The First Mod Every 6th Gen 4Runner Owner Should Consider: Double Your Usable Cargo Space

[Snowball]

Hey! Thanks for the interest. This platform would not interfere in anyway with your second row seats, we had them folded up to showcase the platform. Let me know if there are any other questions I can answer for you!

That’s all I needed to know. I’ll be placing an order soon!

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[4funner]

Im waiting to see if you come out with a second row delete. That would have me seriously thinking about opening my wallet

 

[Snowball]

Just placed my order. I’m not big on posting photos or reviews as my photography skills are poor at best, but I’ll update here once installed!

 

[OvrLnd99]

@AmericanAdventureLab

Any update on the Hybrid model options or the possible second row delete? I had your platform on my last Wrangler and loved it and used the heck out of it. I am hoping to get a similar product with second row delete on my hybrid.

 

[Snowball]

So my system came today and I installed it this afternoon. It consists of:

The base/platform (of course)
2 - 6” drawers
1 - fridge slide

It’s definitely not the fanciest setup, but due to the modular nature I could always add more if wanted/needed to.

First off, every part/section was shipped individually and packaged better than anything I’ve ever received. I’m sure the boxes could have fallen out of the back of a semi with no damage! Every piece was in perfect condition after unboxing (which took a bit due to the multiple layers of packing).

Secondly, this stuff is built extremely well. I had pretty high expectations, and they were definitely exceeded. The way everything bolts together definitely makes for a very stout system that I expect will hold up to anything I’ll put in it, as well as many miles of travel. I haven’t driven the 4Runner with it installed yet, but i don’t expect any rattles or noises.

They do mention it’s advisable to use medium duty (blue) thread lock on all fasteners, so I did, and likely would have anyways as I use thread lock on anything attaching to a vehicle.

I only have two critiques over the install process.

The first is that the base frame gave some difficulty with aligning to the factory bolt holes they chose to use. There are six substantial attachment points. It took quite a bit of tweaking to get 5 aligned. I could have slotted the holes in the frame more than was done by AAL and likely got the sixth hole to align, but I instead opted to just put a thin strip of butyl rubber under that particular point to eliminate a potential future vibration/rattle and call it good.

In fairness to AAL they mention there will likely be a bit of this difficulty in the instructions (which are very good by the way). According to them this is due to variations in the mounting points between vehicles. After looking at these bolt holes and the way they are welded in at the factory I can definitely see how there is probably variation enough to cause some difficulty like I experienced. I could likely be an extreme case, and others may have all six holes line up with no issue.

The base is so stout, and the attachment points so substantial, I have no worries about the lack of the sixth bolt. This system is very overbuilt for anything I can throw at it.

The second issue was more a miscommunication than an issue. When I placed my order, I did it over the phone as they were having some issues with their website that day. Based off the recommendation of the person I talked to, I ordered 12 of the “HD MASS connectors” (4 per component to be installed on the base or stacked on another component).

These are not compatible with the 4Runner base as far as I can tell. The drawers and slides came with bolts to attach them to the base/attach when stacking. I likely won’t pursue returning them as they weren’t terribly expensive, and it did provide me a few extra of the same style bolts used to attach things to the base. Every component now has 8 attachment points to the base or the drawer below it in the case of the fridge slide.

I didn’t take any completed pictures as it was/is pretty late when I finished the install, but I’ll take some tomorrow and post them.

If you made it this far you are probably interested in the system, so the big question is would I recommend it/buy it again?

Definitely! There are several similar drawer systems out there, but for my use case the AAL was perfect. I’m looking forward to setting up the drawers with tools/recovery gear as well as a few other things.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I’m not a big review writer/photo poster, but I’m highly impressed with this setup, so I think it’s worth a few minutes to write a decent and honest review for anyone else considering it!

 

[mobileninja]

I would buy a hybrid base plate in an instant once it’s available. I have two drawers. A fridge slide a flat top slide and several other molle options and misc AAL gear from my old jl wrangler. Love these parts. They are extremely well made. I’ve been holding on to them in hopes a hybrid base plate becomes available soon. My trailhunter needs these drawers! I may try to rig the jl base plate to make it all work but my goal is to keep things clean. I invested in these parts so trying to stay patient. Come on AAL!

 

[mmasse]

Platform

1. What are the rated load capacity and the platform's own weight, and is the rating static or dynamic (off-road)?
2. What are the deck height and the usable deck dimensions (length, width, and clearance to the hatch and to the factory trim)?
3. Does the platform change how the rear seats fold or what you can do with the seat backs?
4. Has the platform been revised since the prototypes, and if so, what changed?
5. Do the access doors have locks? If so, are they keyed or tool-secured, and does that differ between the fixed and removable doors?
6. If I want an aux battery and onboard air, do I need the fixed doors? Can I use the removable doors if I put the battery elsewhere?

Drawers
7. Does the 7x5 drawer (36" exterior length) fit the 6th gen platform? How much hatch and bumper clearance does the 34" slide extension need on the 4Runner?
8. What is the rated capacity of the 4", 6" and 10" drawers, and who makes the slides and where?
9. What does the "Include Drawer Locks" option cost, and are the locks keyed (and keyed alike across drawers)?
10. Can the 4" drawer be stacked on a 6" drawer on this platform, and what is the combined height?


Materials and finish
11. What material and thickness are the platform brackets, and how do you isolate the steel from the aluminum to prevent galvanic corrosion?
12. Which finish do you recommend for a mixed-use vehicle in a winter climate with road salt, raw, textured black powder coat, or Mil-Spec, and what is the difference in durability?


Ordering
13. What are the current lead times for the platform and the drawers, and how much does powder coating add?
14. Does the military discount apply to the platform and drawers, and can it stack with any bundle pricing?

 

[AmericanAdventureLab]

So my system came today and I installed it this afternoon. It consists of:

The base/platform (of course)
2 - 6” drawers
1 - fridge slide

It’s definitely not the fanciest setup, but due to the modular nature I could always add more if wanted/needed to.

First off, every part/section was shipped individually and packaged better than anything I’ve ever received. I’m sure the boxes could have fallen out of the back of a semi with no damage! Every piece was in perfect condition after unboxing (which took a bit due to the multiple layers of packing).

Secondly, this stuff is built extremely well. I had pretty high expectations, and they were definitely exceeded. The way everything bolts together definitely makes for a very stout system that I expect will hold up to anything I’ll put in it, as well as many miles of travel. I haven’t driven the 4Runner with it installed yet, but i don’t expect any rattles or noises.

They do mention it’s advisable to use medium duty (blue) thread lock on all fasteners, so I did, and likely would have anyways as I use thread lock on anything attaching to a vehicle.

I only have two critiques over the install process.

The first is that the base frame gave some difficulty with aligning to the factory bolt holes they chose to use. There are six substantial attachment points. It took quite a bit of tweaking to get 5 aligned. I could have slotted the holes in the frame more than was done by AAL and likely got the sixth hole to align, but I instead opted to just put a thin strip of butyl rubber under that particular point to eliminate a potential future vibration/rattle and call it good.

In fairness to AAL they mention there will likely be a bit of this difficulty in the instructions (which are very good by the way). According to them this is due to variations in the mounting points between vehicles. After looking at these bolt holes and the way they are welded in at the factory I can definitely see how there is probably variation enough to cause some difficulty like I experienced. I could likely be an extreme case, and others may have all six holes line up with no issue.

The base is so stout, and the attachment points so substantial, I have no worries about the lack of the sixth bolt. This system is very overbuilt for anything I can throw at it.

The second issue was more a miscommunication than an issue. When I placed my order, I did it over the phone as they were having some issues with their website that day. Based off the recommendation of the person I talked to, I ordered 12 of the “HD MASS connectors” (4 per component to be installed on the base or stacked on another component).

These are not compatible with the 4Runner base as far as I can tell. The drawers and slides came with bolts to attach them to the base/attach when stacking. I likely won’t pursue returning them as they weren’t terribly expensive, and it did provide me a few extra of the same style bolts used to attach things to the base. Every component now has 8 attachment points to the base or the drawer below it in the case of the fridge slide.

I didn’t take any completed pictures as it was/is pretty late when I finished the install, but I’ll take some tomorrow and post them.

If you made it this far you are probably interested in the system, so the big question is would I recommend it/buy it again?

Definitely! There are several similar drawer systems out there, but for my use case the AAL was perfect. I’m looking forward to setting up the drawers with tools/recovery gear as well as a few other things.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I’m not a big review writer/photo poster, but I’m highly impressed with this setup, so I think it’s worth a few minutes to write a decent and honest review for anyone else considering it!

Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed review! We really appreciate the feedback, and I'm glad to hear you're happy with the system!

We put a lot of thought into making the MASS platform modular so everyone can build a setup that works for their specific needs. It's great to see that flexibility being put to use!

As for the mounting points, you're correct that there can be some variation between vehicles. We try to account for that as much as possible, but it's always helpful to hear about real-world installation experiences so we can continue improving things.

I also want to apologize for the confusion with the HD MASS connectors. Most of our drawer systems for other vehicles use those connectors, but the 6th gen 4Runner system is a little different. I likely didn't communicate that distinction clearly enough to our customer service team, so that's on us. We'd be happy to get those returned and refunded for you.

Thanks again for the honest review and for giving us a shot! If you're willing, we'd also love to use a few of your photos on our product page to show other customers what the system looks like installed in a 6th gen 4Runner.

Really appreciate the support!

 

[AmericanAdventureLab]

Platform

1. What are the rated load capacity and the platform's own weight, and is the rating static or dynamic (off-road)?
2. What are the deck height and the usable deck dimensions (length, width, and clearance to the hatch and to the factory trim)?
3. Does the platform change how the rear seats fold or what you can do with the seat backs?
4. Has the platform been revised since the prototypes, and if so, what changed?
5. Do the access doors have locks? If so, are they keyed or tool-secured, and does that differ between the fixed and removable doors?
6. If I want an aux battery and onboard air, do I need the fixed doors? Can I use the removable doors if I put the battery elsewhere?

Drawers
7. Does the 7x5 drawer (36" exterior length) fit the 6th gen platform? How much hatch and bumper clearance does the 34" slide extension need on the 4Runner?
8. What is the rated capacity of the 4", 6" and 10" drawers, and who makes the slides and where?
9. What does the "Include Drawer Locks" option cost, and are the locks keyed (and keyed alike across drawers)?
10. Can the 4" drawer be stacked on a 6" drawer on this platform, and what is the combined height?


Materials and finish
11. What material and thickness are the platform brackets, and how do you isolate the steel from the aluminum to prevent galvanic corrosion?
12. Which finish do you recommend for a mixed-use vehicle in a winter climate with road salt, raw, textured black powder coat, or Mil-Spec, and what is the difference in durability?


Ordering
13. What are the current lead times for the platform and the drawers, and how much does powder coating add?
14. Does the military discount apply to the platform and drawers, and can it stack with any bundle pricing?

Thanks for your interest! I'll do my best to answer everything here.

1. Platform load capacity and weight: We haven't established an official static or dynamic load rating for the platform. The structure is made from steel, with 5052 aluminum panels to help keep weight down. The complete platform weighs approximately 70 lbs.

The steel structure mounts directly to factory mounting locations using M10 fine-thread bolts. These are the same mounting locations Toyota uses for third-row seating and hybrid battery retention. This makes for an extremely stout platform that provides substantially more structural support than the factory cargo floor or comparable wood-based systems.

2. Platform dimensions: The platform is contoured to follow the factory interior trim rather than being a simple rectangle. The largest usable rectangular area is approximately 1078mm (42.4") deep by 1108mm (43.6") wide.

The platform sits just a couple of millimeters above the factory plastic trim at the rear of the cargo area, providing clearance for the drawers to operate. It's designed to fit within a few millimeters of the surrounding plastic, although some variation in fitment is expected between vehicles.

3. Rear seat functionality: The platform itself doesn't interfere with the rear seats folding or reclining. However, depending on the height and configuration of drawers stacked on the platform, taller setups may limit how far the rear seats can recline.

The platform sits at cargo floor level, so there is a height difference between it and the folded rear seatbacks. We actually have another product coming that addresses this! I'll share a couple of teaser photos in this thread soon.

4. Prototype vs. production: Like all of our products, the platform goes through development and refinement before production. We also make minor improvements over time as we encounter new applications or opportunities to improve the design. That's a normal part of our product development process.

5. Access door locks: The removable access doors use keyed cam-style cabinet latches, so they can be opened without tools. The fixed access doors are secured with bolts instead of latches. This is necessary when using our accessory trays with the dual lithium battery mount, since the batteries occupy the space required for the latch mechanisms.

6. Battery and onboard air compatibility: If you're mounting batteries beneath the platform using our dual lithium battery mount, you'll need the fixed access doors for clearance. If you're using a different battery or mounting it elsewhere, the removable doors may work just fine. It really depends on the components you're installing and how they're arranged beneath the platform.

7. Drawer fitment and hatch clearance: Yes, our 36" drawers were designed specifically to work with our 5th and 6th gen 4Runner platforms. There are no clearance issues with the factory hatch or bumper when operating the drawers. Aftermarket bumpers shouldn't present an issue either, provided they don't interfere with the normal operation of the hatch.

8. Drawer capacity and slides: We use 34" Fulterer drawer slides, which are a longer version of the same slides we've used in our Jeep drawer systems for years. The slides are rated for approximately 500 lbs, although we haven't established a separate weight rating for the complete drawer assemblies.

Our drawer trays are constructed from 3mm 5052 aluminum to keep weight down while maintaining strength. We've put these systems through extensive real-world use, loaded with tools, recovery gear, camping equipment, and other supplies on rough terrain, without any issues.

9. Drawer locks: The optional drawer locks are approximately $10 per drawer, and all of the locks are keyed alike. Current pricing is listed on the product page.

10. Drawer stacking: Yes, our drawers are designed to be modular and can be stacked in whichever configuration works best for your needs. Just keep in mind that taller stacks may limit how far the rear seats can recline. The overall dimensions of each drawer are listed on our website, so you can add those together to determine the total height of your preferred configuration.

11. Materials and corrosion: The platform structure and brackets are made from 3mm cold-rolled steel, while the deck panels are 3mm 5052 aluminum. We recommend either our powder-coated or Mil-Spec finish options for corrosion protection. If purchasing the raw finish, we recommend painting or otherwise protecting the steel structure to prevent rust.

We've been using this combination of materials in our platforms for years and haven't experienced issues with galvanic corrosion between the steel structure and aluminum panels.

12. Finish options: I would recommend either of our coated finishes over raw, regardless of climate. Our Mil-Spec finish is a spray-on bedliner material comparable to Line-X. It's our most durable option and what I've personally used on all of my 4Runner platforms. It's especially beneficial if you plan to run the platform without drawers or regularly remove the drawers to haul cargo, pets, etc. We frequently remove our drawers to haul our dogs, and the Mil-Spec finish holds up extremely well to that kind of use.

With the Mil-Spec option, the steel structure is powder coated textured black, while the top surfaces of the aluminum panels and access doors receive the bedliner coating.

Our textured black powder coat is also very durable and is a great option if you plan to leave the drawers installed most of the time. All components are fully powder coated with this option. It's significantly more durable than paint, although it can show scratches and wear over time.

13. Lead times: Lead times vary depending on current demand and the configuration and finish options selected. These systems are built to order since there are quite a few possible configurations. We generally keep the individual components in stock, but don't stock fully assembled systems in every variation.

We manufacture and powder coat in-house, which helps keep turnaround times down. Our Mil-Spec coating is applied by a local shop, so that option can add some time depending on their workload. Your best bet is to give us a call with the configuration you're considering, and we can provide a more accurate lead time.

14. Military discount: Yes, our military discount applies to all AAL-manufactured products, including the MASS platform and drawers. Discounts cannot be combined or stacked with other promotions or bundle pricing.

Hopefully that helps answer your questions! We put a lot of time into developing these systems and appreciate the interest. If there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask!

 

[AmericanAdventureLab]

Here's a little sneak peek at something else we've been working on for the 6th Gen 4Runner!

This actually started because we got tired of pulling our drawers out every time we wanted to haul the dogs. We've also had quite a few requests from forum members for something like this, so we decided to put something together!

We designed an additional panel that mounts on top of two side-by-side 6in drawers, giving you a flat cargo surface without having to remove anything. It still uses our MASS mounting pattern, so you can leave it open for cargo or stack additional modules on top.

Once we got it installed, we realized it also sits really close to the height of the folded rear seats, making it a great option for a sleeping platform as well!

Here are a couple of photos showing it set up for a single-person sleeping arrangement.

I still want to get a little more testing done before we release it, but it should be available soon. Figured I'd share a sneak peek since so many of you have been asking about something like this!

 

[ThatSickRIp]

Here's a little sneak peek at something else we've been working on for the 6th Gen 4Runner!

This actually started because we got tired of pulling our drawers out every time we wanted to haul the dogs. We've also had quite a few requests from forum members for something like this, so we decided to put something together!

We designed an additional panel that mounts on top of two side-by-side 6in drawers, giving you a flat cargo surface without having to remove anything. It still uses our MASS mounting pattern, so you can leave it open for cargo or stack additional modules on top.

Once we got it installed, we realized it also sits really close to the height of the folded rear seats, making it a great option for a sleeping platform as well!

Here are a couple of photos showing it set up for a single-person sleeping arrangement.

I still want to get a little more testing done before we release it, but it should be available soon. Figured I'd share a sneak peek since so many of you have been asking about something like this!

Whats the height from the top of that to the roof? Love the idea, but just need to keep it low enough for the dogs

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