Removing 2nd row seats

[Joimas]

I love to use my 4Runners for camping because sleeping in the back was possible in all the old models. But with the new seat "tumblers," there is not enough room. So, I want to remove the seats and put a nice platform I can sleep on.
I am a woman with no mechanical skills. What would be the best option for me? I looked in the manual, but I can't find any directions for removing the seats.
Thanks!

 

[timelapse]

I removed the rear seats in my 5th gen for added storage space. Planning to do the same when my 6th gen arrives. It should only require a ratchet and some metric sockets.

There's another thread somewhere on here showing the 6th gen rear seats removed. It's a helpful reference. They left the hinges on the floor. I plan to keep the seat attached to the hinges and remove it altogether, if possible. That's the only way to get a flat surface. If you plan to build some unique storage that needs to fold, leaving the hinges attached to the floor might offer some added design possibilities.

 

[Old Spice]

There's another thread somewhere on here showing the 6th gen rear seats removed. It's a helpful reference. They left the hinges on the floor. I plan to keep the seat attached to the hinges and remove it altogether, if possible. That's the only way to get a flat surface. If you plan to build some unique storage that needs to fold, leaving the hinges attached to the floor might offer some added design possibilities.

Yea @Kokorone posted pics of all seats - first row, second row and third row all removed from his 2025 4Runner

Here's the thread:

Seats removal (1st, 2nd, 3rd row) from 2025 4runner 6th gen - photos
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...rd-row-from-2025-4runner-6th-gen-photos.2325/

Photos from that thread

 

[timetoclimb]

Can those attachment points/hinges that stick up also be removed to reach a flush surface?

 

[timelapse]

Can those attachment points that stick up also be removed to reach a flush surface?

I would assume so. On my 5th gen, I removed them as part of the full seat assembly.

 

[timelapse]

I was disappointed that the rear floor doesn't provide easy access to the extra space below it on the non-hybrid 6th gens. The photos reveal there is some useful stash space below. Has anyone figured out an easier way to access it? Maybe someone will produce an aftermarket floor with hinged access.

My biggest complaint about the 6th gen is the lack of useful storage compared to the 5th gen. The 5th gen rear doors hold more than the 6th gen and you get multiple below floor storage access options.

 

[zxrider11]

Go find an SR5 with the optional 3rd row seating.

With the 3rd row in the folded down position and the 2nd row seating also folded down - you get a pretty level sleeping platform similar to the Subaru Outback.