I Wanna Fit In!

Hello everyone! New member who is currently Taco-less, but looking to fill the void here soon!

My wife and I are expecting a little one in April, so I need to upgrade to something with a back seat. I currently have a standard cab '05 F-150 which is not gonna fly with a car seat. We are fairly outdoorsy, and would like to stay that way. Gotta stay with a truck and I know you just cant beat the value of a Toyota, so I've landed myself here to do some research, and join the community once I find my ride!

My dad currently has a 2001 extended cab Taco (4 cylinder), with over 300k on the clock! He has done very little maintenance (basically oil changes) to achieve those 300k. He had a standard cab Toyota before that, and we had a Camry as a family car for a long time when I was younger. All of that has left a very good impression on me for Toyota.

I would love to have a new shiny Gen 3, but budget is not gonna allow that with the kiddo on the way. With the little research I've done, I think I want to go with a 2012+ (or 2013+, not sure of differences???) Double Cab, Long Bed, preferably TRD Sport. I'm usually not a fan of white or black vehicles, but both of those are really catching my eye now, especially white.

I've researched rear seat room, and it sounds like the space of the double cab is a non-issue for most. Rear-facing car seat in the middle, then behind passenger when becomes forward facing (planning on keeping this truck for a looong time). I'm 6', my wife is 5', so neither of us need to scoot all the way back.

I've got a lot of motorcycles and do quite a bit of house work which leads to the long bed. I just don't think I would be happy with a short bed.

Well, that's my intro! I will be posting in the For Sale / Wanted forum and probably in the Gen 2 forum as well! I appreciate any insight you guys have for me!

 

Can't wait to see what you get man! Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to tw

 

No discernable difference in 2012-2015 I believe maybe some color choices and changes to entertainment screen. Really only minor things.

DCLB is great for "truck" needs oal is 221"
And congrats on upcoming little one my wife and I just had our first girl in March.

 

Welcome. The only thing to really look or ask about is the secondary air pump. I think it was in the 2012 and some other years not sure which though. Yes to with the long bed with as much stuff as you do. Congrats to you and your wife on the new arrival and GL with the truck search.

 

Congrats on the baby. The car seat will fit on a double cab. However it will be a little cramped if you have long legs. Some people over 6’ may find the ride a little tight on long trips. Get a car seat and take a taco on a test drive. Try it with the seat behind the driver then switch to the passenger side. Make sure to take the wife and try both sitting positions.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Planning on test driving a local 2012 short bed just to see how I like it. I may see if I can bum a car seat to test with lol

Thanks JaCado for tip on the secondary air pump. I'll look into that.

While I'm at it, any major differences between 2011 and 2012? I know the front end is a little different as well as the steering wheel and center stack. Other than that, any functional items?

 

Welcome and congrats on welcoming (2) great new things into your world! Taco + baby

 

I have a 2014 DCSB and have two car seats in the back of mine. One forward facing for my 3 year old, and one rear facing for me 18 month old. No problems with that at all. Even when we just had one, and had it in the middle, still no issue. You're good to go!

And congrats on the little one!

 

Welcome And congratulations on the little one on the way. I have a 2012 DC Sport short bed. I bought new about 6 years ago.
You might check out my "Not my build but my life with my Tacoma" thread. It might give you a little insight on life with, and my thoughts after 6 years
of owning a 2012-15 double cab. The threads not finished as I still add to occasionally as I get time. As far as 2011 to 2012 Toyota did quite a bit or restyling, not a remake but still a lot of changes. Most think the 2012's-2015's look much improved.
I added a link below to my "not my build thread". Check it out if you get an extra minute.
And again congrats on the little one.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...inions-after-6-years-and-40-000-miles.507341/

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I am in the same boat

 

Welcome to TW and congrats on the kiddo!

 

Great to hear! I really want this to last me a while, so its encouraging hearing you have two car seats back there!

Thanks for all the congrats and welcomes!

 

A bit discouraged after reading up on the Secondary Air Pump issues...

 

Simple fix when you get it. Then you won't have to worry about it.

 

Yea, probably will bypass it as soon as I get it. More discouraged with the lack of acknowledgement on Toyota's part, not actually fixing it. Its pretty obvious the failure comes from a sub-par system/parts.

 

Update on my search!

I test drove a local '12 Short Bed TRD Sport this week. Decent truck, but 70k miles and it looks like it was heavily used. Wasn't terrible shape, but a little worse than what I want. Never considered buying because of the short bed anyways, just testing it out because I haven't been in a Gen2 before.

Also drove a 2013 LB TRD Sport in Michigan while out of town yesterday. Super clean truck, but had a hint of smoke smell. Very clean undercarriage and it was a truck that that particular dealer sold in 2013 new, and had all maintenance done at that location. So it had a great paper trail. It was priced a little higher than I'm looking for, and it was grey, so again, just a test drive to see how I like the trucks in general.

I learned a few things driving them.

• They are super solid compared to my '05 F150 with 150k on the clock (surprise surprise LOL). No rattles and good riding trucks. Very little body roll in my opinion, compared to other SUVs and trucks I've driven. I travel a lot for work so I've driven a ton of rentals, so I think I have a pretty good pool to judge from.
• Definitely want a long bed. Maneuvering it inst any worse than my single cab F-150, may even be better because of the width. So that eliminates any concerns I had there.
• Definitely want the TRD Sport. I like the corny hood scoop and sporty suspension.
• Color... this is the biggie. Ive been snooping around on here looking at threads about colors and suspension set ups, mods etc. I am reaaaallly liking the Super White, especially with some blacked out badges and grill. Not sold on blacked out wheels though. I mentioned to my wife last night that I think I decided on a color, and she was not fond that my chosen color was white. In fact I think "No" was her response. If I still decide on white, it wouldn't be the first time I went against her on a decision . That being said, that Barcelona Red is really growing on me... decisions... I think black is out, just because of how much of a pain it is to keep black clean. I know red is no walk in the park either, but its better. White should be pretty easy. Another point for while, plus it hides scratches much easier.

Im gonna try to be as patient as possible and get exactly what I want, because I want to keep this as long as possible.

Anyone interested in a single cab F150!?!? I would really like to sell before moving on a Taco.

As always, thoughts and suggestions welcome!