Can a sliding rear cargo deck be easily removed?

I am considering adding the sliding rear cargo deck onto my 4Runner from the factory. My question is, can it be easily removed if not needed? TIA!

 

I watched a Utube on removing it. Search Utube. There are 2 panels hiding the bolts securing it to the frame. You need to pry the panels up from the front edge, not rear. There are plastic clips that retain it in rear edge that will break off if not slid forward. Seems the carpeting underneath may not be the same as factory vehicle with no sliding cargo deck. It can be removed, not that hard. May need to modify carpet. Utube video shows it all

 

your signature is literally my desired 4Runner.. Lol

 

Nice. Mine is to arrive a week from tomorrow. The sliding rear cargo deck looks like it will be very handy.https://youtu.be/QH393WhO8pI

 

i absolutely love the concept of the sliding cargo deck.. however i do know that the cargo deck has a weight limit of only 440 pounds. which leads me to ask if it can be removed and reverted back to original if desired.

 

It can be removed but you’ll have to buy or swap with someone who wants the sliding cargo tray if you want an OEM look and feel… there are a lot of people on this forum who would happily swap their stock cargo area carpet and insulation for your tray, trust me I was one of them. The cargo area carpet and insulation are different, and there is a 2” height difference between the cargo area and the folded flat rear seats when there is no tray - with the tray, the folded seats and the tray are level (helps if you sleep in the back), when removed there is a gap.

First mod I did when I got my 4Runner was swap with another member!

 

440 lbs will more than meet my needs. I hunt with my 4 Runner so I’ll be removing hunting gear (backpack) from cargo area; not bending over and reaching in for stuff will be convenient. Using as tailgate will be nice. I’ll have toolbags and stuff on there for doing tractor maintenance at my farm. Getting cooler out at dove field will be nice. Just seems like a great factory option to me. I’m coming to 4 Runner from a Tacoma TRDOR. I did all these things with truck bed and Tonneau cover in Tacoma. When I need to haul more stuff, I have a 5x10 ft utility trailer, that will hook right up to hitch for trips to Home Depot. Can’t wait to get the 4 Runner home. I used a Jeep Cherokee years ago in similar manner for hunting and it worked well. The Tacoma worked well. Now back to SUV type vehicle in Toyota family.

 

I made the same progression from a 1996 4Runner to a 2010 Tacoma and then 2018 Tacoma, and now back to a 2022 4Runner. All along I kept a 5x10 trailer for heavy, dirty, lower lift height hauling:

 

Agreed. Even with my Tacoma I had a Tonneau cover on bed. If I wanted to get some mulch or topsoil, I would take my trailer rather than have the front loader bucket dropping material directly into the truck bed. I have seen trucks sides get damaged with sloppy front loader handling. So using the trailer with the 4 Runner is not unusual for me. I would be doing the same thing with a truck. After having a trailer I don’t think I could function without one. And with the number of friends borrowing it, seems many agree. The 4 Runner gives me some options I didn’t have with the Tacoma. Must admit the Tonneau covered Tacoma served as additional lockable, covered storage space. With 4 Runner I don’t need a Tonneau cover and still have covered lockable storage space in vehicle.

 

Absolutely brilliant advice! exactly what I needed to know. Thank you for adding this info to your post.

 

^^^Yup. The floor is not flat without it. I learned the hard way because I wanted the moonroof so no tray.