Single cab guys, lets talk storage.

When I first bought my truck I did not really consider many things other than: Toyota, 4 cylinder, manual, and 4x4.

now that I have had it for almost two years I am becoming frustrated with single cab life. I have a canopy and keep the majority of my "What do you keep in your truck" items in the bed, but Still find myself feeling cramped with no space/storage.

I am looking for tips, tricks, and pics of single cab (and extracabs I suppose) Interiors. So lets see it!

Tomorrow I will get out and snap a few of what I've done.

 

I just have a toolbox and it isn't even full lol, the best would be the topper or a bed cover

 

I understand your struggle. This is the sole reason I'll never buy a standard cab again. I much much prefer the stout, aggressive look of a good single cab, short bed, 4x4 truck, but it's too much sacrifice for me. It's really nice just to be able to toss things over my shoulder into the rear cab to get it out of the way.

As far as some tips..uh..don't ever bring anything with you. Or just put it all on the pass. seat and never give anyone a ride. Or rig up a little box or bin in your bed and secure it in place with a bungie cord or something

 

I have a toolbox as well, it works pretty good. But im planning on getting bucket seats up front, and possibly putting spacers to put extra space between the bottom of the seats and the seat mounts.

 

I went from having a bench to bucket seats and yes buckets give a bit more room for stuff

 

I went from a 3/4-Ton 4x4 Suburban to a Reg Cab Tacoma... had to really thin down my gear for everyday use. I have some essentials behind the seat... Jack, Lug Wrench, Recovery Strap, Portable Compressor, 1st Aid Kit, Rags, Gloves, Water, Oil, Belts, etc. In the drivers door pocket I have basic tools including metric wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and inthe passenger side is some clamps, tape, zip ties, misc nuts & bolts, etc. Extra bulbs, fuses, tire plugs, etc in the glove box.

When I go wheeling, I have a big tool bag full of a little bit of everything that I toss in the bed or the passenger floor, but I leave it in the garage when I'm daily driving.

When I go on road trips or camping I have a Contico storage box loaded with more fluids, more recovery gear, towing lights, a roll up work mat, hammers, extra oil/fuel/air filters, towels, etc etc etc. I throw that in the bed along with a 5-gallon fuel jug, a couple 2-liters of drinking water, and a bottle of coolant. I also throw another spare tire in the bed just in case.

I have a camper shell as well, but I'm still working on it, so I haven't used it yet. I hope to have it mounted to the truck within the next couple of weeks when I finish the fiberglass work and get a coat of bedliner on it. It's got mounts for a roof rack, and I have a small rack that I'll put on top for more gear/lights, etc.

I'm also finishing my rear bumper build, which has a tire carrier and jerry can holder on it. I plan to remove the bed soon to box the frame rails, and relocate the shocks. During that time I'm going to use the space where the spare was and build a recessed toolbox with a hinged bed floor opening. This will be used to store some of the items that aren't used or needed as often, but take up valuable space elsewhere, which allows me to free up more space in those few other spots I've got.

I was going to build a raised bed platform with a drawer, but I realized I don't need that, so I'm keeping it simple. I don't need a fridge either since I don't do long term camping, so a cooler tossed in the bed works just fine.

 

The only thing I can say is use a backpage/bag for everything. I have all my spare fluids in a drawstring bag, and in a backpack I carry an orange vest, small air compressor, jumper cables, extra hat, old sun glasses, and some other stuff. I also have an old small toolbox that I keep extra hardware, manuals (for stereo, CB, etc.), and stuff like that. I also have the jack and all other things to change a tire on the go behind the seat.

In my glovebox I have a bunch of little tools (hammer, various screwdrivers, pliers, etc.), tape, a waterproof case for electronics, pair of headphones, a bunch of little stuff like that. Under my seat I have a plastic banner from my mom's work that I keep incase I ever have to change a flat tire somewhere muddy or something, so I can throw it on the ground and have a dry place to work. I also have an old HUGE chain I found in the woods, it's not very long but it's strong as hell and if I ever get stuck someone can pull me out with it..or vise versa

In my drivers door I have a pair of winter gloves that I use in the winter at the gas station, an extra winter hat, and a pair of workgloves. Other then that, what else do you need to carry? I'm a highschool student so I don't worry about groceries or anything, but I guess that could be a concern.

Trust me, I'd love an extended cab, but the utility of a longbed/regular cab just is way more useful to me Hope this at least helped someone..lol

 

It's about prioritizing. First, I got a shell. Essential, I'm a part-time musician and the gear can't be exposed to the elements. I have two boxes mounted in the back (

$200 UnderCover SC401D | Fits 2005 - 2023 Toyota Tacoma Drivers Side - (19-23) With Factory Storage Box

UnderCover SC401D SwingCase Storage Box) both driver and passenger side. Too expensive, but better than the $20 Sterilite boxes I just would throw in the back on my last truck. Great for my tools, survival essentials, and it looks VERY clean. Most everything I'd put in a cab with room goes back there. Essentials that need to be right at hand - water, fire extinguisher (that goes under the seat) VHF handheld, iPhone charge cable - there's enough room in the cab for those and it's not messy. Spare set of clothes and shoes go behind the bench. Got a bit more room back there on the passenger side and I may toss another fire extinguisher back there. I'm a neat freak anyway which helps. It would be nice having room for a subwoofer but I'm past that age where such a thing is necessary.

The Tacoma is a big truck. At least compared to my old 1996 Nissan. The single cab has loads of space. I don't like the extended cab look and the double cab I just could not justify. We don't have kids, the dog died, and it wouldn't fit in the driveway anyhow!

 

You've all made good points and I think we are mostly on the same page.

I think my 95.5 is a little smaller than 98-04 and I know its smaller than the 2nd gens. I am 6 foot 200lbs and my driver bucket is all the way on the floor and all the way back and I am still cramped. I would hate to be any bigger!!

The way I have things set up are in the cab I have a pair of warm gloves and a pair of leather work gloves in the drive door, two large water bottles held between the back of my seat and the rear cab wall. I made a decent center console so I can rest my arm and have some storage inside it. I've got a hat, poncho, batteries, mag light, maps, some candy, and a small fire extinguisher in that. passenger door I think of got napkins, condoms, zip ties, and some pens. Glove box is where the legal stuff is (insurance, registration, blah blah)

In the bed I've got a full size spare 33/12.5/15.. so that takes up a lot of space. Ive got a hi-lift, 60 piece tool box, tire iron, spare lug nuts,bolts, nuts (in the tool box) and a snatch strap and tow rope and a few ratchet straps.

My problem comes in keeping the cab not a mess in day to day life..
Anyone got any pics of their interior?

 

I have a 99 prerunner extra cab. I also struggled with storage space. What I did was I went to supermarket and got some milk crates. I could fit about 3 milk crates in the xtra cab to use for storage. I cant afford a bed tool box so I put a pelican case back there and with a cable lock. Also have a few milk crates on the bed as well which are also cable locked. Im even thinking of removing my passenger seat since I never have passengers. On the positive side, youll have a good excuss to not give people rides lol. thanks

 

I have run toolboxes but now I just run totes. Works for me.

 

went to buckets on mine with no center console, now I have all sorts of room for when I grocery shop

 

I have had my 14 Tacoma regular cab for almost a month and I have not had any problems with storage.

I drive my Transit Connect work van everyday so anything I need goes in there. The Tacoma is my personal car that I drive to go shopping, dinner, movie theater, etc.

I am a single guy with no wife or kids, so I do not need the extra seating that an extended or crew cab offers. You have two glove boxes, and a little room behind the seats to store small to meduim sized items ( gloves, flashlights, small duffle tool bags)

As another posted mentioned above, you can add a cover and use your whole bed for storage.

I will try and post some pictures if that helps.

 

All the storage I need, it's called the bed.

 

Picking up my 2014 Tacoma Reg Cab on Saturday 1/18 and already have this mod planned. I have seen (somewhere) somebody mounted the "trunk net" over the cut out behind the bench seat and was able to keep it full of stuff with out having it mess all over the cab.

Once I have it installed I will post pics with other mods!

 

I, too, feel the pain. I really wanted an extended cab, but I got my truck on trade for a motorcycle with a blown head and 30 used tires so I had no room to argue I use to keep mine packed with junk and tools until one night not too long ago when a crackhead broke in to my truck and stole all my tools and recovery gear out of it! after that I pretty much keep it bare with just the essentials. I'm planning on a toolbox soon, with sone crackhead proof mods, of course and then I'll be keeping my tools (cheap harbor freight ones) and recovery gear in the box. At 6'2'' the cab room isn't exactly ideal, but, I make do. And I find since I've had the cab "junk free" it feels like I have a lot more room

 

Finally got a break in the weather and finished my storage project / pictures.

 

I just deleted all my friends numbers and threw my phone in a lake. now I never need to give people rides. worked perfectly

 

hahaha


For me, i just use my toolbox for chains and a come along. i have a shovel under and behind the seat is just a sleeping back for whatever the hell i run into and need to stay overnight in my truck. i am still in high school and don't need to carry much. when i'm in the marines however, i might get one of those in bed tool boxes and a camper top for my gear and shit. not sure, lookin far out right now but yanno.

 

Did this for all the tools and stuff, keeps behind the seat available for other stuff.


Also, on the "unique mods" thread, one guy used MOLLE material on the panel behind the seats. If i can find a sheet of this stuff i would be willing to pay an upholsterer to laminate the ENTIRE back panel and attach various size pouches for whatever you need..... Just an idea

EDIT: http://www.munroeknives.com/hosted/images/oev/serenitybuild10_156.jpg