I bought a preowned 2004 GX470 and have question about middle seats folding up. I can get the small 1/3 seat to fold up allowing for longer items, but is the 2/3 section supposed to do the same? It almost acts like it is releasing on the side by the door, but the inside clamp won't budge. Is it cable activated?
TIA
David

 

36 lookers, can anyone shed light to my issue?
Dave

 

There is the lever on the side that lets you recline the seat. It also will let you "tumble" the seat forward to allow more cargo space. Pull the lever up and the seat back folds forward, and the bottom will rotate up from the rear. By the way, when folding the seat back down, there is an orange safety stop under the seat that prevents it from folding. Just push the orange piece toward the frame it is on, and the seat will fold.

 

Allight Dave...the answer is Yes - both sections fold up and back up against the front seats. The only thing I am thinking is that something is stuck in the metal bracket keeping you from popping that 2/3 seat up. I would try with a little force to pull the lever, while pushing the seat backwards (towards the rear tailgate). This might jar it loose. Then pull the seat towards the front.

Let us know how it works.

 

SC400man and Jason,
Thanks so much. I could have swore it was supposed to fold up but didn't want to break anything. I have been known to cost myself several paycheck before by using too much force.
Anyway, I was a ble to free it and it works great now.
Thanks again,
David

 

I have the same problems with my 2003 GX, I later found out that sometimes the middle row bench does not "latch" properly when it's in the normal seating position.

Try giving it a push down on the seating surface (you might hear a click) then perform the fold forward tumbling sequence to fold the seats forward.

 

Another thing to watch out for are the seatbelt clips where the bench splits.
I've done it a couple of times and it wouldn't fully fold forward b/c of those.

 

My latch near the center wasn't releasing. It may have been the first time ever tried(who Knows). Anyway I have it functioning properly now. I did see where you need to tuck the center seatbelt in before folding though.
Thanks to all,
David

 

I have this problem now with the 2 seater bench maybe someone can chime in, I pull the lever it folds the seat back down or adjust the recline while you sit, but does not tumble forward like the single seat does.

I am not sure what to try
should I attempt lift the seat bottoms off their latch from the back? don't want to break anything.. just hopefully it's just someone spilled something sticky and cause it to feel stuck and not the lever issue.

 

sometimes I find the first pull of the lever will only fold it down but not go up, then I put it back in its normal position and over time have figured out that if you sort of put a little upward pressure like to lift the seat with one hand and then pull the lever its more likely the whole thing will slip forward. basically shake the seat a little as you pull the lever and it should want to come up. takes a little bit of a magic touch, its the same system in the LX470 which is a little touchy. the 4runner one they simplified a bit. I definitely had the same problem and stared at it for a while before figuring out how to get the seats down.

Its actually a good thing cause you don't want the seat latches coming undone everytime a rear passenger tries to recline the seat some, wouldn't be safe.

 

Try what was mentioned earlier - after the back folds forward, push down on the back of the seatback to relieve tension before trying to lift it up.

Chip H.