The following isn't much of a modification, but I thought it deserved a home somewhere, so here it is! If you're looking for a comfortable way to sleep in your 1990 to current 4Runner, this page is for you! Just after I bought my 4Runner, I was curious to see if I would be able to sleep in it if I needed or wanted to during my camping trips. Well, it was to no avail. The only way I would fit (I am 6') is if I would lie at an angle, but even then I needed to have my legs bent to fit. It would also mean seriously rearranging gear. I gave it up and didn't give it any further thought.

Fast forward to the fall of 2003. On a fall color outing with one of my good friends, Brent Doerzman, he showed me how he setup the inside of his 1995 4Runner. I was stunned that he had his sleeping bag set up length-wise! All he did was remove the seat to free up the much needed extra room. As simple as this was, I was surprised I had never even thought to check this. Sure enough, it's easy to do.

Remove the two bolts (arrows) holding the seat in with either a 12mm or 15/32's socket (not sure about the size for the 1990-1995 4Runners)

Remove the seat and screw bolts back in. This really opens things up.

I then use a Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest foam pad, which is 72x20x5/8"

Then goes on a Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp self-inflating air mattress, which is 72x20x1.75"

Here is a side view. Also on display here is my wonderful Coleman BlackCat propane heater. I've used this in my tent with lows at 13-15 degrees with snow falling, and it heated it up to 30 degrees when I was ready to get up. It really makes getting up on cold mornings bearable. 30 degrees has never felt so wonderful!

Note: I only use this heater 5-15 minutes before heading in for the night (if the truck isn't already warm; if it is, then I just use its heater), and 5-15 minutes before getting up in the morning. When it is running, I have at least one window down a bit, or a door open. I don't have a need to run it all night since my bag is warm enough. Caution (ventilation) must be used as it does emit carbon monoxide.

I have pretty much discontinued using the heater. One, for the extra space and mostly level surface it requires, and two, I just haven't really needed it on even mornings as low as 5 degrees.

My big (82x35") -5 degree rated Slumberjack bag and a pillow tops things off

Use whatever room is left to store your gear. The tonneau cover comes off at night.

With the seat all the way forward, there is now 8" of available space. A far cry better than being tucked in the fetal position if you leave the back seat in. Even if you're 6'8", you can sleep in the back of your 4Runner, too!

It's night-night time! Note that my ExtremeAire case is level with the lowered seat back, which my pillow goes atop of. If you don't have a similar tool box, or the like, you'll need to stuff this area full of blankets or some other gear you have to do the job.

For those hot summer nights, ventilation will be in order. But, you sure won't want all kinds of bugs entering in with the windows down and walking all over your face while you're trying to sleep. I picked up a roll of screen and a magnet roll from a local Home Depot to cover the windows. I cut the screen larger than the window openings so it would overlap onto the metal for the magnets to stick onto. The sticky adhesive that is on the back of the magnet will not stand the test of time, so use a glue gun and glue the strips on the screen. The finishing touch is to add a Coleman Tent Fan, or similar, for some good air flow.

A 36"x84" roll of screen ($6) and magnet roll ($5). 84" of screen is enough for three windows, though I only made screens for two.

The screen fitted to the rear window. Syle points: 0; Functionality points: 10!

Coleman Tent Fan ($13). It has a VERY strong magnet mount for tent use and is indicated to last around 16 hours. A better option, however, which I have yet to buy, would be a fan with a clamp style mounting system in addition to a flexible neck for easy aiming. Specifically, O2-Cool's Flexi Clip fan, model 1261.

Fan loosely mounted to the handle. This may not be where I will have it mounted in actual use.

Well, that's the story. I'm sure there are a number of folks out there who are already doing this, but I'm sure there are just as many who have yet to find out about it. The padding I have is pretty comfortable, but I have since added 49" x 72" foam matress pad under it that I have folded over itself for even greater comfort. I do a lot of moving around before I fall to sleep, but having the 20" width is plenty sufficient for me. One could always remove the other seat for more room as well, so long as you don't think you'll be carrying any passengers. This has really proven to work out great for me. I can leave camp right away and not have to spend fifteen minutes packing down my tent if I don't plan to be at the same spot for another night. I can get right up and go photograph sunrise, although it is super tough because this setup is very, very comfortable!

Also, those eerie footsteps that I usually hear when I'm out traveling solo will be less of a hair-raising of an experience behind the doors of the 'Runner! I guess I can't forget about those midnight mountain thunderstorms, either. I can't tell you the number of times (well, actually I can, but for the sake of storytelling . . .) I have been scared out of my tent from lightning flashes and the enhanced volume of thunder that bounces off the mountains and canyon walls. It is nice not having to retreat three times in a night and losing a lot of sleep over this!

Some folks have added cargo boxes for storage and for sleeping atop of in the back end. While many have done terrific jobs with their setups, and no doubt they serve a great purpose for those owners, I personally like having the extra room when I'm inside. As I mentioned at the top, I am 6', and I can sit up pretty straight and make sandwiches or do some gear reorganization in the back. I really love being able to move freely. This would be nowhere near possible if you raised your sleeping surface.

Overall, this has been one of my favorite, and most fun, aspects of the 4Runner. I love having everything self-contained, and the sleeping is very comfortable. I can't ask for anything more than that.

Total number of nights camped in the 4Runner since March 2004: