the driver wipe his nose). I would LOVE some ideas from everyone here. I’ll post pics of things that will help on our first road trip. I’m guessing this will evolve and many here can improve and expand on this.

What I have noticed while running errands etc. is a lack of driver accessible storage. I am not stopping to get a Kleenex, hairbrush, or whatever from the back. Guys, my husband needs more things while driving so…. He shoves his stuff over on me.That is not happening on an extended road trip.

That teeny tiny little drink area, and center console area, IMHO, sux. It provides minimal space for 1 person. Don’t bring a passenger - seriously. They won’t ever want to go on a roadtrip in your very expensive luxury car.

Here are a couple pics of my initial solutions to keep marital harmony. The last pic shows what the driver will have access to. That friggin 30 year old Coleman Cooler is a God send, a blessing! It is more than perfect. It fits very snuggly and won’t slide off. In fact, those aftermarket company’s will have a best seller if they should make a comparable product for the 4Runner. I looked and couldn’t find anything like that.

So the driver can wipe his/her own nose, or grab a paper towel, or other personal stuff, the bag hung on the headrest hooks will works for now. The passenger will have their own bag as well. The guys who experience prostrate issues already know what else is needed without explaining that in detail. You really don’t want to ask anyone for help with that! We laugh but this is real world road tripping.

 

I’m posting another pic of the cooler so you can see how the lid works. It slides and you can choose if you want a flat or drink side up.

 

It sucks that the designers wasted usable space with a grab handle and a giant 4WD knob and buttons right where you would want to store things.
It’s luxury car prices for a non luxurious car.

 

My spidey sense detects a molle-compatible Kleenex box carrier in the works….

 

The 5th gen doesn’t have a ton of space either. It requires a bit of planning. It’s helpful to select of the right size water bottles that fit the both in the door and center console, so you can move them around for space as necessary.

I also ended up permanently mounting a little bag on the side of the center console that goes into the passenger foot well area.
It doesn’t really get in the way when I’m seated in the passenger position and can also be accessed from the drivers seat. You could try experimenting with mounting something similar on the molle panels the 6th gen has on the center console.

 

One of the things I quickly noticed coming from a Tacoma to my 5th gen 4Runner, is the Tacoma has 5 cupholders on the center console, while the 4Runner has only two. To address this deficiency, I got one of these wedged between the passenger seat and center console:

$20 Car Seat Organizer Cup Drink Holders,Multifunctional Gap Filler Storage Box,Insert Organization Helps Reduce Distracted Driving&Holds Phone Mount Mug Bottle Cellphones Coasters Wallet Cards (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T9CGCR9/
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07L1DG1CP



The faux carbon fiber starts peeling after a year, so I just peeled it off leaving the black plastic showing.

 

Giant 4WD knob is carried over from 5th gen. 15 years of wasted space.

 

I have a lever and the area around the lever works well for storing small items.

 

^I too have the 4WD lever (takes up a lot of space). The shallow coin tray is useless. The narrow slot is maybe good for French fries.

 

I grabbed one of these (maybe from a different seller though)

$20 TACOBRO Armrest Hidden Compartment Tray for 2025 Toyota 4Runner – Center Console Organizer with Touch-to-Open & Close – Premium ABS Material, Easy Installation

https://www.amazon.com/TACOBRO-Armr...4&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY

 

You don't plan on going down the road with the can of Pepsi in the open position do you? Maybe our roads are worse than yours. We have a Coleman just like yours, we just love our little Coleman, and when we go on extended trips we use 20 oz. bottles, but not sure if the bottles fit. I was wondering what kind of prostate issues you're speaking of? I had prostate cancer surgery 2 years ago, and enjoy driving our 4Runner on all kinds of trips, to town, joy rides etc., no problems(issues). On those long extended trips we like to get out periodically to stretch, go to the bathroom, nibble on a snack walk around for a min., just refresh. Maybe we'll stick with our 5th Gen.(2020) for a while until they sort out the storage problem in the 6th Gens.

 

I purchased a nicely made plastic drawer for the silly cubby in front of gear selector on ebay.
Both sizes offered by a few produces.
Not much space but for little things works great.
Mine needed a little filing & sanding because some edges were too sharp. Fit perfect.

 

Have him wear a fly fishing vest, plenty of pockets to hold a personal sized Kleenex and assorted necessities right there on him! Switch drivers? No problem, all of his stuff moves with him!