Full size boot & removal of 3rd Row Seats in GXL/VX

[Paulo01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Paulo01]

Hi all,

I am looking to purchase a prado, with the decision between a late 120 or early 150 to be made.

I have done a lot of reading and would be interested in the 150 except for the reduction in boot space from the 3rd row of seats folding away. I am not interested in a GX and would be looking at a VX or maybe a GXL.

After many searches, I've seen people remove the seats and replace with draws, but I am not after that. Is there any sort of factory option outside of the GX pov pack?Or am I best to stick with a late 120? Surely toyota would understand not every one has 4 kids in this day and age.

Thanks,
Paul

[Bobcrusader Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bobcrusader]

The 150 middle seats slide back/forward, so you can balance boot space vs middle seat leg area. You can't do that on the 120. It's easy enough to remove the rear seats and replace with a false floor, which saves about 50kg in weight. Drifta would be able to sell you a false floor for a 150. In terms of GXL vs VX, the 150 VX seats you want to remove are leather and electrically controlled, so a lot of wasted luxury if you take them out. Get a GXL and spend the difference on suspension, diff locks, etc.

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

I'd personally go the 120 route in this area. The 3rd row seats pop in/out in 5 secs. We only have 2 kids but the 3rd row has been used a few times for friends etc. The bigger boot too is a huge +.
The amountof times I've put stuff in the back and it only just fits is nothing short of funny. If I had a 150 I'd have to get my trailer out (aka cbf)

[Paulo01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Paulo01]

Thanks guys. It's a real shame as I know I'm not the only one and it sorta defeats the purpose of driving a big forby if it has less space than a commo wagon. I guess it rules out the 150 and I am now on the hunt for a low k vx or grande 120.

[Mr ok Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mr ok]

The commo wagon is longer and wider than a Prado. The Prado is not a big forby, for example the Patrol is 200mm longer and 100mm wider than a Prado.

Prado 120 length = 4850 mm with spare wheel on rear door.
Prado 120 width =1875mm
Prado 150 length = 4930 mm with spare wheel on rear door.
Prado 150 width = 1885 mm
Commo VF wagon length = 4919mm, but no spare wheel hanging off the back.
Commo VF wagon width = 1898mm

[Paulo01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Paulo01]

Ok fair point, was more so meaning that with the rear space down it doesn't really do the wagon justice. But wouldn't have picked the commo being wider!

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

I totally agree that there should be a 5 seat GXL option. Just seems silly to be paying for a 3rd row to be included then paying again for it to be removed. The 3rd row also means that the boot tends to get cooling air in the summer (a good thing) but also hot air in the winter (not that good) - unless you turn of the whole 2nd/3rd row air system (I think). I prefer the design of the 120 and 200 for easier seat removal but I think they miss out on a boot area cover. The 3rd row is OK is you need it but not only do you loose space but the resulting load height is very high.

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

I'd personally go the 120 route in this area. The 3rd row seats pop in/out in 5 secs. We only have 2 kids but the 3rd row has been used a few times for friends etc. The bigger boot too is a huge +.
The amountof times I've put stuff in the back and it only just fits is nothing short of funny. If I had a 150 I'd have to get my trailer out (aka cbf)

I thought the same till I dropped my 120 false floor into the 150. Fell in with space to spare.



The only difference is in the 120 the wheel arch trims are much lower and the 150's come right up high.

From a depth and width perspective the 150 is a little larger, and since removing the 3 row seats and knocking up a new (larger) false floor the height would have to be around the same as the 120 also.

[RossE Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RossE]

I don't have the skills or experience to do fancy fit-out so kept things very simple for this basic work to my 2016 Prado GXL. Took out 2nd and 3rd row seats, put in some rigid foam insulation to keep down road noise, bought some mild steel strap from Bunnings and made up some support brackets for the front of the platform (first made some card templates for these) and fitted this ply floor with rubber mat cover. Before loading for a trip I tape some rubber pieces to the wheel well projections in the cab to avoid scratching. Have made several trips and this set-up works fine for me.

[col58 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close col58]

Digging up an old post and potentially an old topic at that, but does anyone know the legal/compliance requirements to remove the 3rd row seats in NSW? I'm waiting on some mechanics who do blue slips to call me back but curious if any has been down this route and wouldn't mind sharing their experience. I wouldn't want to deal with this come rego time, not to mention insurance companies.

This is the product I went with using all existing factory holes, no drilling or anything else required - https://lawsonautomotive.com.au/prod...se-floor-copy/

[gunda Member Find all posts View Profile Close gunda]

I've just ordered a floor from Off Road Systems, on the SW outskirts of Sydney. $320 + shipping + install. I don't have it installed yet, but I saw their stuff at the Caravan Show in Sydney in April and it looked pretty good to me.

[col58 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close col58]

I spoke to a blue slip inspector who mentioned to leave the seat belts in and keep the seats, so that at any given time, you can convert back if required or if you're selling the car. This makes it a "temporary" change and not required by law to be rego changed.

[GeeWhizz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GeeWhizz]

I bought my 2016/17 Prado GX second hand from a National Wholesale dealer with about 70k km on the clock. It was advertised as a 5-seat vehicle, which was what I was looking for. The load area had a fitted rubber mat embossed with the word "Prado" - I don't know if it is a Toyota or after-market one.

My surprise came when I lefted the mat to check out the extra storage space I thought I has bought. There were two folding seats under there! The short story is that the seats are wrapped in black builder's plastic in my shed, never to see the light until I sell the car a long time in the future. The seat belts remain in place (now that I realise they are there!). I have probably given my vehicle around 35kg back for reuse.

Anyway, I have made a square timber frame with a hinged lid for additional storage, painted black and covered with the hide-all fitted rubber mat that hid the truth when I bought it.