Child in access cab?

Don’t want to

Best of luck, let us know what you get and once you do, this forum will be of great use to you, cheers!

 

Buy a 4Runner.

Ever need a pallet of concrete?
No?
Don't need a truck.

 

Unless you haul stuff like furniture that shows up on the curb and your wife has you go back lol

 

Wow thank you everyone for all these great tips, much appreciated, and amusing.

I want a 1st gen bc of how compact they are and how they look aesthetically. So, based on the helpful comments here I'll continue my search for a 2001-2004 double cab... but.. just in case I find the perfect Xtra cab, now I know it's possible to transport a child (albeit not convenient).

PS. I don't want a 4Runner. I do actually have a job (and interests, like sidewalk furniture) where I need a truck. But thank you to whoever suggested that.

 

Just get one of these and fuck them kids. Just kidding I have a 2 gen double cab for those assholes.

 

yeah just get a the ext cab no problem. or just get the reg cab with a bench seat

 

But I’ve never needed a pallet of concrete…

where would all of my tools and firewood and dirt bikes and landscaping material and stuff for the dump and couch and appliances go?

Aw man, do I have to get a 4Runner and a trailer just because I’ve never needed a pallet of concrete?

 

Access cab with kids… been there done that. Never again. Get the double cab for you and your kid’s sake.

 

I understand but you said in your post "Guys, she wants a g1 single cab... " You meant g1 access cab?

 

I have owned both an access and a double cab both gen 1s. I Currently own the double cab. Get the double. With six kids and constantly taking a couple of them around at a time with me places I have experience. It’s much more efficient with the DC. From a safety standpoint as well I would go double.

 

When I was a kid it was pretty funny stepping on the seat release from the back while my brother was sleeping in it from the back seat of an ext. Cab

 

Yes.

...ok you can add dirtbikes to the list



I just think it's funny when 50% of truck owners add a tonneau cover, or camper shell, or just buy and exclusively use a utility trailer, and the other half just drive it empty 99.5% of the time

btw you can get 16ft lumber inside a 4runner since the back window slides down. I've also fit a couch in there when I owned one. You trade height for depth (and it's air conditioned )

 

I have a 2 year old and a 04 Double Cab. My GF has a 2 year old as well and 2 car seats, 2 diaper bags and 2 adults up front really rounds out the interior space of the 1st gens. My GF has a 2019 F150 and it is absolutely massive compared to the Tacoma!

Good luck on your search, DC's are incredibly hard to find and climbing in prices daily!

 

You didn't mention this as a factor, but if you want a manual, an Xtra Cab may be your only option. At least it was for the '03. I would have bought a double cab, but they didn't come in a manual, and that was a deal-stopper. I used my Xtra Cab for Jr. as an infant and all the way up through a booster seat in the back and until he graduated to the passenger seat...and now the driver's seat! But as others have noted, it typically wasn't the first choice. We'd use the wife's sedan in most scenarios, but the Tacoma was fine whenever I needed it for him.

If a manual transmission wasn't a factor, I would have bought a double cab. If it isn't a factor for you, I'd say go with the double.

 

Yeah manuals were only offered on Xtra and single cabs with the first gens. One of the things I will never forgive Toyota for...

 

Thanks everyone! Looks like I'll stick to searching for a double cab. I have another question now. If I limit my search to a 2001-2004 double cab, should I get a 4 or 6 cylinder? I’m guessing everyone will tell me to get a V6, but some of my needs and concerns are probably different than the average person in this forum:

- What is the real world difference in fuel economy? On the technical stats it says the avg difference is only 1 mpg, like 18mpg for a 4cyl vs 17mpg for a 6cyl. But then on Fuelly some of the real world stats say 19mpg for a 4cyl and 15mpg for a 6cyl, which is a pretty big difference. Gas where I am is near $6/gallon right now and I drive a lot so its a real concern. I have looked on the forums here but curious if anyone knows specifically comparing G1 4cyl DC vs. G1 6cyl DC, assuming other factors are the same. I have heard because of the extra weight the gas on a 4cyl ends up being the same. Is this true?

Other factors specific to me:
- Accelerating fast on the freeway is not a priority for me
- I'm looking for an automatic. I tried to learn stick on a G1 Tacoma but because I'm short the clutch is a strain
- I don’t have to haul a full bed of stuff everyday, it will only be packed 1-2 days a week. The rest of the time will be pretty lightweight (I still don't want a 4runner to the person who keeps suggesting it. I have a lot of messy things to move around so the interior will get destroyed like my last car)
- I’m hoping to get a G1 DC in good shape with around 150K miles that will last to 300K - which one will get me there with fewer problems, 4 or 6cyl? I'm sure this question opens a can of worms but whats the short answer? Some forums say the 4cyl is “bulletproof”..?
- When problems do come up, what will be easier and cheaper to fix (by a mechanic)?

I know these are probably silly questions to some of you but I'm a newbie and I need help making the right choice. Thanks in advance for helping this mom out - it’s MUCH appreciated!

 

I would get the 6 cylinder especially for the double cab. The 2.7l 4 banger is a workhorse but the 3.4l v6 is a great engine and just as reliable imo. Neither one makes impressive numbers but the 6 will be better esp for the slightly heavier double cab.

And the auto transmissions on these zap a good bit of power, more reason to get the v6.

 

Get a 4 cylinder so you can turbo it

Get a v6 if you want something that isn't bad enough to complain about while still being unfulfilling

 

bless your heart

 

Something I was upset with Toyota for but ended up having a silver lining was no manual transmission in a DCLB second gen Tacoma.

I needed the DC and the LB so I figured if I can’t have a manual transmission I may as well give the first gen Tundra DC a try. Man, am I glad I did. It’s 10x the truck my Tacomas were, more spacious, more power, and cost me a third or a quarter of what the Tacomas we were looking at cost. 05-06 Tundra DC is Toyota’s best truck ever made. Can’t change my mind