Long-bed vs Short-bed

I used to drive a manual for a long time, but I had to compromise with the wife who does occasionally drive my truck and she doesn't want to learn how to drive a manual. But the auto is not as bad as some make it out to be. I still enjoy driving my taco. And to stay on topic Long Bed 4E!

 

I love my long bed and I just don’t care to shift anymore ! Except I’m my Nissan patrol right hand drive

 

I got an ACLB so I don't have to leave my tailgate down when transporting my bikes. Also, I do haul or move stuff occasionally. The extra room helps.
The auto is fine with me. Broke my leg once when I had a manual. Couldn't drive for 8 weeks. My friend broke his leg around the same time. He was driving his automatic truck a couple days after leaving the hospital.

 

I destroyed my left knee (Tibia shattered) in a dirt bike accident in 2000 and there was no way I was driving anything for over 8 weeks, as my ankle would swell up if my knee was much lower than my midsection for very long. So, whenever we went anywhere I rode in the back seat of my 1979 F250 Extended cab with my leg propped up behind the driver (my wife). And this truck was a 4spd manual and she handled it awesome! Other than that, I never went very far from the beer fridge and couch.

 

Great point about the backup camera which I can definitely relate to from my experience backing in full loads with the tailgate down.
I've had all cab configurations: SC, AC, DCSB, DCLB and now a 4Runner but need a bed again for work reasons. I think this is the biggest dilemma when buying a Taco and I agree with most of the insight and opinions posted on here. Personally I think the DCSB looks better if planning on keeping it stock/not lifted as the DCLB needs atleast a 3' lift and 33s to offset the limo-ness. DCSB is definitely easier getting around town/parking and down a tight trail but in my experience has fallen short more often than not with hauling stuff and camping. AC is awesome as well, especially if you don't have kids as the suicide doors are a PITA for getting them in/out in parking lots. Like many have said, you can't go completely wrong with whatever you chose but DCLB has reigned supreme for me. Also, shouldn't the LB actually be called "normal" bed since 6' beds are what the original Yotas came with starting in the 80s?

 

I bought a DCORSB 3 weeks ago...used one with 15k miles. Great truck....loved it. Was out of town in it today and the damn 12volt/Ciggy lighter thing quit and I wanted to see if I could get that TSB that helps the tranny and cruise. Pulled over to Toyota dealer. Service guy took it back in the shop. While they were working on it I just walked around the lot and showroom killing time. Salesman pounces on me and I explain I'm just here for service. Asked me how I liked my truck. I told him I loved it outside I wished I had bought a long bed instead. He disappears...5 minutes later he pulls around in a '17 DCORLB with 2600 miles on it. Picture tells the rest, lol...

 

Lol.... eventually we learn from our mistakes.

Took me 12 yrs of compromising with the stubby little box.

 

In your siggy, what is a DCAB?

 

Two things for me. Manual Transmission and ability to park in the garage. If they had a stick shift long bed double cab and I had a longer garage, I would have got the long bed. I spent too much money on this truck to let the sun eat away the clear coat like my last vehicle.

 

It's what we called 1st gen double cabs because there was no long bed / shortbed to distinguish, trucks were designated by cab size, single, access or double (DCAB).

Once the 2nd gen 4 doors came with two bed sizes the acronym changed to DCLB or DCSB.

 

Never really noticed that.

So my first gen would be XCAB?

 

Yep, back then it was "Xtra cab". We didn't have the clamshell doors for "access" so it was "extra" space.

 

The clamshell doors made it so much easier to load and unload stuff, it was a bit of a pain in my old 2000.

 

ACLB here so I'm not sure if I'm part of the discussion but I feel like the DCLB would just start to get into limousine territory when it comes to parking and maneuvering in tight spaces. I rather watch two back to back performances of Les Miserables than try to park a DCLB in a tight underground downtown parking garage I frequent (it would take about the same amount of time).

 

Camera makes it a piece of cake.

Longer wheelbase tracks and rides better on the road. More than makes up for squeezing into little parking spaces.

 

I just couldn't see the short bed as practical for me...the long bed just makes it easier to haul things. The dclb is loooong though so parking can suck but I am used to it by now. Short beds are more proportional but lifted long beds look awesome.

 

That could be the new 'secret' sticker.....

 

Access cab long bed is the move

 

I came from a full size truck and had driven them for years so this is a piece of cake to park and gets around great. I don't have any trouble but I live in a very rural area....THANK GOD...!

 

I have the DCLB but if I could do it again I'd definitely have a DCSB for the shorter wheelbase.