Advantages to extended or xtra cab?

[Taco_Maverick]

So I am hoping sometime in the spring of 2011 to be buying a used Tacoma. Since I live in the midwest I wont be doing as much expedition driving as a lot of you do. But I will be using it quite a bit for backpacking trips and roadtrips to various places around the U.S.

I know most people on here are huge fans of the 4dr or DC but I just cant get past the look of them.

So my question is: How usefull is the xtra cab version of the Tacome versus a standard cab? Is the ease of access all that great to warrant the larger cab? If it had suicide doors then maybe; but I won't really need the room (it would be nice to have of course but not necessary). I will mostly be rolling solo, with my dog or a buddy and occasionally with my wife. We do not have kids and probably wont any time soon.

So what do you guys think?

 

[ol' scott]

I was in this situation over the winter. I had recently sold my standard cab Tacoma and was looking for something with at least an extended cab. Like you I didn't like the four door options (looks and I needed a larger bed). I ended up with my '02 Access Cab Tundra (Tacoma's are just expensive). Having the backseat is completely worth it in terms of in cab storage and the options you are given. Once you have the extra space you'll not know how you did without it.

Even if you only roll solo or +1 most of the time what about the times you might want to go with your wife AND your dog. Or your friend AND your dog? It's just nice to know that you can do that if you want (it became a pain for our dog to sit on the console in my single cab).

 

[Martinjmpr]

I haven't owned a single cab truck since 1992 and there's a reason for that. Single cab trucks are fine if you are sure that you will only be traveling by yourself. Even with one other person they are really cramped for anything but short trips.

Having said that, I'm contemplating a single cab truck for a DD, but I will normally be in that one by myself. I like to have access to things when I drive (maps, snacks, music, etc) and having two people plus no additional space behind the seats makes that difficult if not impossible.

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

I love regular cab tacomas, they are awesome little trucks and look great. I originally bought a reg cab taco and loved every minute of it until its death only 1 month later. After the death of that truck I ended up with an extended cab and I have never regreted having the extra space. I'm like you in that I usually travel with only 1 person or the dog. However, I occasionaly take a person or two more, or the dog and someone. While it is cramped to ride in the back for 4 hours, it is doable.

Another thing to consider is that while you may travel pretty solo now, one day you might have a kid or want to bring a few others along which would be impossible in the reg cab. I have an 07 and think the room is just enough. I dont think the 1st gen extended cab is really enough room to justify over the reg cab. The only thing you could really fit back there is some extra gear or the dog, no one would want to ride back there.

 

[ywen]

With the double cab, you are making some real sacrifices or some real decisions whether it be passenger room or storage room.

When comparing the xtracab to regular cab, you're just gaining a some wheel base and significantly more usable interior room. I think it's a no brainer.

However, you do gain the 2 piece drive shaft, which I would look at as the only main con of going larger than reg cab.

 

[Martinjmpr]

The other negative to the extra cab is that it increases your turning radius because of the longer wheelbase. One of the nice things about going from an X-cab Taco to a 4runner was that I can now turn around in most city streets without backing up - I couldn't do that in my extra cab Taco.

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

The extra turning radius has never really been an issue for me, the only time I have ever minded it was when having to parallel park. The longer wheelbase also rides better/smoother. I dont really see the two peice driveshaft being a detriment for the longer wheelbase trucks either. I think the only decision there is to make is whether or not your ever going to want to carry others along, think long term.

 

[irish_11]

I have an extra cab and for me it was a no brainer too. I test drove single cabs and being that I am 6'2" the extra inch of seat travel makes a difference. Also being in the Northwest the extra locking waterproof storage is great. I dont usualy carry people back there, but it can hold alot of gear in that section. It has a bit longer wheelbase sure, but it's worth is in the long run to me to have that extra space.

 

[Rattler]

I currently own an '04 DoubleCab Tacoma and have owned a '89 XtraCab in the past. I was single when I had the XtraCab and it worked fantastic for me. Now married and occasionally hauling others, the 2x cab serves its purpose. As far as offroading goes though, the XtraCab was much more manueverable.

The single-cabs are even better with the shortbox. Add a hard tonneau and stuff in the back will stay dry too. I am 6'5" though so a single-cab isn't in my future for a dd. Maybe as a trail-only rig someday although I really want a '79-'83 shortbox to fix up so bad! I love that bodystyle.

 

[deadbeat son]

I'm not sure if you're looking at the current generation of Tacomas or the previous. With the current generation, you cannot get a V6 in the regular cab, only the 4cyl. That's a considerable difference between the two.

 

[Taco_Maverick]

I am looking at the 96-2000ish model years just an FYI. I am thinking xtra cab as well but for my price range it is easier to find a regular cab. If I can do a regular with a topper that might work out. What do you think?

I'll keep looking, I definitely want a 4cyl 4x4 that is a requirement (no to minimal towing and better mileage)

 

[DaveInDenver]

I dont think the 1st gen extended cab is really enough room to justify over the reg cab. The only thing you could really fit back there is some extra gear or the dog, no one would want to ride back there.

There was no XtraCab from 1979-1983. The XtraCab from 1984-1988 was the cab bump you mention and while it wasn't there for extra seating it was a /major/ improvement in that you could recline your seat. The traditional XtraCab with jump seats came in 1989 with the 3rd gen pickup and this is the same as the 1st generation Tacoma in dimensions. I think the current gen Tacoma regular cab is OK, it's seems to have a bit more elbow room than older regular cabs. I also agree that I don't miss the old regular cab now that I have a XtraCab. I took out the jump seats and that leaves you quite a bit of room. I dunno that the turning radius increase is enough to make it not worth the other benefits. Personally if I had to ever replace my truck it would be with another one exactly like it.