3rd Gen, Long bed vs. Short bed

I just went out and measured the diagonal of my long bed. It’s about 90 inches diagonal on the floor,
and about 92 inches on diagonal above the wheel well for a sleeping platform.

For a short bed the diagonal on the floor would be about 77 inches because of the wheel well at the front of the bed.

If you had a canopy/shell and installed a sleeping platform above the wheel well in a short bed it would be about 81 inches on diagonal. Enough diagonal length for a shorter person to sleep, allowing for the width of your head, shoulders and feet in the corners of the bed.

I’ve owned many configurations of beds and cabs in both compact and full size trucks since my 1987 Nissan reg cab 4x4 and in daily driving in the city, suburbs or open country I don’t feel that 1 foot either way for a Tacoma is that big of a deal for parking or maneuvering. My last Tacoma was a 2000 double cab short bed 4x4 and then I had a 2002 Tundra access cab 4x4, and a Ranger xtra cab 4x4 before those along with some F150s and F250s on either side of the list.

 

Takes about a week to get used to the extra length and width, after that the 1st gen feels like a kid's toy.

You'll be fine.

 

Ok! Thanks for taking the time to respond, can't wait! Edit: Wow, the side-by-side difference is amazing!

 

Never driven a SB but LB looks better and more useful.

 

Longbed!!! No regerts.

 

I have the short bed. I wanted the long but there were none available in manual and I needed a truck. Next one will be the long bed for sure. Love the look.

 

LB. Love my Taco

 

60.5 vs 73.7

13.2 extra inches!
21.8 percent more!

 

The backup camera helps a lot with the transition, one of those things you find out you like more than you thought you would.... and the push button start, love that!

Congrats on the new truck!

 

Long Bed owner here. Got it for 2 reasons - to fit my skis and so I can sleep in it. No regrets! Only con is that it is a little bit of a pain to park in a crowded lot.

 

Just upgraded to a 3rd Gen from my 07 after wrecking it, does anyone find the 3rd Gens in a 6 foot bed look longer than the 2nds ? I see short beds and think they look stumpy and I find the 6’ beds look long in photos, not so much in person. 5.5 bed would be perfect haha. Sorry to bring back an old thread

 

Yup, I went long bed, double cab. It looked kinda weird stock, but once you do a lift, a few bumper mods for overlanding, it looks sick! Can sleep in the back, can haul dirtbikes with tailgate closed. No regrets here. LB all the way!

 

I picked up two 13 foot lengths of alu. structural angle today. Cant imagine the rigging it would take in a short bed.

Plus, I passed by a local farm that sells aged manure, thinking of the gardens.
I wonder if he gives a break to short bed loads. ;-)