Downsizing from Full size extended cab f150 to 4 door Tacoma?

I currently have a extended cab f150. Thinking of downsizing to smaller truck, 4 door Tacoma. I used to tow my trail rig jeep to off road events but recently sold it and bought a stock rubicon that I will keep very mild so I can drive it to off road events so I dont need a full size truck to tow anymore. Just wondering if I will regret my decision to swith to Tacoma based on Cab size.

I have two dogs, one very large 100+ yellow lab and a small aussie sheperd. I also have my daughter. Right now, my wife and I can travel with the dogs (big dog in back seat with daughter and small dog on wifes lap) fairly comfortable. I put the larger section of rear seat up for the dog and the little seat stays down for my daughter to sit on. If I go to Tacama will I have enough room to still do this or should I stick with the full size trucks? I would love to switch to Tacoma so I can buy it new and keep it 10+ years. If I got to stay with full size I will most likely go with Silverado since they have extended cab (not crew) with 4 doors and F150 only has suicide doors. Thanks for any insight on the cab space of a Tacoma. Seem small when I sat in back of one.

 

you will definitely notice the difference in cab size not only in the back seats but when your driving also...

I went from a full sized chevy to a 2003 tacoma... at first it was hard to get used to but then after that I really liked how easy it was to manuver.

in 2012 I went with a 2013 double cab and I have no regrets.

Im right around 6' 215lbs

 

I'd say, go to the dealership. Then for a selling point, tell the salesman you need to fill the truck up with bodies! And see how many sales men can fit in the tacoma lol

 

Welcome. Two dogs and my girlfriend fit perfect in my double cab. I came from a car though, so I was never spoiled with excessive space. Plan on anymore kids? Maybe look at a Tundra?

 

No more kids lol. If I go with a full size I think I will go with Cheverolet. I can get a nice brand new one for less than 35k with 4 doors. Tundra is going to cost me big bucks for a crew. will price tundras but Im thinking they will exceed my budget.

 

i went from a full size dodge to double cab with long bed. i'm not hauling animals but it provides comfortable ride for wife and a teenager. about the only thing i miss from the full size truck is the 8ft bed for hauling brush, mulch, firewood, etc.

 

I came from a double cab Tundra. There is definitely a noticable difference in size. I have my wife and three dogs in the Tacoma. We have a little jack russel that roams. We also have 65lb English Springer Spaniel and a 45lb Besenji mix. They fit comfortably together in the back seat. With the bottom folded forward and the back layed down. We built a carpeted platform for grip and to prevent them from falling into the cubby holes behind the seats. I think just one larger dog would be fine on the 60% platform.

 

I went from a 03 extended cab truck to a 07 double cab. I don't have any dogs but I have 2 young girl and can fit both in the back seat in car seats and me and the wife up front no problem. Like said I miss the bigger box but still manage. I love my tacoma and don't regret the switch at all

 

rent one from the dealership for a few days and make your decision from there

 

I think you'll notice the smaller cab size, but life is all about tradeoffs. If I were in your situation I'd take the Tacoma without a second thought, but I'm pretty loyal to the brand because they've never let me down. The back seat has a 60/40 bench, and both fold flat. The small half sits behind the driver, but if you have the driver seat slid back 90-100% it leaves about 8" of legroom for that rear seat. That might feel a bit cramped for your daughter. What I'd do is make the dog sit back there, have the wife slide her seat forward a bit (plenty of room in the passenger footwell), and have your daughter sit on that side.

You could also look around for a used 1st gen Tundra that's been well maintained. They're probably just the right size for what you're looking for. I'm not a fan of the new ones, they look like a beached whale and they're about as efficient. I feel it's a pretty safe bet that a 6-8 year old Tundra with 70-100k miles that was well cared for will still outlast most new Fords or Chevys. One of my friends just picked up an 02 or 03 Tundra with 170k that was rode hard by some farmer. The interior has seen better days but it runs just like new and I didn't see any rust when I looked under the frame.

 

Unless you get the super everything tundra, a lot of times they're almost the same price as a tacoma. They usually have better deals with the tundras, and almost never any price cuts on the tacoma.

 

I used to drive an f150 and a nissan titan before I went to an 09 double cab tacoma. I noticed the size difference but mostly the handling difference. The tacoma handles like a sports car compared to those trucks, with it's rock hard suspension and lightweight chassis. For the most part I like the bouncy shitty ride of the tacoma because that's the way trucks rode before they turned into modern metrosexual pansies. Recently I got old and stopped hauling ass back and forth to the bars and I'm happy with just an access cab for me and my woman plus a dog or two. I did pull the seats and the rest of the guts out of the back though to get more room. I have to disagree with what somebody said about looking into a 1st gen tundra, I test drove a few of those years ago (before they got old) and I remember thinking how terrible they were compared to the new tacomas. Just go to the dealership and test drive one. I think there'll be enough room for all of you.

 

I had F150's all my life until I bought a Sporttrac in 2004. When my wife filed for divorce I bought a 2009 Barcelona Red Tacoma party because I knew it would tic her off, because I needed something to get around my hunting lease, and 3 because I knew with her gone I could easily afford it. It took a little getting used to going from an F150 to the smaller truck but not long. At 6' almost 200 lbs it is not bad. If I was a bigger guy or did not hunt I would probably stick with a full size. I would be real leery of the Chevy 5.3. If you buy one then figure in one of those extended warranties that I hate so much.

 

R u talking about the new 5.3L or all of them? Maybe I should get used if I go with Chevy and get older model. I know 2014 engines are new.

 

Will cab size really be that diff going from an extended cab to a dc? I work out of dc chevys and there is a good bit of difference between those two but its not THAT much bigger. I thought an extended cab would actually be smaller. My buddy use to have an access cab tundra 2000 model. And my back seat is noticably larger.

 

Yea, the back of my f150 extended cab is bigger than the Tacomas crew cab. certainly wider

 

any with the cylinder deactivation

 

I went from a F150 SuperCrew to a 2004 Tacoma XtraCab and it was definitely...smaller. For just your wife and dogs, a double cab will work. As others have mentioned, its narrower and shorter than a full size. If you're feeling cramped in the F150 on trips due to whatever you're carrying, it'll be worse in the Tacoma. Also, being a lighter truck, it won't be quite as smooth on the road.

However, the gas mileage is better so your wallet will thank you. Also, being somewhat smaller in length and width, its much more nimble than a full size and has a much tighter turning radius.

Lastly, as others have said, go to the dealer and drive one with your wife in the front seat.

 

Definitely test drive. You will know best if it's what you're looking for when you're riding in it. Take your family for a ride and see if it looks like it will fit your dogs too.

I went with the double cab after having an access cab and for me it's much roomier. No kids, but a wife and 2 dogs. One dog is large and the other one medium large.

 

I just traded a 13 Rubicon for my Tacoma. And sold a F250 CCLB 4x4 to get it. I love being able to park anywhere. The Taco will seem like a slug compared to the Jeep. And it also will drive rougher than either my 20 year old FJ80,F250 or Rubicon 4dr. The Sport LB had a better ride onroad than all the others I tested. I think it has better sway bars. I wanted lockers. But they don't offer those. Except SB and in the rear only. My old 80 was tripled locked. Don't know why they don't still offer this option. But you got a bad ass old school locked 44s. So I think you got the offroad thing handled. I see you are in NY. You may want to look into frame rust issues. I believe that problem was addressed. But I made sure my used one was local to SC to make sure. Tots really Fd a lot of people over on that one. But I have been pleased with mine. Just wish it got better mpg for a small truck.