Access Cab advice

Hey there,

New on this forum and am just debating between purchasing a DC or access cab (2008 AC, 2010 DC). Both are long beds. I've seen dozens of threads about this topic but wanted to get advice based on my thoughts as well. The pros (subjective for me) to getting the AC are: nicer looking on the exterior, like how the back seats fold down and feels "cozier", and the AC is standard which I love. The DC is a great magnetic grey colour, unfortunately automatic, and has extra room in the back.

On a daily basis I'd be driving solo. On weekends I am often camping with others and would be hauling 1-3 other people on a 1.5 hour drive. Once a month we typically do a surf trip which takes 4.5 hours to get to. We are all younger (20s) and flexible enough to be stuffed into the back seat and lots of friends are under 6'.

Part of me is leaning very hard towards the AC based of the aesthetic of it, love the suicide doors, and really like how the back row folds down flat. Driving standard is also a huge bonus.

What are your guys thoughts?

 

Are both 4 cylinder ?

 

You have given a good summary of each body style. One point you didn't mention is the wheelbase on the DSLB is going to be longer than the AC, making city driving and parking more difficult. It may not seem like much difference, but it will come into play. The AC will feel sportier to drive.
As for back seat space/comfort, there is a world of difference. I wouldn't put a friends in the back seat. I suggest bringing a couple of your buds on a test drive in the AC with the front seats in comfortable positions for the driver and shotgun positions. I believe the back seat guys will be more cramped and uncomfortable than you think.

 

I personally went with the access cab. Driving a manual was important enough for me to go that route. I just prefer it off and on road. I also built a bed platform for my dog (60lbs) behind the drivers seat so I can only fit one passenger. Getting a long bed was also a requirement for me, and I also wanted to be able to fit my 7ft long board in the truck bed (at an angle with a snug top).
I will say though those back seats are pretty much useless and uncomfortable so if having passengers is most important for you then it’s something to consider. Either way can’t go wrong I take it, just gotta weigh your pros and cons, good luck

 

Rear seats in the AC are unusable except for toddlers. Even the DC rear seats aren't that spacious (less room than a Corolla). I tried the AC jump seats once for shits & giggles, then promptly unbolted them to free up cargo space.

 

Access cab for the win

 

As an AC owner I will say the back seats aren't necessarily "useless" but I would not want to be an adult sitting back there on an hour and a half long drive, that's for sure. A quick trip here/there... no problem but that's gonna get cramped real quick on a longer drive.

Otherwise, I do love my AC. Don't knock the auto though... it's a truck. I don't see a need for a manual transmission if 'having fun' is your goal. Personal opinion, obviously.

Oh and one note about the back seats... if you are only hauling one front passenger and one rear passenger, the rear passenger could probably get away with sitting sideways. Like butt in passenger rear seat but feet on the drivers side. Might help with a little bit of comfort. Illegal and possibly dangers, yes... but doable.

 

I don't know where you're located, but consider meeting in the middle with a super deal on a 2009. Check my sig . . .

 

did a 3500 mile trip in an access cab with 4 adults. if you are carrying alot of people that often, get the double cab or tell them to buy their own ride

 

If you like being the person who has to drive everybody around and go off of their schedule even tho you are the one driving,get a double cab
If you like to party get an access cab

 

The back seats in the AC arent even seats. I couldn't imagine 2 adults sitting back there for more than 15 minutes

I have a DCLB and live in the city. Every now and then a parking situation will be a pain but the other 95% of the time I don't even notice

 

I have a 2010 AC. I would have to agree with a the above. Back seats fine for 2 small adults for short drive, I just love the look of the access cabs, personal taste

 

As you know the access cab is still four doors. Opens up completely like a minivan. But, you lose 13" in the rear foot seating. Plus, you can get a 6' bed with the same wheelbase and overall length.

 

I drove a DCSB for work for a year and recently bought an ACLB, both 2015 4.0 SR5's.

I've driven three friends up for skiing, the 1 hour trip to the mountain and they were both fine (5' 3" and 5' 6" roughly). The way back when we were all a bit tired and hit some traffic took 1.5 hours and they weren't too happy. I really like having no column between the doors - you can fit really weird shaped stuff in the cab if you don't want it in the bed. I also like being able to just toss dirty stuff back there and not worry about getting seats dirty. I have a topper on my truck now and use it for camping with a platform and pull out box/drawer and really like that - the extra foot is clutch.

The DCSB was fine but I almost never had passengers since it was a work truck. I don't really notice the shorter wheelbase on the ACLB. The SB was annoying when I had to carry wooden boxes that were 5' 1" long and either set them diagonally over the tailgate or leave the tailgate down and strap them down. Also would be very tight trying to sleep back there diagonally.

 

I've had my friends in the back of my access cab a few times and it was like a damn clown car, literally zero room to have full grown people back there. My one buddy had the passenger seat up so far his knees were in the dash and my friend behind him his knees were up to his chin. If your goal is to transport people I wouldn't even consider the access cab.

 

If you EVER plan on having more than one other adult in the cab with you, get a double cab. The back seats in the access cab will not cut it. My wife is a small 5'2". She rode in backseat one time for a few hours and fucking haaaaaaaaaaated it. We're also in our 20s. Do not subject them to that.

 

As @REB55 mentioned, the wheel base on the double cab is (of course) longer. If you happen to be parking in a garage, you may want to check if the DC will fit. My oldest son bought a Colorado DC/longbed and had to touch the front bumper to the back garage wall in order to close the garage door. With my AC, I can fit my KLR650 behind the truck when parked in the garage.

 

I got the Access Cab because I wanted the room and knew it would be rare to have passengers in the back and then mostly short trips. If I took friends like you do I would get the Double Cab. I also have a cap that I use for camping and needed the 6' bed. If you don't need the 6' bed consider the DCSB. Another consideration is the DCLB won't have the OR package if you need that.

 

I have an Access Cab.
I wish I had the Double Cab.
Access Cab is good for storage. And if you are like me. It fills up quick.
Not at all comfortable for Adults. Small children it is barely adequate.

Nothing wrong with Automatic Trans. I actually see more complaints with the Manual Trans than the Auto. Be it most were about the throw out bearing chirping. Any how, if you do go Manual. Look into the 2WD Lo mod. It will help a lot if you are towing and backing.

 

Access cab here and while it's been OK because I'm almost always alone, it does fill up fast if you're one of those people who carries much gear with you (on trips I put my refrigerator back there and it eats up a decent amount of space). The way the access cab door opens up to allow you to grab stuff usually works out well except when you're in a parking space and trying to unload a cart. In hindsight, if I were to do it again I'd probably get the double cab long bed. I've been driving since the eighties and never owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission but again, if I were buying today I'd get the automatic. Toyota makes a very good auto and I'm just not impressed with the six speed in these trucks, especially for towing. The auto also gets better gas mileage which adds up over time, especially if you like taking longer trips.