Decisions, decisions...

[toyota_jon]

Hello all. Well, I'm getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger and buying an 01'-04' Tacoma :wings:. The problem I'm having is deciding between an ex-cab or a double-cab. I have always loved the double-cabs. I really like the versitility of having both interrior room and bed space. But I DON'T like auto trannies!!! (yes I mean all three !) Another hit against the DC is the shorter bed means no sleeping in there, which I currently do with my 4Runner and really like. So until I can save up for an RTT thats means ground tenting. Not a huge deal, but the added comfort and security of being off the ground with hard sides is nice.

OTOH With the ex-cab you get the added bed space which at 6' would just be barely long enough for me to sleep (I'm 6'2"). And of course the big bonus of the standard tranny. In all honesty this really is the biggest thing holding me up. Which is why I keep harping on it. So I guess another question I should ask is has anyone converted their DC to a standard? Because one thought I had would be to drive the auto until it needed service and then instead just swap over to a standard.

Some other notes to give a more complete picture what what I want and what my needs are. My build of this truck will be pretty typical of what is seen on the board ~2" lift with 255's. Armor to go around, shell over the bed, storage, OBA, and OBW bla bla bla . A good platform for my weekend warrior to week long explorations in CO and UT. All while maintaining good highway maners. Will probably be used to pull an off-road trailer at some point in the future, so the 3.4 is definately the motor of choice.

What I DON'T want: I know the '05+ DC comes in a standard variety I don't care. I don't like the feel of that truck AT ALL. Also while I have considered a cruiser, a truck is more pratical for me.

So given what my criteria is does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[maclean216]

I say DC.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28706

 

[Desert Dan]

Does anyone make a little extension tent for the short bed with a camper shell to cover the tailgate so you could sleep in the back?

 

[dyogim]

Does anyone make a little extension tent for the short bed with a camper shell to cover the tailgate so you could sleep in the back?

Yup. http://www.sportzbynapier.com/suv_minivans.html

toyota_jon - I say DC if you need the additional space for passengers or future passengers.

Otherwise, if it's just you +1, I say AC. The extra bed space will be nice for hauling stuff and for sleeping. If you incorporate the above mentioned tent to the end, it should be a pretty comfortable set-up

 

[Cackalak Han]

I agree with dyogim. I love my DC, but I've got a family. If I were in your shoes, EC would be a better truck, due to the bigger bed space and 5-sp being available from the factory.

But possible solutions for the DC--RTT or trailer. Transmission wise, I'm not a HUGE fan of the auto, but after I got my 4Runner/Tacoma, I didn't have a single issue with the auto transmission. Now I prefer it in my truck for the extra free hand to eat, drink and be merry, or not worry about shifting at the end of a looooong day. If you keep up on regular maintenance, I don't think you'll need to worry about servicing it for a long time. Probably even less frequently than 5-speeds, as I noticed manuals needed servicing more frequently than auto's (clutches, mainly).

 

[Martinjmpr]

Does anyone make a little extension tent for the short bed with a camper shell to cover the tailgate so you could sleep in the back?

Yes. This is what I used on my Extra cab but there's no reason it wouldn't work on a DC and it should give you enough room to sleep with the gate open:

Available for about $110 from Campmor.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I really like the ability to sleep inside the bed my extended cab.

 

[Cobra_R]

I say double cab. I have an extended cab and don't get my wrong, I love it; but if I could do it again I'd get a double cab.

 

[CYi5]

I vote extended cab. Extra bed length is a huge plus, look better imo, and have you sat in the back of a DC? The seats are near vertical and really don't come close to comfortable for long trips. That being said, don't bother putting people in the back of an extended cab .

 

[toyota_jon]

thanks for the responses everyone.

I vote extended cab. Extra bed length is a huge plus, look better imo, and have you sat in the back of a DC? The seats are near vertical and really don't come close to comfortable for long trips. That being said, don't bother putting people in the back of an extended cab .

The back of the DC would probably be converted to a flat platform to stow gear that i want to keep more secure. and for the dog. But I would incorporate a "quick out" for the platform if the situation arises to put people back there. I can count on one hand the number of times i've had people in the back of my 4R. So people carrying isn't a huge concern. but keeping stuff away from prying eyes is.

I say double cab. I have an extended cab and don't get my wrong, I love it; but if I could do it again I'd get a double cab.

Any specific reasons?

But possible solutions for the DC--RTT or trailer. Transmission wise, I'm not a HUGE fan of the auto, but after I got my 4Runner/Tacoma, I didn't have a single issue with the auto transmission. Now I prefer it in my truck for the extra free hand to eat, drink and be merry, or not worry about shifting at the end of a looooong day. If you keep up on regular maintenance, I don't think you'll need to worry about servicing it for a long time. Probably even less frequently than 5-speeds, as I noticed manuals needed servicing more frequently than auto's (clutches, mainly).

Both the trailer and RTT is on the list, but fairly low right now. gotta get the truck first :sombrero:. You're not the first person i have heard say that they really perfered manuals but once they got an auto it really became a non-issue. the other very nice thing for me with the auto is my girl can drive it. And last year when i borrowed a buddies XJ with the auto it was really nice to be able to turn the wheel over to her when i was bushed from driving all day. In addition i guess i also shouldn't apply my previous auto experience to the tacoma, seams like toyota has done a good job on it. I havn't seen anyone out there really complaining thats it not up to par. Every previous auto i've had i've broke.

 

[deadbeat son]

When buying my 09 Tacoma DC, I was specifically looking for a MT, the auto just didn't do anything for me. Unfortunately, there weren't any Tacos available in my region with the Off Road pkg and a MT, except one dealer demo with 1500 miles. They weren't willing to negotiate any lower with the demo than they would have without the miles, so I reluctantly bought one with an auto.

Fast forward two months and 4200 miles. I love the auto! It's so convenient on my 75 mile/day round trip commute to work. On the trails, it takes all of the work out of the rocks.

Bottom line: I never thought I'd come around to an auto. My last 4 cars had been MTs and that's what I preferred, especially in the mountains. Now I love the ease and comfort of the auto. I'm spoiled.

 

[toyota_jon]

Ok so I "think" I've made up my mind. While going through a "pro" and "con" list in my head, I came back to the question, "What do I spend more time doing carrying people or hauling gear?" And the answer came back the usual, gear by far. But I took this question to myself further and started thinking about everytime I've pulled the top off and/or roll bar out of my 4Runner (gotta love first gens!) and used it as a pickup. And then it hit me, between moving down from AK to CO, the possibility of moving again in the near future, and the general truck duties. (you know those times you actually use your truck as a truck) After really considering this it really bacame pretty obvious that the extra bed space would be invaluable.

Another pro I looked at is being able to get a wildernest topper for it. The more I look at the concept of the wildernest the more I like it. Ideally I'd like a flippac. I like the idea of the tent opening up over the cab instead of off to the side. But a flippac just isn't in the budget for now.

So I think where I'm at right now is looking for a WHITE, TRD, EX cab. Are there any major differences between the '01-'04 models? Anything I should be aware of when looking?

 

[Martinjmpr]

So I think where I'm at right now is looking for a WHITE, TRD, EX cab. Are there any major differences between the '01-'04 models? Anything I should be aware of when looking?

Gee it's too bad you didn't post this about a month ago when I had this for sale:

Except mine wasn't a TRD and didn't have the diff lock.

Remember that Wildernest went out of business some time in the mid 90's so any Wildernest you find now is 10+ years old. I do see a few of them for sale now and then but some of them are in rough shape.

Flip Pac is still in business but I think they start around $3500.

 

[toyota_jon]

how much did you get for that if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Martinjmpr]

how much did you get for that if you don't mind me asking?

I asked $13k and sold it for $12,500 to the 2nd person who came to look at it. Most of the dealers in our area were asking for $14k - $16k for the 01/04 models, plus most of them had higher miles and didn't include the shell.