Looking to buy a new truck but have some questions

Hey guys im thinking about buying a new tacoma!!!!! i have a couple of questions that yall will probabley be able to answer. I want the four door but i cant decide between the short bed or the long bed. My concerns with the short bed is that I will not be able to fit 2 dirt bikes in the back because i ride a lot!!! I also am worried about hauling a four wheeler as well. The thing i like about the short bed is that you can get them in a manual . i dont know much about the automatic transmission. Have any of you had any trouble with them or anything???? also if you could post a picture of your short beds with dirt bikes in the back of them that would be great if yall have any i feel like the long bed will probabley suit my life style a little bit better then the short bed though. Thanks in advance for all the advice!!!!

 

If you ride a lot you might want to get a long bed but I ride quite a bit to and I have a short bed and my truck works just fine for me. Its kind of hard to see in the pic but its a pretty tight fit with 2 full sized dirt bikes in the back of a short bed. We just store our gear bags in the back seat and call it good but with the bikes, gas cans, ramps and bike stands it gets pretty tight back there. I have a 2006 TRD Sport in automatic and I love it!! You can shut the tail gate with 1 bike in a long bed but never in a short bed.

 

Yeah i ride quit a bit. I think the long bed will suit me better. I was worried about the automatic part. But from what i have heard and read its a pretty good transmission

 

Yeah if you ride quite a bit then I would recommend the long bed. I just like the look of the short beds better and when I bought my truck in 2006 I didnt ride at all. Our trucks have good transmissions so dont worry about going with an automatic. Do you watch SX or MX at all?

 

sorry it took so long to get back to you i had no idea someone else had commented on it lol i watch both!!! Justin Barcia and ryan dungie are my favorites

 

Go Long bed! I thought I would of hated LB it when I got my Tacoma, But I found I FUCKING LOVE IT! If your hauling bikes or ATV Id get the leaf springs replace to a better set.

 

LB

 

I have a long bed and I love it, its also better for hauling trailers and things for stability. Its just better for everyday life IMO and looks just as sharp.

 

Replace springs just to haul an ATV? Tell me that's not necessary. Just picked up mine last night and the quad will be in the back more often than not. Sure hope spring replacement isn't necessary.

 

I used to put my trx 450r quad in my short bed and it fit perfect w the tail gate down. The front tires stuck out a little further Thant the front bumper so no harm to the back window.

 

i actually went with a long bed. I havent had it to long. I love it. i think i made the best decision. I have hauled my bikes in it and used it doing just about everything. I love it.

 

Congrats! I used my SB to haul bikes (50, 70 & 400) but a long bed would have been nice!

 

You should be fine unless your springs are worn. If needed, an aal would be the easy cheap fix.

 

I wanted the offroad package. Best choice for me was to use a extender. Quad fits perfectly.

 

LB is the way to go if you haul alot. SB isn't bad, just have to drop the tailgate down. Like others have said already, the auto transmission is very good. In fact, the auto transmission is designed for the 4.7L V8 that was a option in the 4runner, so it's plenty beefy

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/67492-why-not-longbed-double-cab.html


i am very glad i got the long bed. i can't even tell you how many times i've put things in the back, and the tailgate closed safely, and i said, "aw man, with the short bed this would not have closed. i feel safer now." a couple of scooters, and a small Harley that fit sideways with the gate closed.

the long bed is, however, significantly harder to park in LA. probably no problems in NC.

it JUST fits in my garage with 2" to spare when closing the door.

 

Can't believe nobody mentioned the tailgate construction.

If you go with a short bed your quad rear wheels will sit on the tailgate. That should be fine but as you unload it be super careful not to drop the skid on the tailgate as you haul it off. That amount of weight hitting the tailgate in the center deforms the metal and will be obvious on the outer sheet metal skin of the tailgate. Perhaps Toyota updated the tailgates but I'm not aware of it. There was actually a TSB put out for this very problem. Some shops sell a reinforcement kit to prevent this.

All that said for your stated use I would get the long bed off road model.

 

I read somewhere here that the tailgates were upgraded, and FWIW I've had my 260lb fat ass standing all over the tailgate while loading 350 lb motorcycles without any issues.