Yes, quite a bit. We took the 2nd and 3rd row seats out of our Sienna(so we could carry our bikes inside) and it looks great, as the seats were on-top-of the carpetting. It looks as if we take the 3rd row seats out of the Highlander we will see a mess. We will never use the third row seats and it would be nice if we could get a bit more storage space. The Sienna has lots of cubbyholes all over the vehicle, we are surprised the Highlander has not made use of these cubbyhole areas.
Yes, quite a bit. We took the 2nd and 3rd row seats out of our Sienna(so we could carry our bikes inside) and it looks great, as the seats were on-top-of the carpetting. It looks as if we take the 3rd row seats out of the Highlander we will see a mess. We will never use the third row seats and it would be nice if we could get a bit more storage space. The Sienna has lots of cubbyholes all over the vehicle, we are surprised the Highlander has not made use of these cubbyhole areas.
Nancy
You might try and do what I did, which was trade my 3rd row seat with another member's storage bin. Took a few months for someone to respond, but once we connected we made the switch and both were happy. You might want to look at the 3rd Row Seat Swap and 3rd Row Seat Removal threads in the Maintenance & Modifications sticky for more info and pictures. No guarantee that you'd be able to connect with another member, but I'm living proof it can be done with some perseverance and luck.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Read those threads. Is the storage bin made specifically for the Highlander? If we removed the seats we would leave that area open, not put a cover on it. We have the capability of putting some sort of wood(plywood?) in the bottom of that area and then covering that w/carpet. I would not want to cut the exisiting carpet though.
Read those threads. Is the storage bin made specifically for the Highlander? If we removed the seats we would leave that area open, not put a cover on it. We have the capability of putting some sort of wood(plywood?) in the bottom of that area and then covering that w/carpet. I would not want to cut the exisiting carpet though.
Yes, the bin is specifically made for Highlanders produced without the 3rd row seat (back in 2008 only the Sport trim line had the "no 3rd row option" if memory serves). No carpet needs to be cut, and like you can see in the last photo I have in the swap thread there is a very small part of the storage bin base that can sit on the existing carpet. You could cut it if you wanted, but either way it doesn't matter because you just can't see that area under virtually any circumstances. Originally I left my back open too, but given that I wanted to sleep in the back while camping I really, really wanted to have the bin and rear deck. I think someone with decent carpentry skills can make their own deck out of plywood, no problem.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Read those threads. Is the storage bin made specifically for the Highlander? If we removed the seats we would leave that area open, not put a cover on it. We have the capability of putting some sort of wood(plywood?) in the bottom of that area and then covering that w/carpet. I would not want to cut the exisiting carpet though.
Yes, the under area is very uneven. The frame has a divider between 2nd and 3rd row that interferes with it being a nice storage area. My 3rd row is permanently out and I haven't built anything better yet. For now the Husky cargo area liner is covering it and protects the cables and such while keeping dirt and small stuff from migrating into the area. It is flexible and allows loading up. There is one unknown device near the hatch that I protect from getting hit that is mostly under the vehicle but protrudes up through. Clearly the space was never meant to be useful.
That said, the increased storage is great! My Trek 29er goes into the back easily (until I get a hitch mount). Also hauled an old refrigerator as a favor. (I miss my truck.)
Just purchased a 2010 base model with gray cloth seats. No 3rd row. Interested in swamping the storage bin for 3rd row. Anyone in Central TX interested?
Just purchased a 2010 base model with gray cloth seats. No 3rd row. Interested in swamping the storage bin for 3rd row. Anyone in Central TX interested?
Thanks,
Dirk
BTW, Dirk, you might want to bump your thread in the Want To Buy/Trade forum once a week so it remains can stay visible near the top of that forum. The more eyes that see it the better. That's what I did when I posted up for my swap, plus I placed a link to the thread in my sig, and it took about six months till I hooked up with another TN member. Hope you can connect and enjoy the same...
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
I just purchased a new 2011 Toyota Highlander base with the 3rd row in grey cloth. I am interested in trading for the factory storage compartment. I am in San Antonio, Texas. I sent you a private message Dirk.
Yes, the under area is very uneven. The frame has a divider between 2nd and 3rd row that interferes with it being a nice storage area. My 3rd row is permanently out and I haven't built anything better yet. For now the Husky cargo area liner is covering it and protects the cables and such while keeping dirt and small stuff from migrating into the area. It is flexible and allows loading up. There is one unknown device near the hatch that I protect from getting hit that is mostly under the vehicle but protrudes up through. Clearly the space was never meant to be useful.
That said, the increased storage is great! My Trek 29er goes into the back easily (until I get a hitch mount). Also hauled an old refrigerator as a favor. (I miss my truck.)
If you build a nice area, post photos!
Have you noticed ANY decrease in fuel consumption since the removal? I'm guessing that with the weight reduction in your H/L you're getting some improvement in the 'gas-milage' department.
Ever the optimist!
MD
__________________ In memoriam NYPD DAOS / NYS OIG #77 '12 Highlander SE - Sizzling Crimson Mica / Black Interior / V6 / 4WD + Tow Prep Pkg; OEM Mud Guards; OEM All-Weather Mats; Camry horns; Weathertech Vent Visors & AVS Bugflector II.
'09 RAV4 Base - gone.
'06 Highlander Base - gone. R.I.P Seattle Mike / Joe S.
Have you noticed ANY decrease in fuel consumption since the removal? I'm guessing that with the weight reduction in your H/L you're getting some improvement in the 'gas-milage' department.
Ever the optimist!
MD
As someone who removed the 3rd row seat I'll chime in. I can't say that I definitively observed a difference in mileage, but with the 3rd row seat removed (52 pounds) and also not lugging around the 2nd row center seat/arm rest in the 1st row storage bin (20 pounds), that reduction of 72 pounds certainly hasn't hurt mileage and can only help. I'd guess that it would make a difference in a couple tenths of a mile per gallon.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
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