LX 700h Overtrail Third Row Delete

[hilljf]

I picked up my Overtrail two days ago and love the car.

- I do wish it had a larger gas tank. There is space under the car for the auxiliary tank sold on 300 series internationally, and perhaps some clever after market company will see the opportunity to create an auxiliary tank for the LX 600 and 700H family. I can pray. It is also royally annoying to have it read Zero range and empty with just over two gallons still in the tank. So the max range before zero is about 300 miles. When going off road the mileage will be substantially less. So two to three 3 three gallon Rotopac gas cans will be required at a minimum.

- I got one with the third row seating and deleted it today. It is not an easy job. A couple of pictures are posted below and I can put together a more detailed process list with pictures if there is interest. The seat frame over the battery will still elevate the floor by about 2 inches. I may have a new cover frame made to get those two inches back. The two row version when they ship will be the preferred choice for those planning to Overland. You will save $2,000 and have a cleaner floor. However, the two row wastes a lot of space in front of the battery to fill the void up to the second row. The new floor I plan to construct will leave very good storage space in that area. I plan to put an ARB brushless onboard compressor on the left side, because it will be easy to connect to the 12 volt battery just in the left back corner and I will have room for tools and recovery gear in the other side below the new floor, both of which will be accessible by rolling forward the rear seats.

 

[hilljf]

BTW it is worth noting that the third row seats are not covered in leather but are covered in fake leather product like perhaps the one used on the GX550. Its hard to tell until you see the edges of the material.

 

[hilljf]

 

[El Chorizo]

That color is growing on me! Congratulations!!! Looks amazing, and some great photos. Interesting to hear about the third row seating being different material as well...

Thank you for posting and updating us!

 

[RCFTE]

I picked up my Overtrail two days ago and love the car.

- I do wish it had a larger gas tank. There is space under the car for the auxiliary tank sold on 300 series internationally, and perhaps some clever after market company will see the opportunity to create an auxiliary tank for the LX 600 and 700H family. I can pray. It is also royally annoying to have it read Zero range and empty with just over two gallons still in the tank. So the max range before zero is about 300 miles. When going off road the mileage will be substantially less. So two to three 3 three gallon Rotopac gas cans will be required at a minimum.

- I got one with the third row seating and deleted it today. It is not an easy job. A couple of pictures are posted below and I can put together a more detailed process list with pictures if there is interest. The seat frame over the battery will still elevate the floor by about 2 inches. I may have a new cover frame made to get those two inches back. The two row version when they ship will be the preferred choice for those planning to Overland. You will save $2,000 and have a cleaner floor. However, the two row wastes a lot of space in front of the battery to fill the void up to the second row. The new floor I plan to construct will leave very good storage space in that area. I plan to put an ARB brushless onboard compressor on the left side, because it will be easy to connect to the 12 volt battery just in the left back corner and I will have room for tools and recovery gear in the other side below the new floor, both of which will be accessible by rolling forward the rear seats.

Congratulations !

I’m picking mine up today. Same color with black interior. If you don’t mind I have a couple questions for you :

1) what are you going to install on top of the battery ? New cargo Flooring ?

2) How do you like the ride so far ? Road feel and handling ?

3) Had you driven a LX 600 prior to the 700 ?

4) what are you getting MPG so far ? I know you said you could get 300 miles when the vehicle hit zero fuel, which if I’m right equals 20 MPG ?

5) I am not outfitting mine for overlanding like you, but I do like some cargo room and coming from a LX 600, the 2 things that bothered me where 1) fuel tank size and 2) cargo room in the third row.

Thank You for the write up and pictures on removing the third row, as I never use the third row.

 

[hilljf]

Let me do my best to reply to your questions.

1) I am planning on installing a drawer system (perhaps one from Air Down Gear UP). That system will essentially be a new floor and cover the battery. I will also explore replacing the frame over the battery, which for the third row is designed to improve seat comfort but still adds 2 inches of excess height.

2) I like the ride and the handling. The nose is bigger than my 100 series, but the cameras are way better and so that is a wash. The power is incredible. I am looking forward to seeing how it does off road, which I will do in a few days, and will be able to report on that after.

3) I have not driven an LX600

4) I am getting 19mgp average so far. When I filled close to zero, the car took about 16 gallons. 16x19=304. This is not enough.

My interior is black, which I like a lot and for me looks better than the alternative "stone" interior.

Have fun with yours!

 

[Eric Sorensen]

I picked up my Overtrail two days ago and love the car.

- I do wish it had a larger gas tank. There is space under the car for the auxiliary tank sold on 300 series internationally, and perhaps some clever after market company will see the opportunity to create an auxiliary tank for the LX 600 and 700H family. I can pray. It is also royally annoying to have it read Zero range and empty with just over two gallons still in the tank. So the max range before zero is about 300 miles. When going off road the mileage will be substantially less. So two to three 3 three gallon Rotopac gas cans will be required at a minimum.

- I got one with the third row seating and deleted it today. It is not an easy job. A couple of pictures are posted below and I can put together a more detailed process list with pictures if there is interest. The seat frame over the battery will still elevate the floor by about 2 inches. I may have a new cover frame made to get those two inches back. The two row version when they ship will be the preferred choice for those planning to Overland. You will save $2,000 and have a cleaner floor. However, the two row wastes a lot of space in front of the battery to fill the void up to the second row. The new floor I plan to construct will leave very good storage space in that area. I plan to put an ARB brushless onboard compressor on the left side, because it will be easy to connect to the 12 volt battery just in the left back corner and I will have room for tools and recovery gear in the other side below the new floor, both of which will be accessible by rolling forward the rear seats.

Nice job with the 3rd row. I plan to take mine out, too. I wonder if the 5-seat version's cover will fit and if I can order those parts from Lexus. I could see myself making a plywood cover with carpet in my woodshop if I can't buy the parts to convert.

 

[hilljf]

I have not reached out to Lexas regarding the alternative floor. If you do, please let me know. Also, I would be happy to talk you through the steps for removal when you are ready.

 

[Eric Sorensen]

I have not reached out to Lexas regarding the alternative floor. If you do, please let me know. Also, I would be happy to talk you through the steps for removal when you are ready.

I appreciate it - but I'll probably wait for a plan to cover the floor before I remove the seats. From what I've seen, those back seats take up way too much room and limit the height for your stuff in the back.

 

[pdx19751]

I picked up my Overtrail two days ago and love the car.

- I do wish it had a larger gas tank. There is space under the car for the auxiliary tank sold on 300 series internationally, and perhaps some clever after market company will see the opportunity to create an auxiliary tank for the LX 600 and 700H family. I can pray. It is also royally annoying to have it read Zero range and empty with just over two gallons still in the tank. So the max range before zero is about 300 miles. When going off road the mileage will be substantially less. So two to three 3 three gallon Rotopac gas cans will be required at a minimum.

- I got one with the third row seating and deleted it today. It is not an easy job. A couple of pictures are posted below and I can put together a more detailed process list with pictures if there is interest. The seat frame over the battery will still elevate the floor by about 2 inches. I may have a new cover frame made to get those two inches back. The two row version when they ship will be the preferred choice for those planning to Overland. You will save $2,000 and have a cleaner floor. However, the two row wastes a lot of space in front of the battery to fill the void up to the second row. The new floor I plan to construct will leave very good storage space in that area. I plan to put an ARB brushless onboard compressor on the left side, because it will be easy to connect to the 12 volt battery just in the left back corner and I will have room for tools and recovery gear in the other side below the new floor, both of which will be accessible by rolling forward the rear seats.

Thanks for the info. I removed the third row from my 200, and it was relatively easy. It is a little frustrating that Lexus isn’t really offering the third row delete for the Overtrails coming to the US this year. Guess I will have to make room in my attic for another set of seats I will never use, and suck up the extra $2k if I want to get an OT this year.