So i have been thinking...split 3rd row - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jimmied · 03-20-2010, 10:12 PM

I have been wondering if a good upholstery shop would be able to cut and seam back together the upholstery and seatback to allow the third row to split. I know I would lose some functionality of the cable pull but a little extra manual labor never hurt me before.

Anyone have any thoughts on making this happen. I probably need to find a spare third row seat to examine to mechanics of it but i am thinking i can make this happen.

ronsec · 03-21-2010, 06:53 AM

Interesting idea! You can probably get anything you want done - for a price.

I think it would be very expensive because the seat hinges are located on the outside edges of the seat (as I recall). This means the seat would have to be split, framing and hinges installed on each half where the backs meet, and then reupholstered. Could it be done? Probably. Would you be willing to pay the price ($$$$$)? That's up to you. I'd be curious what a custom shop would charge to do the job. Good luck!

naturoses · 03-21-2010, 10:26 AM

Wow, Thanks Jimmied, I was waiting to see a thread like this come up for a long time. So, I am not alone in asking such questions. Splitting the 3rd would be more space friendly in times of need.

Can we achieve? Probably, I may not be able to afford it but love to see how this can be achieved. I written about this in the past, may be we all should complain to Toyota and get them fixed this for free or something by making it sound like "SERIOUS PUBLIC DEMAND". This the best time to do that, I guess...

luck123 · 03-21-2010, 03:12 PM

Not having a split 3rd row was one of my pet peeves with the HL when I was shopping around for an SUV, but I can live without it. I don't know, but I would be a bit concerned about the safety passengers in the 3rd row if in a serious accident. Would an aftermarket job provide the necessary support/strength? Personally, for this reason, I would not risk it.

ryan_rus · 02-08-2011, 09:08 PM

I've written Toyota Canada about this very issue. The result was my letter being forwarded to the Product Planning Department. Basically, this was probably a nice way of saying, "No" or "How about buying a 2011 Highlander with a split third row"...

My opinion is if enough people speak-up they may offer an option but it would be very costly and probably not worth the cost-benefit of Toyota doing so. Even still, I would gladly pay a lot of money to gain the extra versatility. It would be much less than buying a new truck.