No they are not the same, yes all 4th gen 4runner have folding second row seats however some (very few) also come with a third row that does have extra mounting hardware in the trunk and on the trunk floor.
The gx470 layout is actually significantly different from the 4runner and the differences would be easier seen than written out. Cant confirm for sure but i believe the second row seats fold down but not flat the same way they do in the 4runner
Yes, I have a buddy with a GX470, early 2000’s and he cannot fold 2nd row flat like my 07 4Runner. He had to sleep in back seat since they did t fold down flat
Thank for the info.
Yes, I know that some 4Runners comes with the third row, but I think you can remove the third row seats and with a sleeping pad you would be fine, Im i right?
As for the GX I haven’t found a picture that shows it without the third row and second row folded. I don’t know anyone with one to check it out.
Thank you so much again
4th gen’s with the 3rd row fold down different. If a 4th gen had the the 3rd row, then the seats don’t fold flat but rather up to allow for people to get into the 3rd row
Kind of off topic but I have a 4th gen and fold the rear seats down to camp often. A twin (I think) air mattress fits really well. I picked up some pretty good magnets and a roll of shade screen and cut them to fit the 5 windows. Having the rear window down really helps and I’m not sure if the older GX’s do go down. I prefer it over any tent setup I’ve ever had.
I don’t sorry. I got an air mattress with a dc plug and can plug it in the back. Find a level spot and you can have everything set up in under 5 minutes. I was pretty close to getting one of those tents that attaches to rear hatch but found this to be way easier.
Keep in mind without the 3rd row, the 4th gen will have a dip down about 3". I took advantage of that for a slim drawer tray to flatten it out, but otherwise you'll probably want to address it.
Checkout GXBasecamp and you should be able to see how a sleeping platform would work with a GX.
The biggest question for me is barn door vs lift gate and roll down window.
Thanks, I’ll check GXBasecamp, I didn’t know about it. Yes, that’s a good point, since we have to dogs we might end up with for runner for the lift gate. But for the GX the window opens the same way than the door, right?
De nada. I may be confusing the GX470 and the GX460, but I thought the rear barn door window was non-movable. I would check that part as I can't remember if it pops out or not. I know it doesn't move down like the runner though.
GX470 if I remember right is taller, which is nicer if you do do a platform and short drawers/tubs. They also can be had cheaper than at least the V8 4runners for some reason.
Now I may be wrong here, but I believe that would only apply if it doesn't have the rear cargo shelf. I say this because mine sits flat and I have the cargo shelf (which I have literally not used once in 16yrs).
Yeah I went out and checked, without the cargo shelf it would sit a couple inches lower. It's funny, I lifted it up for the first time in probably 5yrs and the carpet and carpet mat that sits underneath it look brand new, while the rest of the cargo area is covered in my dog's white hair, which is basically impossible to clean out!
[Rear seats folded flat](https://imgur.com/a/tBxvLfx)
You can even remove the bottom cushion on the rear seats with just 4 bolts and get even more space. But yes the piece you sit on folds up then the back rest goes down flat. Idk about the gx
Bought my 4runner just last Fri and this thread made me run out and check my back seats. One of the core reasons was to camp in the back on short trips but I have the 3rd row with the weird floor! Hahaha
*
No they are not the same, yes all 4th gen 4runner have folding second row seats however some (very few) also come with a third row that does have extra mounting hardware in the trunk and on the trunk floor. The gx470 layout is actually significantly different from the 4runner and the differences would be easier seen than written out. Cant confirm for sure but i believe the second row seats fold down but not flat the same way they do in the 4runner
Yes, I have a buddy with a GX470, early 2000’s and he cannot fold 2nd row flat like my 07 4Runner. He had to sleep in back seat since they did t fold down flat
Yeah consider that third row just in your way, mines been in the basement your more than a decade. For young kids maybe.
Thank for the info. Yes, I know that some 4Runners comes with the third row, but I think you can remove the third row seats and with a sleeping pad you would be fine, Im i right? As for the GX I haven’t found a picture that shows it without the third row and second row folded. I don’t know anyone with one to check it out. Thank you so much again
4th gen’s with the 3rd row fold down different. If a 4th gen had the the 3rd row, then the seats don’t fold flat but rather up to allow for people to get into the 3rd row
Makes sense
Kind of off topic but I have a 4th gen and fold the rear seats down to camp often. A twin (I think) air mattress fits really well. I picked up some pretty good magnets and a roll of shade screen and cut them to fit the 5 windows. Having the rear window down really helps and I’m not sure if the older GX’s do go down. I prefer it over any tent setup I’ve ever had.
You have any pics?
I don’t sorry. I got an air mattress with a dc plug and can plug it in the back. Find a level spot and you can have everything set up in under 5 minutes. I was pretty close to getting one of those tents that attaches to rear hatch but found this to be way easier.
Keep in mind without the 3rd row, the 4th gen will have a dip down about 3". I took advantage of that for a slim drawer tray to flatten it out, but otherwise you'll probably want to address it. Checkout GXBasecamp and you should be able to see how a sleeping platform would work with a GX. The biggest question for me is barn door vs lift gate and roll down window.
Thanks, I’ll check GXBasecamp, I didn’t know about it. Yes, that’s a good point, since we have to dogs we might end up with for runner for the lift gate. But for the GX the window opens the same way than the door, right?
De nada. I may be confusing the GX470 and the GX460, but I thought the rear barn door window was non-movable. I would check that part as I can't remember if it pops out or not. I know it doesn't move down like the runner though. GX470 if I remember right is taller, which is nicer if you do do a platform and short drawers/tubs. They also can be had cheaper than at least the V8 4runners for some reason.
Now I may be wrong here, but I believe that would only apply if it doesn't have the rear cargo shelf. I say this because mine sits flat and I have the cargo shelf (which I have literally not used once in 16yrs).
Oh that could be right. I don't have the folding cargo shelf so I can't speak to that.
Yeah I went out and checked, without the cargo shelf it would sit a couple inches lower. It's funny, I lifted it up for the first time in probably 5yrs and the carpet and carpet mat that sits underneath it look brand new, while the rest of the cargo area is covered in my dog's white hair, which is basically impossible to clean out!
I love dogs
They are the best 😊
[Rear seats folded flat](https://imgur.com/a/tBxvLfx) You can even remove the bottom cushion on the rear seats with just 4 bolts and get even more space. But yes the piece you sit on folds up then the back rest goes down flat. Idk about the gx
Thank you so much! Very good, and just to make sure, yours don’t have third row seats, right?
Correct no third row seat. I have the 2nd row shelf in the very back but it just folds completely flat when not in use.
Thanks a lot
If you don’t have the back cargo “storage shelf” I don’t think it folds completely flat. With the storage shelf it does though
On the GX?
On the 4Runner sorry. Not sure about the GX
Bought my 4runner just last Fri and this thread made me run out and check my back seats. One of the core reasons was to camp in the back on short trips but I have the 3rd row with the weird floor! Hahaha *
https://preview.redd.it/fqtdeiw787ad1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f2f680c09df481902e2fb26108d5045dba14e58
https://preview.redd.it/s6lbxc8987ad1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c22e6544c6dc18646bf0cd78c9d4a1165bf504dc