Future of the Extra Cab?

My 2nd Gen, I hope it lasts. Just a bit over 100K

 

There's an ongoing theme of I should have never sold it, people say the same thing about the Tacoma on Tundras.com

Everyone wanting Toyota to put more doors on the Xtra cab, I think the Corolla GR should be a two door almost certain it's a two seater.

 

Great looking truck (sorry you had to let it go). If not given the XC option on the 4G, I’d have removed the rear seats on the DC and put in the Goose Gear platform as well—— it’s a great upgrade imo, but since I needed the 6’ bed would have ended up with a longer than wanted truck (and spent maybe $15-20k more also).

 

We consider upgrading.
But, only to carry a slide in camper. A Tundra.
Then say no.

 

The longbed is fine in the city, just have to train your muscle memory for the extra foot or so — and get comfortable with very tight passing tolerances with your new ride. The utility of it is worth the minimal extra “work”.

Miss those little suicide doors though.

 

Even after getting a dblcab '24, I still prefer my old '12 access (with a 6' bed & V6) for field work, so I kept it. The 2nd gen has almost 200K, and the only non-maintenance repair has been a new drive shaft carrier bearing. (If you start to hear a squeal that sounds like the serpentine belt slipping, first check for play in the center of the drive shaft. The rubber part breaks down over time in the harsh environment.)

 

Reading all the posts in this thread got me curious about what new Tacoma models are available so I had a look. As predicted, though, I was met with the same sense of confusion and dismay that I encountered when I looked a few years back. All I would want is an XCLB with a manual trans. Why does this not exist? I can get a XCSB with a manual but only in SR/SR5 trim. Opting for a LB deleted the MT, why would this be?

I reckon I'll be keeping my '96 for a while longer. I really do like it better than the '23 DCLB that I sold earlier this year. Navigation system is a bit more challenging, though. I can never get the map folded back right.

 

All Extra Cabs are Long Bed, where are you seeing XCSB?

 

SR5 hasn't had a manual transmission option in any configuration since 2015.

 

You're right. I said that I came away confused. Apparently I was looking at an XCLB and tried to opt for a MT and it led me to a DCSB.

 

Nah, I've seen manual SR and SR5 gen 3s and 4s.

I think he was just saying you can't get a long bed and a manual with the gen 4. Which is dumb, I agree.

 

You have seen SR only 2016 and 2017 for Gen 3 and then again starting in 2024, there have been no SR5 with manual since 2015.

 

Yep, thanks. But why? It's hit or (mostly) miss for certain models/configurations and the logic just doesn't make sense to me.

 

I'm surprised Toyota even offers a manual transmission. The expense to engineer and manufacture a unique engine/tune just for the manual and the transmission itself was all new for the 4g. Not sure how the sales numbers can justify that especially when there's no competition for a manual.

The manual has a very low first gear - great if you need to get a really heavy load moving but overkill for most driving. The auto has more gears and will downshift quicker so you will always be in the engine sweet spot. The auto gets slightly better city mpg but oddly has the same hwy mpg. Not sure how that is possible since the top gear ratio is the same for manual and auto but the final drive of 4.30 for the manual vs 3.58 for the auto means your cruise rpm is going to be way higher in the manual.

 

This spreadsheet doesn't include the Gulf States for some reason but 13,669 automatic Tacomas vs 212 manuals. There's no way Toyota can recover the R&D for that. If you filter for XtraCabs there are only 535, not sure if Toyota will keep making them.

Same locator tool shows only 189 Trail Hunters and 171 Pros, so you could say those models don't sell enough to recover investment. 1. They charge a significant premium for those models and 2. The chassis, engine, and transmission have more in common with the other models. The suspension, bumpers, and Iso Seats are simple bolt-ons in comparison.

 

The funniest part of the SR5 not have a Manual was its original meaning was Sport Rally 5 Speed.

 

Romanticized or not, the manual transmission is as much about upholding heritage as it is market competition. For off road options, you have the Tacoma, Bronco, and Wrangler... It might (will) die out someday, but there are still quite a few manuals offered today in general.

That said, I could definitely see them ditching the extra cab, and the lack of an access cab is one foot in that grave.

 

The people who vote with their wallets are the ones they listen to. They make what sells.

A Double cab with the option of no rear seat and just cargo space back there is an idea. I have a friend with a 1st gen Tundra crew cab that simply removed the rear seats for the cargo capacity.

One of the reasons why trucks are so expensive is because they have so many options trying to please everyone. The simpler you can make it the cheaper they can build and sell it. Multiple cab configurations and trim levels complicate the manufacturing. Even those who buy a base truck are paying more just so someone else can get exactly what they want.​

 

Exactly, the cost to develop and offer a manual transmission is making all Tacomas more expensive. The Truck Finder data above that showed low numbers of XtraCabs doesn't include vehicles that went straight to fleet sales. The fleet sales are probably enough to justify continuing to offer that configuration.

 

Probably sources most parts from an overseas Hilux, doubt there is much development cost tied up into it.