Replacing third row seats with cargo storage

greynolds · Jun 25, 2008

Since I was unable to find a Highlander with the 2 row seat option, I was stuck with 3rd row seats that I didn't really want. But I REALLY wanted the extra storage space, so I contacted Toyota of Dallas to see if we could figure out what parts were needed to make a swap. The parts (with 1 exception) arrived today and I did the swap in a couple of hours. The required parts are:

64993-48040 - Deck Box (this is the very back box that the tools for tire changing go), list price is $303.07
58411-48020-E0 - Deck board to cover the storage area, list price is $376.29
58423-48010 - Right spacer, list price is $189.54
58424-48010 - Left spacer, list price is $189.54
58415-48020-E0 - Board to cover the front of the spacers, list price is $84.10
90179-06274 - Nut (need 4 of these for holding the spacers down), list price is $1.52 each
90080-11255 - Bolt (need 4 of these for holding the spacers down), list price is $1.44 each

The part numbers for the deck board and the spacer cover will be slightly different depending on what your interior color is. After discounts, the parts cost $896.10 including $75 for shipping.

The only part that hasn't arrived yet is 58415-48020-E0, but it should be easy to install this later and if I were doing this again I would seriously consider not bothering with this part as the 2nd row seats hide where this will be installed most of the time.

Part 64993-48040 is almost not needed - it's the same as the part that's there with the 3rd row seats, but with a few different inserts - one for catching the deck board when it is closed, and a couple others to cover up holes that aren't used in this configuration. This is a real shame as it ought to be possible to buy a few $5 parts to swap this part from 3rd row to no third row.

The only slightly tricky part of the install is that installation of the spacers requires cutting out some carpet behind the 2nd row seats and then cutting out some styrofoam to gain access to bolts that are already in the floor that the spacers bolt to (using the 90179-06274 nuts). Not really difficult, but a minor slip with the razor blade could make a mess out of the carpet.

Full removal of the 3rd row seatbelts was a significant part of this effort as it requires taking several panels at least partially apart to gain access to the reel so it can be unbolted and removed.

The whole job took me about 2 hours, and I'm very happy to be rid of the 3rd rows seats and have a nice big storage compartment to use. I still have a little more carpet trimming to do, but I'm going to hold off until the cover for the spacers arrives to see just exactly what it will cover.

Here's a parts diagram showing the relevant parts (the 2 spacers actually interlock - once installed they are effectively 1 piece):

greynolds · Jul 7, 2008

Here are some pictures showing the end result. The new storage area is roughly 20"x41"x7", so it gives a pretty decent amount of covered storage in place of the 3rd row seats I never would have used. After receiving and installing the front cover (part #58415-48020-E0), I definitely think it's worth the extra $84 to make the job look a lot nicer in the end.

I'd love to see a picture of the cargo area on a Highlander that came with this feature from the factor to see if the floor has carpet or if it's bare like mine is.

peterfreedom · Jul 8, 2008

Wow! Nice Job but expensive

I want to do the same with my HL Sport that will arrive this week at the dealer but not at this price. I think I will try to make one with Good looking Plywood that I will Paint or stain.

Can you put heavy objects on top of this Storage? I use my SUV to transport bags of Black Earth or other stuff like that on spring. Thanks.

greynolds · Jul 8, 2008

peterfreedom said:
I want to do the same with my HL Sport that will arrive this week at the dealer but not at this price. I think I will try to make one with Good looking Plywood that I will Paint or stain.

The price for the parts definitely made me blink, but I decided that if I'm going to keep the Highlander for a while, the price isn't so bad spread out over a number of years. The best way to avoid the high price would be to locate an owner who wants to swap their storage parts for your third row seat parts. The thing that would be tricky about this would be the carpet - I suspect that the Highlander with the 2 row seating option has an entirely different carpet than the Highlander with the 3 row seats, but swapping the entire carpet would probably be a PITA project. The changes I made cutting the carpet up are the only thing I can't reverse if I wanted to put the 3rd row seats back in (not that I would want to).

Can you put heavy objects on top of this Storage? I use my SUV to transport bags of Black Earth or other stuff like that on spring. Thanks.

Yes, the cover should be able to handle pretty substantial weight. I have no worries about crawling onto it if I need to and I'm most definitely not a small guy

.

evoman said:
This is a great write up and thanks for the photos

It looks fantastic without the thirdrow...how much does the cover weigh?

Thanks for the compliment. It's hard to judge, but I'd guess the cover only weighs 4-5 pounds - it's some sort of plastic material.

Something I'm considering is having the cargo bin sprayed with bedliner (Rhino liner or something similar). I'm not sure how expensive that would be, but it would finish the job off nicely.

evoman · Jul 8, 2008

great write up

This is a great write up and thanks for the photos

It looks fantastic without the thirdrow...how much does the cover weigh?

evoman · Jul 11, 2008

Wow...

That is really expensive for the plastic risers($190x2) and the board($377)....phew...:sosad:

But mabey you can recover that with the sale of your third row?

greynolds · Jul 11, 2008

evoman said:
That is really expensive for the plastic risers($190x2) and the board($377)....phew...:sosad:

But mabey you can recover that with the sale of your third row?

It definitely wasn't cheap, but I'm really happy with the end result. The parts are most definitely not worth what they charge for them, but it was the only way to get what I wanted. Someone else had mentioned they tried selling their third row parts without any luck, but there'd be no harm putting a post up on Craig's List.

Luxotic · Jun 25, 2012

Adding 3rd Third Row Seat

Hi everyone,

Great info out here for a swap and going from a 3rd row to cargo but how about if I have a factory 2 row and want to add the 3rd row. I called the dealer and they said it can't be done. I assume if you can swap I can add a third row assuming I can get all the parts. Which leads me to 2 questions one being can I add and the other is "What parts do I need to completely add a 3rd row?"

Thanks In Advance

greynolds · Jun 25, 2012

Luxotic said:
Hi everyone,

Great info out here for a swap and going from a 3rd row to cargo but how about if I have a factory 2 row and want to add the 3rd row. I called the dealer and they said it can't be done. I assume if you can swap I can add a third row assuming I can get all the parts. Which leads me to 2 questions one being can I add and the other is "What parts do I need to completely add a 3rd row?"

I replied to this in the other thread.

Edit by TrailDust: That goes ditto for me. :thumbsup:

HybridHighlanderPrius0807 · Mar 5, 2021

I have a 2008 Highlander Hybrid but it only has 5 seats. Im still confused if is possible to add the third row and does it have to be a third row from the same highlander or there other options from other cara brands or styles that can fit??? Car is white in the outside, inside is gray panels with gray leather seats. Im located in CT even if theres someone that can point me to the right direction. Thank you all. Let me know

Replacing third row seats with cargo storage

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