Xtra cab "Back to the Past!"

Ok, I know....

As the fans and online video promoters push the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma with their excessive compliments towards drivetrain improvements (transmission programming and engine torque), ride comfort and body stiffness, in their Toyota sponsored "pre-production" model video rides, none of them spend too much time on my issue. One of them said, "A Tacoma for everyone!". "Uh, dude! Where is my xtra cab 4x4 in an upper trim level?" was my short comment back to that one.

To recap.
I owned a 1997 xtra cab Tacoma and now a 2021 access cab TRD OffRoad Tacoma. There were two reasons I wanted this configuration. A six foot bed fits an easily removed cot for quick camping trips and this particular configuration has a body length that fits in my garage. Sheldon, in another video, claimed that this sizing was important to maintain as Tacoma owners expressed as much in focus groups. Fair enough.

When I purchased the 2021 access cab it was for those side doors and improved access in addition to 20 years of updates to the model. Removing the easy access with a door is a back to the past move. You know, as it has been expressed in this very forum, Toyota also has a fan base that includes over landers, workers, and pet owners. Those people also find utility in a 6 foot bed and easily accessible storage behind the passenger seats. They put a refrigerator in that spot. Or a tool box to be hidden and locked in the cab. Or transport a pet without the bother of covering a seat.

Then, final point! Even if I wanted an xtra cab, Toyota is not offering it on the upper trim models, notably 4×4 Sport and OffRoad models. (and the improved suspension is only available on the upper trim levels! Catch 22!) Some would say buy the 4 door with a six foot bed. That will not fit in my garage!

Finally I have read something outside of Sheldon's videos that lays it out. Safety and cost of keeping the doors. Old news I know. Toyota has spent tons on improving and promoting the upper trim levels, but finds no budget for keeping the side doors on an access cab due to "not growing" sales. Thanks Sheldon!

https://www.theautopian.com/why-toyota-is-building-tacomas-with-fake-rear-doors/

Swollen Goat? Calling Swollen Goat!

 

Totally agree here. Looks like I will be keeping my 20 AC OR 6MT for the long haul. Really dropped the ball by removing those doors with all their access to the space. And then they put the "adapted" cheaper suspension on the it. So it will not ride like the coil spring trucks, or have the clearance underneath! Look how low those leafs hang down...

 

This was a bean counter move. How come Ford and Nissan have the time and budget to design safe Access Cabs? Toyota are being ******* about this cab configuration. Toyota was also saying most Access Cab are ordered with the rear seat delete but that only counts for fleet sales. Toyota doesn’t do custom orders for regular dealership trucks. They aren’t even offering the 6MT in XtraCab. This is Tacoma heritage.

 

lol!

don’t get me started! Lol!

Keep on screaming for Toyota to do a retro styled body, but not like that!

Ohhh, still have a vein pop in my forehead and my left eye starts to twitch every time I see the back to the future(???) XtraCab, but think I found a replacement. . If I am honest the traditional door will be easier to operate than the clamshell.

The 4G is going to be wildly popular, guessing there are going to be some steep discounts on the Tundra, more truck for less.

 

I have thought about the tundra. But the size is the stopper. My dad has a luxo boat F150 crew cab 4x4 that will tow anything, and not notice that's it there. I just don't need that much or big of a truck. Never have.

I just wanted Toyota to really pay attention to what they were doing. Like all of the buttons needed to be all if the same type. Not some from this car, and some from this truck. And they did that. Glad to see the coil rear suspension, but they didn't put that in this truck.

But unfortunately this will be the first model axed...maybe even mid life change...

 

I have test driven the Tundra a few times, really like it. Like the F150 too. Size doesn’t bother me, as my ACLB Tacoma can get a bit tight at times on my camping trips, could use a bit more cargo room.

Since the AC is dead, have to move up to the DCLB Tacoma, waiting on those to come in I can test them back to back. What travel trailer we decide will make the decision easier.

It is a shame they didn’t put the coils on the XtraCab, that and no AC is deal killer. You’re probably right, it will be killed off mid-cycle. Kinda like how the Tundra regular cab silently disappeared.

 

Agree 100%. Lets petition Toyota to bring back the AC! Wait, they could care less.

 

I think the Xtra Cab exists solely so they can have a lower priced entry model, if they had engineered clamshell doors and put coils out back it would have been too expensive.

 

Think of it as a standard cab with extra room.

 

My first vehicle was a 1993 Silverado 1500 extended cab. I could probably deal with the no access cab but it would be nice for sure if I ever went down that road.

 

Nice of Toyota to give you enough room to cut a fart, sometimes there isn't enough room for that in a RC.

 

Which makes more sense than some type of BS excuse that they can’t get it crash compliant or it doesn’t meet some federal regulations.

And even then it’s still very expensive at 35K for a 4x4.

 

This is BS. Toyota has been making Access Cabs for 18 years. They have the time and budget to think of something other than just canceling the AC.

 

I just found out the 2WD XtraCab also gets the lowest payload. Should be the highest.

 

But how many will they sell? Just like the MT...eventually it will cost more to produce that profit and it will go away. Honestly I am shocked jeep still make the 2 door wrangler since it make up less than 10% of the sales.

 

Well taking the time to design "adapted" leaf springs to this frame had to cost something. Should spent it on clam shells doors instead. Especially since it lessens the payload.

Toyota just dropped the ball, never to play again.

 

Glad I bought my access in 23! Might be my last Tacoma after 23 years of loyalty. Way to go Toyota, piss off your life long fans.

 

Toyota is making money guaranteed on all their trucks. I saw an interview yesterday where chief engineer says they are building 6-10% with manuals transmission. This was just for the current manual trucks. If you think about it, any body who wants a manual or extended cab midsize truck has to come either to toyota, Ford, Nissan or Gladiator for an MT truck since GM no longer makes neither the MT or Extended Cab.

 

Toyota has invested how much money into hydrogen??? which is a dead end source of energy for vehicles. They certainly have the resources to get the AC to pass crash tests.

While Ford somehow was able to keep the Super Cab in the F-Series. The new Tacoma isn’t that much smaller.



I almost bought a F150 instead of my Tacoma, for the very reason Ford does the rear storage better, seat flips up and a flat floor. About the same passenger room as a Double Cab Tacoma, looks like you can have your cake and eat it too. About the size of a DCLB Taco, just a bit wider, a 6.5’ bed and 3 available engine choices. Don’t want a turbo, they still have a V8.

 

Sheldon said access cab sales had been flat, and also cited 50% of access cab buyers ordered seats deleted. Translated, you didn’t buy enough, and half of you didn’t want rear seats anyway, says he….

So why waste the money engineering crash protection for suicide doors instead of engineering power tailgates to sell as part of $9000 packages?

The base extra cab has become a teaser truck to splash “starting at $31k” on headlines or sell to Orkin. The Prerunner is an outstanding ripoff.

Gen4 will still be a sales success as a 50k+ lifestyle truck, so much so that Toyota’s clearly not too worried about leaving the access cab fans behind. Bummer.