Second row removal?

[earthltd]

I will need to remove the second row seats to get my camping and telescope gear into my 2011 HL. Has anyone done this on their 2nd Gen?

Is it mainly removing the bolts holding the glide rails to the body and lifting the seat out in one piece? I hope the bolts are blind and I do not need to access nuts on the underside.

What are the cables running from the seats into the body? It looks like I would have to remove the seat before I can even see how they might disconnect.

With my previous vehicle ('93 4Runner), I had the factory manuals with all mechanical info. Is there any similar source for the HL?

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by earthltd

With my previous vehicle ('93 4Runner), I had the factory manuals with all mechanical info. Is there any similar source for the HL?

Google Toyota's TIS (Technical Information System), which is the complete manual online with downloadable documents, etc. $15 for a two day subscription last I checked. I used information from TIS that helped with the removal of my 3rd row seats and interior side paneling...very helpful.

[earthltd]

Thanks! Sounds like exactly what I need. I'll check it out next weekend.

[earthltd]

Before you sign up, you can easily spend more than an hour on the tutorial (very worth it), FAQs, and updating Adobe and Flash. I recommend the free CutePDF utility to print the PDF's to files. When you go to print, you can select CutePDF as a printer. It then prompts you for the Folder to store it. Easy.

Browsers;
Firefox let me save the PDF's under their own name automatically. Explorer saved to a single default name (ugh, too much typing to correct). On the other hand, Firefox did not display enough of a couple of buttons at the top to be able to use them. Hopefully these problems will be fixed.

The two day subscription was actually longer. I signed up on Saturday morning and it didn't expire until Monday, 11:59PM PDT.

Tons of documents. Have your areas of interest written down to search. Just browsing through is interesting and you can find gems but you wouldn't want to miss saving useful info when you run out of time.

[earthltd]

The second row seats came out. The only difficulty was disconnecting the previously mentioned cables running to the left rear of the car that fold the seats down when you are at the hatch.
To level the area for packing gear, I made a platform that drops in and easily bolts down. The holes around the edge are for tie downs. I found a $20 adjustable cargo net that should be perfect for keeping the gear from shifting while letting us access a cooler and personal gear on the road. All the gear should fit without exterior storage. (And I still have roof rails and tow hitch for future use.)
The 3rd row area doesn't have a best solution yet. Those seats are never going back in unless I sell the vehicle.
I can hardly wait for this summer's trips!

[grandpapa]

Originally Posted by earthltd

The second row seats came out. The only difficulty was disconnecting the previously mentioned cables running to the left rear of the car that fold the seats down when you are at the hatch.
To level the area for packing gear, I made a platform that drops in and easily bolts down. The holes around the edge are for tie downs. I found a $20 adjustable cargo net that should be perfect for keeping the gear from shifting while letting us access a cooler and personal gear on the road. All the gear should fit without exterior storage. (And I still have roof rails and tow hitch for future use.)
The 3rd row area doesn't have a best solution yet. Those seats are never going back in unless I sell the vehicle.
I can hardly wait for this summer's trips!

You should have gotton a minivan, much easier when it comes to carrying things around.

[earthltd]

Originally Posted by grandpapa

You should have gotton a minivan, much easier when it comes to carrying things around.

There is that. I just didn't like what I looked at. And I'm very happy with the '11 Highlander.

[9volt]

Originally Posted by grandpapa

You should have gotton a minivan

Most people that buy SUVs would probably be better off with a minivan. Other than hating that they are driving a minivan.

[Ralph6410]

Originally Posted by earthltd

The second row seats came out. The only difficulty was disconnecting the previously mentioned cables running to the left rear of the car that fold the seats down when you are at the hatch.

I am hoping to take my middle passenger side out to provide space for a cooler. Did you obtain any TIS instructions or just use common sense?

I see that your platform is raised a bit, is this because when the seats come out the floor is still not smooth / flat?

Removing the seats in my minivan to provide floor space was so easy I did it all the time.. on my HL perhaps not so often

[earthltd]

Originally Posted by Ralph6410

I am hoping to take my middle passenger side out to provide space for a cooler. Did you obtain any TIS instructions or just use common sense?

I see that your platform is raised a bit, is this because when the seats come out the floor is still not smooth / flat?

I'm very handy but I did need the TIS instructions to unclip the cable.

Right. The HL floor is not flat. The HL comes up around the rails that the seats move on and even there it is uneven. I rarely carry more than my wife but often I need to move an awkward cargo. So now, it's everything I need.