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carpenters?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by carpdad, Feb 18, 2012.

  1. Feb 18, 2012 at 6:13 AM
    #1
    carpdad

    carpdad [OP] Member

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    Hello. I now have 1996 ford f150, 8 feet bed, but regular cab. The kids (2) are growing up and taking them anywhere is becoming a problem.
    I like the look of tacoma double cab, because it looks like it can carry passengers behind, and save gas.
    For carpenters or anybody, how is the 5 foot bed for carrying occasional few sheets of plywood or wood? I am going to have to buy or make an extender, but in general, how is it for work?
    4 door regular truck may be an option, but I don't want this route because of parking and gas. Anything I can't carry in about 2 trips, I have the material delivered.
    Thank you and appreciate your experience.
     
  2. Feb 18, 2012 at 6:16 AM
    #2
    JSFoster75

    JSFoster75 Well-Known Member

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    Just get a bed extender that goes in your trailer hitch and you'll be fine, otherwise it's tough to carry longer lumber... But as long as you tie it down good, it will work okay...

    I plan to haul a 16' 3" canoe in the bed of my DC. :)
     
  3. Feb 18, 2012 at 6:21 AM
    #3
    JSFoster75

    JSFoster75 Well-Known Member

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  4. Feb 18, 2012 at 7:03 AM
    #4
    twfsa

    twfsa Well-Known Member

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    4X8 sheets of plywood won't fit between the wheel houseings on a 04 Tacoma maybe the 05 and up's it will., I was surprized that the plastic bed linner does not have notches in it to keep 4ft wide sheets above the wheel hsg's.

    You may save a mile or two as far as mpg goes.
     
  5. Feb 18, 2012 at 7:18 AM
    #5
    Alexb03

    Alexb03 Well-Known Member

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    I got a back-rack on mine and carry 10ft sticks of pipe all the time (im an electrician)
     
  6. Feb 18, 2012 at 7:25 AM
    #6
    carpdad

    carpdad [OP] Member

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    Thank you for the replies. I was thinking in line of full bed extender, in case I need to haul some trash as well. Some jobs don't pay for dumpster. If tacoma is modifiable (I don't even know the rear suspension system for this pickup), I was thinking adding leafs and gas shocks.
    As for mpg, it has to be better than about 12 mpg city I get now. I know I can do better, but it is a toss up between putting more money into this, or get a smaller truck. One thing I can't change is that I need 4 door truck,lol.
     
  7. Feb 18, 2012 at 7:52 AM
    #7
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    I know I need to get some new pics. To the original poster I have this extender which goes out a little further than most aftermarket extenders. I use this at the lake and I can put a kayak in the back of the bed. Also there are several configurations this extender can do. I can also drop the back and leave the sides on, completely remove it, or leave the back and sides off, lots of different hauling options. I use this to also haul firewood as well as lumber, my quad and my motorcycles. Probably the best and most functional purchase I've made on this truck.



    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Feb 18, 2012 at 8:08 AM
    #8
    El Tano

    El Tano i am the one who knocks

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    Not good for 4x8 pieces. I bought an 06' tundra to go get the materials. Not much u can fit in the long bed. If you need to carry 4x8 sheets on a regular basis Get a biger truck, extended cab, 8 feet bed. Believe me, the 6ft is too small, and the minute that you put a tool box, you are done. If you get a bar behind the cab you may be able to carry 8 feet pieces but the gate will have to support the weight.
     
  9. Feb 18, 2012 at 8:15 AM
    #9
    TacoMX

    TacoMX TW's Official anti body-lift pundit

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    I have a good buddy that is a carpenter by trade and uses a ford ranger access cab for all his jobs. He manages fine...anything can be strapped down in the bed. I have another buddy that has a 1st gen double cab taco, and does HVAC/Mechanical work and has no troubles hauling all his stuff for work.

    But a full size truck will always be a better option for hauling big shit like plywood and lumber.

    As far as rear suspension, there are a lot of options for getting the rear ready for hauling stuff. (New leaf packs, AAL's, adding leafs from bigger trucks)
     
  10. Feb 18, 2012 at 8:24 AM
    #10
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    I've refinished my home both inside and in the garage.

    Have never had a problem with hauling sheets of plywood or drywall or studs, etc...

    That is with me being too lazy to remove the topper as well.
     
  11. Feb 18, 2012 at 8:28 AM
    #11
    Swanson52

    Swanson52 Well-Known Member

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    Put the sticks on bottom, sheets of whatever on top. Problem solved.
     
  12. Feb 18, 2012 at 12:58 PM
    #12
    carpdad

    carpdad [OP] Member

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    Thanks all for replies. I'd hate to give up my f150, but growing kids and gas price add to no choice. 4 door, 4x4 is at least 1000 lbs. lighter than my reg.cab long bed f150, 4.9L. I was just beginning to learn about my f150 too.
     
  13. Feb 18, 2012 at 1:47 PM
    #13
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    You won't regret it. I dumped my F-150 4x4 with the 5.4 Triton V8 and have ZERO regrets. The $85 gas fill-ups were killing my wallet.
     
  14. Feb 18, 2012 at 5:14 PM
    #14
    TacoMX

    TacoMX TW's Official anti body-lift pundit

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    I think the OP would be pretty happy upgrading from an f150 to a yota :cool:
     
  15. Feb 18, 2012 at 5:21 PM
    #15
    186000mps

    186000mps ..Slingin' up mud and we're scarying off bunnies..

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    I have an '01 xtra cab with a toolbox on back. I carry 4x8 sheets all the time for work. I typically lay down 3-4 8 foot 2x4s from below my toolbox to the top of the tailgate, then I lay my sheets on that, sometimes more 2x4s on top. One ratchet strap on the rear tie-down hoops secure it all just fine.
     
  16. Feb 19, 2012 at 6:39 AM
    #16
    humtaco

    humtaco Well-Known Member

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    I was at the lumber yard just yesterday and saw a 1st gen double cab with a rack that appeared to be made by RackIt. A google image search led to this thread that shows the rack on a 2nd gen.

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/202793-roof-rack-cab-shell.html

    I don't know about those bed extenders. If you carry heavy loads the weight might be a problem when loaded too far behind the axle.
     
  17. Feb 19, 2012 at 10:44 AM
    #17
    shampoop

    shampoop Well-Known Member

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    Might wanna think about getting a second car. Your f150 is better for carpentry, and a car like a corolla or camry is better for carrying people and much more fuel efficient.
     
  18. Feb 19, 2012 at 11:03 AM
    #18
    JSFoster75

    JSFoster75 Well-Known Member

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  19. Feb 19, 2012 at 3:18 PM
    #19
    RattleTractor

    RattleTractor Lube: It's the key to penetration.

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  20. Feb 19, 2012 at 3:21 PM
    #20
    georgeandkanoa

    georgeandkanoa the point is simply this

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    jeff
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    you can't really carry any boards longer than about 12 feet in any pickup unless you put them above the roof on a rack. i carried all my 16 footers
    on top of my explorer
     

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