2018 MT Configurations

Hello folks! Long time lurker, first time poster!

I'm finally buckling down to get my Taco after a period in the wilderness. Looking for MT/Off-Road/AC but it's not available to build on the website. I'm surprised that the MT are only available on the AC/Sport (hood scoop kills me) or Double-cabs with short-beds.

I'm looking to put a camper on it, building a simple platform for sleeping and storage for me and my gal backroads driving/camping. Nothing too hardcore/technical off-road but definitely looking to have fun.

Does anyone have suggestions on getting this configuration or know if the 2018s could have more MT options?

 

dont go by what the toyota website shows, it only shows configurations available to your regional port. just tell what config you want to your dealer thru the "dealer daily" website for allocation requests.

 

in 2016 I tried like hell to get a manual trans trd offroad access cab. I contacted dealers all over the country. Each one assured me they could get the vehicle i wanted, that is until they looked into it. Your right toyota doesn't offer that combo anymore and there is no way to get it. I even asked my local dealer if they could get me a base model truck and swap in the trd e-locker axle with required ecu and harness. They really dragged their feet on that one. I ended up buying a bearly used 2015 that had everything i wanted. All this double cab stuff is ridiculous. Who buys a truck for offroading with that much extra weight and sheet metal to bang up. In my opinion if you need 4 doors you don't need a pickup, get a 4runner or something...

 

It must be nice to not have friends.

 

I have one. Available in Canada.

 

Dont really understand why having friends has anything to do with it. You cant get that combo through any dealer in the united states. I inquired with the regional manager about it via email. Now i did discover they offered it in canada shortly after getting my 2015. I was slightly annoyed that all the people i spoke to failed to mention that. Sorry if i still sound a little bitter about it. Ive had my manual 03 tacoma trd offroad access cab since new and i love it. Had a 94 access cab manual before that.

In the end though i like the 4.0 over 3.5 so im satisfied

 

I love having a 4 door pick-up!!! I have a pint sized dictator (4yo) and a wifey and we use the 4-doors all the time. We can put dog and kiddo in back, with a bit of luggage. Of course I have a very easily remove and re-attach tonneu(spl) cover so normally the luggage usually goes in the bed. I do have the SB bed and do believe the LB is more practical, but I love having a pickup to haul trash, gas, building supplies, brush, fence posts, etc... shit hauled more stuff than this, but you get the point.

 

His friends can drive their own damn cars.

 

I was in this exact same issue a year a go when I got my truck. I ended up getting the AC sport MT because, its a great configuration.
The hood is obviously something you can change and personally I got so used to it I think it looks naked without it.
Most guys will tell you can mod what you want and depending on what wheeling you do, the diff was not a deal killer for me. That is also one of the fun things about this truck - making it your own!
I really don't have one complaint about it and actually prefer the every day road feel of the sport suspension to the rolling feeling I got in my offroad on my second gen.

 

I had the same dilema, wanted a AC 6MT 4x4, but ended up getting a 6MT 4x4 DCSB. I'm happy but, I would prefer the LB to sleep in. A DCLB shouldn't be on the trails. Way to long of a wheelbase.

Wife won this battle...

 

The double cab market is so strong because most people don't buy a brand new stock $30k+ truck to dedicate purely to offroading. It carries the family places, the pets in the back, coworkers to lunch, etc. Everyone has a different opinion, but to me, buying a brand new truck and putting even more money into it to keep it purely offroad? For the general population, that is ridiculous. If you are that serious about offroading, it doesn't matter what rig you have, it's going to get beat. If you want a dedicated trail rig, you can get a hell of a lot more for $30k+ that will be just as, if not more, reliable in many ways.

 

Thank you so much to everyone for their suggestions and thoughts- love this community! I'm going to keep prodding the dealer for intel on the 2018s but will likely end up with a 2017 AC MT Sport (hopefully a good time to buy as the '18s will be rolling in shortly) and will upgrade as necessary- first order would be for upgrade at least rear suspension for canopy...

 

The big increase in Double Cabs also has something to do with the EPA, larger interior volume allows the manufacturers to have lower MPGs, also why not many offer many single cabs.

 

Thats what 4runners, landcruisers, highlanders and rav4's are for. Thats 4 soccer mom cars from one manufacture. I see no reason to water down the tacoma into another soccer mom vehicle. I know im not the majority but i want my truck to actually be a truck.

That being said. I drive my $30k vehicles for 8-10 years then build them. Did this with my 94 and 03

 

I agree 100% but the market is going a different direction. 2dr coupes and 3 door hatches used to be popular too but now the are a tiny fraction of cars sold.

I remember when I was in South America in the 90s and saw my first Nissan and Toyota double cab trucks. I thought that would never happen in the States. 20 years later, single cab is a rarity and extra cab is heading that direction. I'm amazed how quickly that changed.

 

Awesome, highly recommend that model. I have the same in white and it's fun to drive and looks super badass.

 

You're going to make someone very happy if you end up swapping your skewped hood.

The Hood Trading thread is like 99% unscooped looking for a scooped, and the few people who do want a nonscooped hood get bombarded by offers.

 

thanks for the heads up (exactly why i finally starting posting!)- everything I've read indicates they aren't functional aside from aesthetics. Good news for me then, maybe I'll require they throw in some beers with the swap!

 

I love driving my DCSB. It's short and nimble and turns on a dime. It's useless as a truck. Honestly, anyone that says their short bed is useful as a truck must be coming from a Mazda Miata or think all a truck should do is carry a few bag of garbage or something. I miss my old AC.

But, alas, I wanted a manual and with the kid, the AC was out of the question. The second Toyota offers a DCLB in manual, in trading in. (And yes, I know it will never happen). In 17 years when the kid is gone, I'll get a manual AC.

 

Do you not have another car or what?