Tacoma reconfig idea. A real crew cab

For those of you with kids, pets, and lots of gear. Or maybe you have tall family members. What if Toyota made a Tacoma with a larger rear seating area with more leg room? A real crew cab. Would using the double cab, long box tacoma work? Make the cab longer and make the bed a short box? And while we are at it, for the love of sitting up straight, lets raise the head room on the cab one inch?

Random thoughts as we consider a full size crew cab due to space constraints and do not want to give up on the Taco.

 

I think it would look a bit disproportionate.

 

And add more weight to what some say is an underpowered dog already.

 

I think it could work.

Add an extra 6 inches to the cabin, and take away 6 from the long bed.

You end up with a bed bigger than the SB and more spacious cabin.

Win/Win

If the Tacoma was like that, and maybe an extra inch or 2 of more width space on the inside, it would be perfect.

Not as big as a full size, but still confier than a midsize

 

Just buy a Gladiator

 

Probably just be easier to add a tiny bed to the 4Runner.

 

Or slap an H on it and call it a Ridgeline....

 

This is just the kind of “creeping improvement” which turned mini-trucks into whales. Why not just get a tundra or a ford? I want some practicality but if I like the handy, easy to maneuver smaller truck. Our ‘98 ranger was awesome in that respect. As a 4wd, smaller is better to me. I love my gen 3 Tacoma but when I see the DC first gen Tacoma’s in really nice condition I start to salivate! Those seem like a sweet spot for me. I guess I don’t fit the standard American value system of “big is good, bigger is better and too big is just right”.

 

You used to be able to get "half toppers" that did just this. You needed to cut a fair amount of the cab, but it worked
https://www.traveltoast.com/2011/02...t-a-bigger-tow-vehicle-for-your-large-family/

Otherwise if you just remove the rear window you can put in a half topper with a platform on the bottom per this video

 

They already have that option. It's called a Tundra.

 

The Tacomas are already getting too large. Just get a full size. I did, and the amount of room in the back from car seats are lifechanging.

 

No.

 

What about adding a third row?

 

I think your changes would get too close to a full size truck (Tundra) and blur the lines between midsized and FS.

 

Wheelbase

 

Bingo. The Gladiator has the exact demensions that OP is looking for.

 

Still wish they made a standard cab with a long bed or short bed

 

There's a song like that...but it finishes, "..but only in the chest..."

 

3rd gen regular cab 4x4 would be really cool.

 

I think perfection for Tacoma would be access cab with short bed. Short enough for good wheeling, easily fits in any garage, utility of the bed, and room in back seat area for stuff, short people, or a regular person sitting kinda sideways-ish. If you want/need long bed or roomy back seat, get a full size.