3rd Row Compatibility - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ldougherty · 01-25-2011, 09:31 AM

I have a 2008 Highlander with a 1 piece 3rd row; can anyone tell me if the 50/50 3rd row from the 2011+ Highlander will bolt into the 2008?

Yazon · 01-25-2011, 10:56 AM

While it most likely will, you should probably stop by the dealer and check out he mounting points on the new HL and then compare to yours.
I don't know if anyone had done a seat swap from the redesigned HL yet.

earthltd · 01-29-2011, 05:30 PM

Since I pulled my '11 third row out, all I can say is that the newer seat bolted to a long curved tube with a bracket at each end that looked like it could have been made to fit any mounts. I'm a design engineer and that is what I would have done, made the seat to fit existing mounts. Changes cost money, why change the body. Doesn't mean that's what they did though.

There is also a third support point, front middle. If anyone has the older seat pulled, we should be able to compare the rough mounting layout to see if they are obviously not compatible. A couple of photos and measurements are all it would take.

***TrailDust*** · 01-29-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthltd

There is also a third support point, front middle. If anyone has the older seat pulled, we should be able to compare the rough mounting layout to see if they are obviously not compatible. A couple of photos and measurements are all it would take.

You can check out my pics in the Mods & Maint sticky thread for the 3rd row seat removal for comparison.

earthltd · 01-30-2011, 06:33 PM

Looking at those photos, I would say that there is no easy fit of the '11 split seats into earlier models.

espressoo · 06-02-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthltd

Looking at those photos, I would say that there is no easy fit of the '11 split seats into earlier models.

Anyone have pics of the 3rd row seat out so we can see mounting points on a 2011 model with split 3rd row?

earthltd · 06-02-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by espressoo

Anyone have pics of the 3rd row seat out so we can see mounting points on a 2011 model with split 3rd row?

Sure. I'll have access to a pic this evening.

nick1sp · 06-02-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthltd

Sure. I'll have access to a pic this evening.

too bad you're in Arizona and not near the Tri-States area. (NY, NJ, CT)

earthltd · 06-02-2011, 09:39 PM

Indeed. It is a lot easier if you can look at the vehicle. The bolts on the sides may be the same as earlier models but I wouldn't know. The mount in the middle towards the second row is new.

espressoo · 06-03-2011, 11:26 AM

Thanks for the pics. From what I can tell, the center bracket looks different and the bar might be different to accommodate the new seats but they appear to be mounted in the same spots?

I have a 2010 Limited with beige leather and like it much better than the redesigned model. The only thing it's lacking is a 3rd row split fold. I'm very temped to swap with someone who has no use for the 3rd row if it's a direct fit.

nick1sp · 06-09-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthltd

Indeed. It is a lot easier if you can look at the vehicle. The bolts on the sides may be the same as earlier models but I wouldn't know. The mount in the middle towards the second row is new.

based on these pictures and pictures of the 3rd row swap. all the mounting holes are the same, the only thing different is the center bracket shape and possibly the crossbar. From this picture, it looks like the crossbar is directly above the mounting holes, but on the older models, it's further to the back. So definitely seems doable without modification.

rcan1015 · 12-18-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailDust

You can check out my pics in the Mods & Maint sticky thread for the 3rd row seat removal for comparison.

Hello,
I can't seem to locate the Mods & Maint thread to see the pics. Where is that forum located?

Thanks for any help,
Richard

***TrailDust*** · 12-18-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcan1015

Hello,
I can't seem to locate the Mods & Maint thread to see the pics. Where is that forum located?

Thanks for any help,
Richard

Hi, Richard. If you look at the main page for this 2nd Generation Highlander forum you'll see several threads highlighted in blue at the top of the page, those are the sticky threads and the Modifications & Maintenance sticky is one of them. Here's a link, though, to navigate directly to that sticky thread. The 3rd Row links are located in the Exterior Modifications sub-section.

rcan1015 · 12-18-2011, 11:26 PM

Thanks TrailDust--after seeing the photos, I think I'll stay with the 7 passenger seating and just carry a few less items when we travel. If I stripped down all those panels, I'm sure I would break some clips or introduce several more squeaks and rattles.

***TrailDust*** · 12-18-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcan1015

Thanks TrailDust--after seeing the photos, I think I'll stay with the 7 passenger seating and just carry a few less items when we travel. If I stripped down all those panels, I'm sure I would break some clips or introduce several more squeaks and rattles.

FWIW, I didn't break any panel clips, and the other member who I swapped with did not break any either even though his were an extreme bitch to get out. Also, I used the opportunity to cut out foam blocks and insert them as soundproofing between the outer metal skin and the inner plastic panels. I have never developed additional squeaks or rattles because of the effort. Just throwing that out as food for thought.