Goose Gear + 2025 TRD Pro Hybrid: Game-Changer Setup with CORRECT INSTALLATION TIPS

[Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning]

Alright, figured I’d throw this up since I know I won’t be the only one that does this mod for the new 4GT Hybrids. For anyone not familiar, Goose Gear makes high-end storage and platform systems — bed plates, seat deletes, drawers, etc. Basically, it’s how you turn your Tacoma from a “nice truck” with minimal backseat room into a legit setup that actually works for real use, unless you’re like 5’3 & below.

The build quality is top-notch. Everything’s laser-cut, tight tolerances, and bolts into factory points. The seat delete system is awesome if you’re trying to open up the rear cabin for gear or a dog platform (what I’ll be using it for.)

On the 2025 TRD Pro, it’s a perfect match. The truck already gives you the suspension and capability, but Goose Gear takes care of the “living with it” side of minimal storage due to the hybrid battery, to fully usable organization, and daily use. It’s one of those mods that doesn’t jump out visually, but once you use it, you realize how much better life gets when everything has a place and doesn’t rattle around. It makes the Pro feel like it’s ready for serious trail miles or road trips, not just photo ops.

READ HERE BEFORE YOU START INSTALLATION

Now, as good as the gear is, I’ll be honest — the instructions need some help. They’re fine for getting you 80% of the way there, but a few steps are vague or assume you’ve done one before. If it’s your first Goose Gear install, don’t just follow the booklet word for word. Do this instead — it’ll make your life way easier:

• They got essentially every step right and I’d follow what they say up until you start removing the trim pieces.
• If you’re only installing the 60% delete, you don’t have to remove the single seat on the passenger side, but it would probably make installing the final bolt a little easier if you don’t have nimble hands.
• You don’t have to remove the plastic trim that wraps around the entire bottom of the passenger seats if you’re only doing the 60% delete. You can just remove it all the way up until the middle 3 holes are exposed. I’ll assume the same will go for the 40% as well, I just haven’t bought it yet.
• DON’T DRILL IN THE 3 HOLES THEY HAVE CIRCLED IN THEIR INSTRUCTIONS
• You only need to drill in the front 2 holes they have circled in red for the 60% delete. If you drill in that third hole that isn’t in-line with the other two, you will be pointlessly making the hole bigger for no reason. Ask me how I know.
• With where the T bar slides are on the plate, it doesn’t allow you to put a spacer there. They only provide two spacers anyways, so why would they have 3 circles highlighted?
• The 23/64 drill bit size they recommend is incorrect. Use a 27/64 drill bit and it will fit the riv-nuts perfectly. Again, ask me how I know what size is too big when installing.

Honestly, Goose Gear nailed the engineering, but their instructions didn’t really evolve with the Hybrid models yet, their instructions showed a gas model for the installation which is where some of the variances may come from. Be sure to Just be intentional about where you drill and how hard you push; the wiring system is right underneath.

One thing I’m not too fond of is that the battery is just exposed under the little cubby. With wet dogs or snow gear etc, I can already see water leaking down and creating an issue. I’m on the hunt now for a solution to protect that area.

By no means am I bashing them or their product, I think it’s great & I’m pumped to have gotten it for a deal from another member here. I hope this helps someone out there!

See it installed on my build thread here.

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[gasgasman]

You can use a shower pan liner to cover the battery.
https://www.flooranddecor.com/showe...MI18a0iZDgkAMVBDNECB3qxDXGEAQYASABEgIIyfD_BwE

 

[BigDan]

Thanks for sharing that. Have any final installed photos?

 

[Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning]

Thanks for sharing that. Have any final installed photos?

Very last line under the pic!

See it installed on my build thread here.

 

[Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning]

You can use a shower pan liner to cover the battery.
https://www.flooranddecor.com/showe...MI18a0iZDgkAMVBDNECB3qxDXGEAQYASABEgIIyfD_BwE

That's a unique idea. I was thinking of just rigging up a cover plate for the section under the storage to essentially make a second "hidden" plate.

 

[TrailAdventurer]

My wife and I have been long-time fans of Goose Gear. We were among their early customers, installing a full-rear kit that included seat deletes and a rear platform with side cubbies in our Wrangler.

After years of use—across more than 50 camping and overland trips—plus years of day-to-day use, the setup has held up impressively. It’s withstood the wear and tear of two 110 lb dogs and countless loads of gear. The only maintenance I’ve ever had to do is snug up the fasteners every couple of years.

With our 2025 Trailhunter, and still traveling with a 110 lb dog, our primary reason for installing Goose Gear again was to create a stable platform for her. Second, we wanted secure cargo tie-down options. And third, we hoped to gain a little bit of storage underneath—already aware of the the hybrid’s battery limitations going in.

I ran into the same issues that Quez mentioned. Their prototype was based on the 2024 Trailhunter, and it seems Toyota made some changes for 2025. A quick note: the battery cage/seat base is made from pretty hard steel—be sure to use a titanium drill bit. Bits that work with softer metals won’t even scratch it.

Day-to-Day Experience
The installed platform sits about 2 inches higher than the factory seat. That may not sound like much, but it’s enough that our adult Greater Swiss Mountain Dog—who had no problem getting into the truck with the seat installed—now needs a boost. I should probably measure the height difference compared to our 3.5” lifted Wrangler on 35s, but the key issue here is geometry.

The platform acts like a vertical wall, so there's no forward momentum to help her up—just a pure vertical jump. For our Trailhunter, with its stock ~2.5” lift and an inch larger tire, this is more noticeable. Lower Tacomas may not face the same challenge. Goose Gear shows the platform side-view here.

We had hoped, based on some rumors, that Goose Gear would offer a drop-in tray to add some under-platform storage above the batteries. Unfortunately, that hasn’t materialized, so there’s currently zero usable space under the platform.

That said, I really like the small cleats Goose Gear sells. I’ve installed a few and they work great with bungee nets to secure loose items.

The Tradeoff
As a dedicated dog platform, it works. But because our dog takes up the whole space, we can’t stow any other gear there during trips. And with zero under-platform storage—not even room for a pair of gloves—the overall utility feels like a step down from what we had in the Wrangler. We've started talking about pulling the platform and reinstalling the seats—probably a project for the holiday break.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a knock on Goose Gear. If you’ve got a non-hybrid Tacoma, you’ll have great storage under the platform. But if you’ve got a hybrid and a large dog? Eh, maybe not so much.

 

[Pappy]

This isn’t a knock on Goose Gear. If you’ve got a non-hybrid Tacoma, you’ll have great storage under the platform.

100%. The rear seat delete in my non-hybrid rocks. I have a solid platform for my fridge, and gobs of storage underneath. Plus, plenty of pre-drilled holes to install eye-bolts for lashing. Some of the existing holes already had t-nuts, and for those that don't, the t-nuts were an easy install.

 

[Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning]

My wife and I have been long-time fans of Goose Gear. We were among their early customers, installing a full-rear kit that included seat deletes and a rear platform with side cubbies in our Wrangler.

After years of use—across more than 50 camping and overland trips—plus years of day-to-day use, the setup has held up impressively. It’s withstood the wear and tear of two 110 lb dogs and countless loads of gear. The only maintenance I’ve ever had to do is snug up the fasteners every couple of years.

With our 2025 Trailhunter, and still traveling with a 110 lb dog, our primary reason for installing Goose Gear again was to create a stable platform for her. Second, we wanted secure cargo tie-down options. And third, we hoped to gain a little bit of storage underneath—already aware of the the hybrid’s battery limitations going in.

I ran into the same issues that Quez mentioned. Their prototype was based on the 2024 Trailhunter, and it seems Toyota made some changes for 2025. A quick note: the battery cage/seat base is made from pretty hard steel—be sure to use a titanium drill bit. Bits that work with softer metals won’t even scratch it.

Day-to-Day Experience
The installed platform sits about 2 inches higher than the factory seat. That may not sound like much, but it’s enough that our adult Greater Swiss Mountain Dog—who had no problem getting into the truck with the seat installed—now needs a boost. I should probably measure the height difference compared to our 3.5” lifted Wrangler on 35s, but the key issue here is geometry.

The platform acts like a vertical wall, so there's no forward momentum to help her up—just a pure vertical jump. For our Trailhunter, with its stock ~2.5” lift and an inch larger tire, this is more noticeable. Lower Tacomas may not face the same challenge. Goose Gear shows the platform side-view here.

We had hoped, based on some rumors, that Goose Gear would offer a drop-in tray to add some under-platform storage above the batteries. Unfortunately, that hasn’t materialized, so there’s currently zero usable space under the platform.

That said, I really like the small cleats Goose Gear sells. I’ve installed a few and they work great with bungee nets to secure loose items.

The Tradeoff
As a dedicated dog platform, it works. But because our dog takes up the whole space, we can’t stow any other gear there during trips. And with zero under-platform storage—not even room for a pair of gloves—the overall utility feels like a step down from what we had in the Wrangler. We've started talking about pulling the platform and reinstalling the seats—probably a project for the holiday break.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a knock on Goose Gear. If you’ve got a non-hybrid Tacoma, you’ll have great storage under the platform. But if you’ve got a hybrid and a large dog? Eh, maybe not so much.

These are all great points! I really do like the platform, there’s just areas I would have expected more out of. I’m surprised there isn’t anything out there for storage specifically dle the hybrid systems yet.

 

[trailhunger]

That's a unique idea. I was thinking of just rigging up a cover plate for the section under the storage to essentially make a second "hidden" plate.

You’re gonna want more air flow around that NiMH, esp for bringing the system up to operating temp in the winter / keeping it room temp summer, whatever gear & additional hardware you pack in that cavity will be expressed through fuel economy / battery longevity.

I did the 2nd GG hybrid full delete install in Sept ‘24. Typically run a three seater rn…

 

[Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning]

You’re gonna want more air flow around that NiMH, esp for bringing the system up to operating temp in the winter / keeping it room temp summer, whatever gear & additional hardware you pack in that cavity will be expressed through fuel economy / battery longevity.

I did the 2nd GG hybrid full delete install in Sept ‘24. Typically run a three seater rn…

Great insight. I just find it hard to believe that there’s more airflow with seats covering the system than there is with a “lid.” I could be wrong though.


And truly idc about fuel economy, I mean I did buy a Tacoma

 

[trailhunger]

Great insight. I just find it hard to believe that there’s more airflow with seats covering the system than there is with a “lid.” I could be wrong though.


And truly idc about fuel economy, I mean I did buy a Tacoma

It’s the clearance headroom that GG is maintaining in the design. If you don’t care about MPGs you’ll care about those horses. The MAX motor won’t input when it’s an ice block & vice versa.

 

[Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning]

It’s the clearance headroom that GG is maintaining in the design. If you don’t care about MPGs you’ll care about those horses. The MAX motor won’t input when it’s an ice block & vice versa.

This is good info - is that something GG has came out and verified on their design?

 

[trailhunger]

This is good info - is that something GG has came out and verified on their design?

I can’t speak for them but keeping combustibles (marine grade WISA & toluene coatings at a set distance OE spec sounds prudent. There’s DIY builds where I think they’ve gone lower, not sure how that affects the flatness up against that frame holding the seats in…

I took my TH in for its 10k lifted out the battery cover hatch on the GG platform, removed the vent filters, dealership said nothing.

Keeping it open, less stuff down in there much easier during maintenance visits. I have GFC on the back so I suppose that space in the cab isn’t so much of a premium for me.

You might be able to rig some aluminum heat sink panel and get away with a ledge in there. The NiMH already has its own heat sink net net I am curious what kind of temps that thing throws off at full charge/discharge..

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