Regular Cab Regrets?

I'm looking to buy a 1st-Gen Tacoma, and in my heart I really want a regular cab 4-cylinder (as I'd like to get as good mpg as possible, and I'm going to be using it as my daily driver, I don't think I need the extra cab room, and I love the look of them). However, wife thinks A) it might be cramped, inability to push/recline seat etc, and B) I would appreciate having the extra room inside to put stuff in there when needed.

Do people have experience with both? Or does anyone have a regular cab who can weigh in and give real-life assessment/experience on such?? Will I regret having that extra room, or would I be just fine with regular.

Also, I assume the regular cab would help with mpg too, so I could maximize there -- am I off base?

THANK YOU!!!

Bill, Nashville

PS: I'm looking for automatic, as it will be my daily and I just don't want to drive stick all the time (for whatever that is worth).

 

I wish I had a regular cab too. But when the dog is with us, it is clear that
making my "awesome small truck" a little big bigger than I wish it was is
well worth it. There's times when having a place to put stuff is real handy.

-Mike

 

I had a 1994 Regular Cab 22RE/5sp and I longed for an extended cab. At the time I was traveling a lot and camping out of my truck and the cab always got cluttered. Plus I had a dog. When I was in the market for a newer truck I looked for the extended cab and am so glad I found my 2004 V6/5sp extended cab. Plus I wanted a 6' bed which is better for me for car camping as opposed to the shorter bed on the 1st gen double cabs. I know they make the 1st gen extended cab with the 4cyl/AT but I heard they are sluggish...I don't have experience with them so maybe someone else can chime in on that.

For me the extra space of the 1st gen extended cab worked for me better than my older reg cab Toyota.

 

I've had nothing but regular cab pickups and it's never been a problem. There isn't much room to store stuff but worst case scenario, you could get a bed cover and put stuff in the bed. I've never been married so the limited space hasn't been an issue with the other half. You won't see a difference in mpg in an access cab vs reg cab and the 4 cyl is pretty weak so you may want to consider the v6 which usually leads to the access cab. The regular cab will ride a little stiffer due to the shorter wheelbase but that has never bothered me in 29 years of owning reg cab pickups. I still prefer the regular cab but wish it had more power since I have 2 boats to tow around. If you're set on a 1st gen, make sure you check the frame closely, they had serious rust issues and I don't think replacement frames are available for them.

 

i miss being able to open/close the rear sliding window in the single cab while in the midst of driving
too much of a stretch and dangerous to attempt in the xtraCab for anyone not 6' tall or xtra long arms

 

I have had them all from 80 RC to my 01 DC. For a dd it's probably fine and you shouldn't have any issues. If it's your only vehicle, I'd get an extra cab. The extra space is worth it.

 

My neighbor has a garage kept ‘98 4cyl regular cab with about 60K miles. Yeah I know how that sounds and I tried to get her to sell it to me for 2 years before I bought my 04 extra cab. She told me she wishes it was the extra cab. I enjoy the extra space in my EC. Not that I use if for anything in particular but I don’t feel like I’m going to smack the back of my head on the rear window. Other side of it is the 1st gen short bed regular cab is the best looking truck that’s ever been made.

 

I have owned all 3 models reg cab was the most uncomfortable. No room to recline seat as long as your on flat roads 4cyl auto was ok towing small boat.hills and mountains it would be a dog then go with 6yl good luck to you

 

I love the regular cab 1st gens but I'm glad I got an extra cab instead...in fact I wish I had gotten a double cab lol. But they didn't make 1st gen double cabs with manual transmissions so it wasn't an option for me.

If you do any kind of offroading, camping, road trips etc. then you will want the cab space that the extra cab provides, I pack mine up full on most trips while the camping equipment goes in the bed.

If it's just going to be a daily commuter sort of thing then regular cab will likely be okay.

Also if you plan on having kids or more than one passenger regularly...skip both the regular and extra cab and get the double cab. The back seat of the extra cab is no place for a human being, trust me.

 

This^ ive rode in the back of the ext cab and its not comfy especially being 6'
But if you plan on having any gear of any kind at least get the ext cab, its nice to be able to keep stuff dry and within arms reach.

 

not to mention out of thieves eyes in the work/hotel/school parking lot

 

My 1st truck waz 98 2rz an extra cab auto and I enjoyed the rear space. I could recline my seat all the way back, could put my stuff in backseat that might fly out of the bed, or keep from being stolen, or rained on. Its nice for another passenger or 2 instead of 3 bodies shoulder to shoulder. The automatic was ok but I wished it was stick.

I now have a single cab stick shift. Though I like the manual I wish I had the extra space of the extra cab. I put a bed box to store my stuff but dont like the look of it and takes up bed space. I will be doing a cage eventually and concern that the B pillar will push my seat forward and restrict my leg room.

 

The regular cab is definitely limited in space. But you also tend to keep it clean and not clutter up with stuff.

The regular cab is more of a sport truck in that it’s smaller and gets in and out of places easily.

I have a Tahoe also and it’s a big vehicle.

When I’m tired of bouncing around in the regular cab I trade off to the Tahoe.

When I’m tired of driving the boat (Tahoe) and want to zip around I drive the Tacoma.

Too bad they don’t make a new reg Cab Tacoma with a v6

 

i had a damn bumblebee fly into my single cab somehow one time driving home for the weekend from KC
pulled over on I-29 and emptied everything (bags of clothes, portable stereo,etc.) out (no A/C so all windows open in the blazing hot summer)
made sure that big fat flying stingy thing was out of my cab before proceeding on with my journey north ...

can anybody beat that


i have an insane phobia towards these and other insects capable of flying faster than i can run

 

Love my regular cab 4 cyl. Has the bench seat, so no, you will not feel like you are in a lazy boy. But I've taken many long trips and never felt uncomfortable.

Don't expect great gas mileage, I average around 18.

 

I got stung by a bee that flew into my truck through the open window when I was driving a couple weeks ago. Felt something hit the headrest and figured it was a rock or something, 3 seconds later



Hurt a bit but mostly just surprised the hell outta me

 

I have had my 97 regular cab since October 96 no regrets and I am 6'2. I also have a 2014 4 door. My 97 is way more fun to drive but with the family something larger is a must. Also having a bed cover or a shell helps

 

Exactly, I can fit all my hunting gear to go sit a stand including my bow case in the backseat

 

I recently (Feb) bought a 95 standard cab 2.4. I’m use to a 1990 Miata & 2009 xB (both set up for mountain twisties).
I was shocked at how well the Taco drove. It’s a pickup with pick up, plus handles/corners well. The better tires allow me to really fling it around now. I’m LOVING it!
Mine’s a manual, which I was told feels “sporty,” while the automatic feels “sluggish.” So, if that matters to you, be prepared.

My bench feels comfortable to me. My seats usually are pretty upright (except the Miata, which is quite reclined-to lower my head in relation to the roll bar I added over 15 years ago), so that may make a difference. The only “issue” is my inner right thigh gets sore in a long drive, but a rolled up small towel solves that, allowing me to relax the muscle.

As for space:
I’m coming from a Miata, so having the small space behind the bench works well for me.
Plus, I can carry 2 passengers (tight, but 2 near 6’ athletes fit OK- my son & his friend), like I did today.

I also have a hard tonneau, so I can store stuff in the bed & lock it up. My primary intent is to carry sports equipment (outside the cab, due to smell) & 501st Legion kit totes (holding my Star Wars costumes) & props like a Gonk droid.
The tonneau came on the truck. I doubt I would pay $500-1,000 for it, but I’m very glad I have it.

So, my experience may be a tad abnormal.

 

For power ....
Last week, I played with numbers & realized that most Gen 1 Tacos have a similar power to weight ratio, with larger engines tending to be in heavier vehicles. That was with models I could find the HP & weights on. So, there may be specific models sold that are better.
Most are on the 19-20 pounds per horsepower ballpark. Only the supercharged V6 version get significantly better, just under 16 pounds per horsepower.

The early 2.4 regular cab has 142 HP & weighs only 2700 lbs, without accessories, which add weight fast.
Some of the more well equipped V6 double cab 4x4s are around 4,000 lb, with 190HP.
That is 1300 pounds & less than 50hp difference.

My 2.4 only has: a/c, tilt steering, radio & rear bumper (extra option in 1995) -no power steering, windows, locks, etc & a manual-, so it’s on the lighter end of the 2wd range. Thus, the little 2.4 feels “peppy” with the light truck & the manual.