AC vs DCSB Builds

Hey everyone, I'm looking to pick up a truck at some point very soon. I've been looking at placing an order on a 2014 Spruce Mica Tacoma and have been debating an Access Cab or Double Cab Short Bed.

I know the differences between the two, and the pros and cons and all of that, please don't make this thread about those details. I realize it's mostly subjective and specific to my use-case. I really want to see YOUR favorite AC or DCSB builds. Just trying to get a feel for what other people have done with them before I go and make a decision.

Also, yes, I did find the AC and DCSB threads useful, but a lot of those were stock and I'm looking for your opinions on what you think the best build is for each cab style you've seen. Mainly looking for rock / trail rigs, not sand or desert rigs, but I appreciate them all

 

I have an ok crawler build. Kind of dual purpose for sand and rocks. Link is in my sig.

NWItaco and Awsumdc have some pretty gnarly DC solid axled builds.

Nyco and n0rth have pretty good non-SAC'd AC crawlers.

I'm on my phone or I would link you too them. I'll try to remember when I get back on my computer.


For me I like the DC so I can haul more than one passenger offroad if I need to. It would be absurd to cram an adult in the back seat of an AC for very long.

One thing I like about the AC is you can strip the back seat out and start bolting things down like gear and coolers and speakers and such while I can't because I want to leave that open for passengers. Sure I can store more stufff in the back seat than an AC but nothing is permanently mounted.

 

I like mine

 

Double Cab Builds:

NwiTACO's Build

awsumdc's Build

colinb17's Build

SconnieHailer's Build

BradyT88's Build

Access Cab Builds:

NYCO's Build

n0rth's Build

shutterbug's Build



These are all the "crawler" builds that I follow.

 

I suppose I have another build thread I need to sub to haha

I branched out to a few builds early on and haven't really looked for others since. All the ones I linked I have wheeled with except the 2 SAC'd crawlers which are just badass basically and then there is Colin. Not sure how I ended up following his build. haha.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. This is really what I was looking for.

I'm really leaning towards an access cab just based on how badass they look alone. All these Double Cab builds look great but I think I'm willing to effectively make it a 2-seater with some storage in the back rather than a full 4-seater.

It's going to be a DD for a few years while I run my cherokee into the ground. But after that I really want to make it a 2-seater + tool rig. I basically do that already with the way the cherokee is setup. 2 front seats and a back half-bench that basically fits a child (I've never had a passenger... it's usually filled with recovery gear and tools). I'd love to have an actual cab, wipers, doors, heater, etc... Which is kind of where this whole push is coming from. Comfortable DD for a few years and then build it to replace the current rig. I'd really like something that can handle multiple days and camping trips and not necessarily have to be carried to an offroad park on a trailer

I'm probably going to be building it roughly equivalent, possibly even reusing the D44 and Ford 9" I have in there now. Anyway, this is the "cherokee" I was talking about. Kind of a cherokee... the floor, engine, trans, transfer case and dash at least

 

Just a heads up... A D44 is going to be a bit on the weak side under a 2nd gen... Unless it won't leave pavement I guess. haha

 

Probably true... But I've had good luck so far with the current setup. The I-6 4.0L in the current rig isn't quite as powerful as the Gen 2 Tacos but considering the 4.0L and 5.13 gears I've only managed to break a stock D44 shaft. Haven't had the "pleasure" of breaking a chromoly shaft yet after replacing the stocker.

I like the axles I currently have in a weird way. It's just a welded D44 Reverse Spiral and Ford 9" out of an F-150 but they've been put through some serious abuse and are the only things worth half a damn on the current rig lol.

It's been a while since I've been in an IFS setup. Do people around here tend to just build them or go for a full SAS and throw in a D60, D44, 14-bolt converted for steering, etc...? I figured most would stay IFS for LT and MT setups but you seem to be doing ok with an IFS for crawling

 

So far most just stick with the IFS. Mostly because that's a pretty pricey/new rig to start hacking up too much yet. haha Also probably because there are so many bolt on options to get some decent performance out of the IFS. So far I do well trying to keep up with Wranglers and other solid axled rigs on 37's and down.

From what I have seen of others, the 2nd gen IFS CV axles can handle 37's about as well as stock D44 axles so I don't see a point in cutting it off to throw a D60 under there unless you plan on running 40's and larger. The biggest problem with a D44 under a 2nd gen is the weight. 2nd gens are heavy. I am pushing 6000lbs before I start loading all my camping gear into it. I am usually the heaviest rig out there when I go wheeling.

I plan to go to 37's eventually, but I am waiting to throw an LT kit up front. the extra width will help with clearing them so I don't have to cut the fire wall out. haha