2001-04 Tacoma Double Cab with 2 car seats?

[CA-RJ]

We are thinking about getting rid of our 4Runner and one of the possible replacements would be an 01-04 Tacoma Double Cab. We currently have a 16 month old and have another one due in June. Both should be in rear facing car seats and in our experience rear facing car seats take up a ton of room. I have longish legs and need the seat back a bit. Do any of you have experience with 2 rear facing car seats in one of these trucks? Is it very cramped?

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

The 4runner wouldn't be something I would get rid of with 2 little ones. My boys are now 21months and 3 yrs. unless your wanting to get a tall camper shell the SUV is better for the little ones. Changing diapers is easier when you've got somewhere to do it that is protected from the elements. If you backpack them the backpacks are easier to store in the SUV. If you don't backpack them yet I'd recommend the Deuter kid comfort 2 both of Boys still like to ride in theirs.
If you decide that you want something different take the kids and put the car seats into whatever you test drive and see how it works out. We don't have it anymore but our 04 F250SD was the perfect size for being able to sit in back with both little ones on long trips. Plus the hum of the powerstroke lulled them to sleep. I'd still have it but it was too big for alot the trails I wanted to go on. Traded it for my 04 Disco 2 and haven't regretted it at all. That being said on long trips when they were younger the Disco wouldn't have worked as well as the F250. It was a crew cab and I put one of the tall Leer shells on it. Good luck

 

[CA-RJ]

The 4runner wouldn't be something I would get rid of with 2 little ones. My boys are now 21months and 3 yrs. unless your wanting to get a tall camper shell the SUV is better for the little ones.

The 4Runner is getting a little long in the tooth mileage wise and it is time for us to think about a replacement. If we got a truck, it would most certainly have a shell on it.

Changing diapers is easier when you've got somewhere to do it that is protected from the elements.

When we are on trips, the rear of the 4Runner is usually too packed to change diapers there. We usually use the front seat.

If you backpack them the backpacks are easier to store in the SUV. If you don't backpack them yet I'd recommend the Deuter kid comfort 2 both of Boys still like to ride in theirs.

We have an Ergo and love it and our little boy loves riding in it. I suspect we will have two pretty soon.

If you decide that you want something different take the kids and put the car seats into whatever you test drive and see how it works out.

Agreed. If I can find a local double cab to test drive, I will take both car seats and see how they fit. I was looking for someone who has used this truck long term with 2 car seats to see if they regretted buying one or if they thought it was great.

We don't have it anymore but our 04 F250SD was the perfect size for being able to sit in back with both little ones on long trips. Plus the hum of the powerstroke lulled them to sleep. I'd still have it but it was too big for alot the trails I wanted to go on. Traded it for my 04 Disco 2 and haven't regretted it at all. That being said on long trips when they were younger the Disco wouldn't have worked as well as the F250. It was a crew cab and I put one of the tall Leer shells on it.

A full size will not fit in our garage so that is out. Plus, I do not want something that large.

Good luck

Thanks! Shopping for a vehicle is much more difficult now that I have a wife and kids. What's important has certainly changed.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Yeah I know how the little guys change stuff for us. I've still got my huge a** Toyota Hilux for sale because it's only a two seater. I see your sharing the same profession as me by the way.

 

[Willman]

Two car seats are manageable....Rear facing would be hard with your height....The car seats will for sure not fit (my kids seat didn't work...but i'm sure there is a brand that will)....Best is to get them facing forward when the time comes....I lucked out with having a short wife....The baby would go on her side facing forward and my older girl had a big girl seat facing forward.

Best way to tell is to take one on a test drive.....

 

[78Bronco]

Good luck if both front riders are around 6ft. My 16 month old is facing forward as the law permits up here. Mini trucks are MINI.