I'm buying a new taco; stuck in the mud between access cab and double cab

this is a really tough decision for me and i ended up here because I definitely need advice. Toyota TRD 4wd off road access cab vs Double cab

I will be working this truck on mountain roads helping the forestry service clear fire trails from downed trees. We also heat our home with this wood so that's why i need the access cab. However my fiance is pissed about it (irrelevant) but after looking at the tacos it seems the double cab is the better 4wd vehicle. It appears the weight is centered more for 4wd use and in the winter I need that especially to access roads where other vehicles can't get into.

I am really limited in choices here in Southern California i'm ex military and they don't even have that sandy taco tactical color I like. The dealership said it's possible to waive the transport charge from another state if that's what I really want. However in the access cab models I think the gun metal grey looks better but they are trying to screw me with a $770 technology package I just don't need. Does anyone even work these trucks anymore or are they strictly 4wd machines?

Any help would be greatly appreciated im also paying cash on delivery I worked a ton of hours last year so i wouldn't have to finance. I won't be able to afford any serious upgrades for a few months so I have to nail this purchase right from the start and can't afford to make any mistakes.

Thanks

 

I don't get the correlation?

Pissed about what? But anyway, if irrelevant, why include it?

Shop elsewhere. The internet opens all doors in N America. Takes some effort, but better than phone calls of 20 years ago.

Ok.

Well, it's actually an upsell, but I agree, if you don't want it, just don't buy one.

No clue what that means.

Suggest you'll need tires at a minimum. Either 255 85 16 or 255 80 17 will fit on your stock wheels, no lift, no rubbing. Full 33", available in E rating, and will give you actual improved ground clearance as well as rough terrain durability.

Seems a front hidden hitch like Mobtown off road has, along with a receiver mounted winch (that you could mount front or rear, depending on conditions) would be a good future project.

And these composite beds are durable, but I'd not indiscriminately throw heavy material in them. Put it in, yes, not throw.

Keep in mind your max load. Soon you'll find you'll have to upgrade the rear springs, that does not increase load capacity. Just gives you springs that work like they should have from the beginning.

 

The access cab has an extra foot which helps when loading larger logs onto the bed. I don't have to make as many cuts with the chainsaw. When the wood is seasoned that's when i cut it to wood stove length. I included my woman because i have to live with her if the dbl cab is the better 4wd unit that's what i need and she'll be happy. My old 08 Frontier had me stuck multiple times last year and after cutting wood it sucks having to winch it out....

I don't know brother obviously i'm still shell shocked from the dealership that's why i backed off the purchase until I receive more input. I'm not a big fan of all this electronic garbage and i like reaching over my seat and manually sliding the window.versus electronic window in the dblcb. I really like the Frontiers but the pro 4x is only a few thousand less here in socal and i really like that crawl control the Tacos have..

Thanks for your reply it's very much appreciated.

 

The access cab is lighter than the double, so your payload capacity is more than a double cab. Do you NEED the extra cab room or the bed space? I had a TRD OR access cab with nothing extra except the bedmat, it was plenty capable in snow and winter conditions. None of these trucks are unbalanced, they are just fine. For extra traction in snow, whether short bed or long, leave some firewood in the back. Either configuration will be fine, just figure out what you really need. And don’t settle for what the dealer wants to sell off the lot, you’re paying lots of cash, so get exactly what you want, even if you must go out of state to get it.

 

I thought the bed lengths are independent of the cabs? You can get a 5 foot bed or 6 foot, in either Double or Access.

And I am by no means are wheeling expert, but I don't think there is much difference between Access vs Double for wheeling purposes. Other than Access having a shorter wheel base (good), there are other factors that have much more impact (i.e. tires, lift, diff, etc.)

Lastly... your dealership is full of shit. Get the EXACT truck you want and don't pay a dime over what you think it's worth. If your dealer doesn't wanna play, find another. Or, I have heard buying through Costco is good.

 

The access cab is only in the 6 ft bed, the double cabs have the option. The access cab and dcsb have the same wheelbase, just different cab and bed configurations.

 

An access cab and double cab -short box both have the same wheelbase, so they will be equally capable 4WD .... you can also buy a double cab with the long box which gives you 4 full doors and the long bed, but it will be long and harder to maneuver through tight trails and you will be more likely to bottom out cresting steep hills.

If you don't like the electronics buy a used 2015 and spend the extra on tires and a small lift, best of all worlds.

 

hot damn, I learned something today. thanks.

 

I thought AC and DCSB have the same wheelbase?

To the OP: What about a DCLB? Makes your fiancé happy and you get a 6' bed.

But personally, if I didn't need the passenger space, I'd just go with the cheaper Access Cab. SR, rear seat delete/utility package.

 

I don't know about the snow, sooo can't comment there.

I can say (from having a double cab short bed for nearly 11 years, and now an access cab for a few months) I prefer the access cab. The rear cab is smaller, but with the seats folded up you do have a lot of available space to work with. Biggest difference is where with the DC you can put stuff on the floor and then on the seats, with the access cab it needs to be more "packed". Requires a bit more organization rather than just tossing things in. But it can fit A LOT more than I expected back there.

I wanted the longer bed without the longer wheelbase, however if the wheelbase isn't an issue I'd opt for the Double Cab Long Bed. This sounds like it might be the best option for you @ej_

 

I have an access cab, live in the mountains where we get feet of snow. Truck gets me everywhere i need to go and I haven't gotten stuck yet. You can fit alot of wood in the bed no problem. Push comes to shove if your worried about it not having enough weight in the winter for traction toss a couple of sand bags in the back.

 

^^ @Riding Dirty is correct, DCSB and ACLB are the same wheelbase.
DC is a foot bigger cab for a foot shorter bed.

 

Welcome to TW! I agree with @Riding Dirty if you are looking for more bed space you should go access cab unless you absolutely need the double cab. It seems you can get a double cab with a 6ft bed, but it will be a beast imo. I would go access cab as they still have a lot of space. It's not like a first gen, they are pretty roomy, and you will still have a very capable truck. If your dealer is giving you shit like that, don't do business with them, and call another dealership. LA has a plethora of dealerships that will work hard to get your business, or go out of state. Someone in san diego just picked up a pro in AZ at almost dealer invoice. You can get a deal but you have to shop it.

 

Either Tacoma will be capable off road and will get you where you need to go. IMO get the double cab long bed. That way you have the 6 foot bed and plenty of storage/transport capacity and can keep it long into the future for when you have kids.

 

You only gain about 8in of room in the DCSB over the AC due to the storage behind the seats. Plenty of room in the back of an AC, IMO.

 

Also storage wise I just went to sportsman's warehouse and found some boxes that level off in the back and fit behind the seat perfectly

 

Do you think they are both equally capable in 4wd conditions? In the spring i deal with lots of mud and rock slide garbage and in the winter it appears the dble may alleviate me throwing snow chains on all the time without throwing sand bags or logs in the back of the bed. chains can be a pain in the ass especially when you're tired from cutting wood. No way is a dealer going to convince me of anything I have spent quite a bit of time researching this and I always end up here that's why i asked for help. It's a very difficult purchase the dealer did say they could possible waive the transport charge from another state if I want a certain color/model because i'm a vet. I really like that tactical brown yet in the access cab gunmetal grey looks better imho. My woman hates that coyote brown color and im trying to be cool about things. In the end she really is irrelevant because this is my purchase and my money i'll take the hit but it would be better if i can accommodate her a little bit. When we do these road clear offs it's basically cut longest length as possible in and out sort of thing...

thankyou so much for your reply

 

If you plan on having a family or already do save yourself the trouble and just go for a double cab. You wouldn't want to be the guy to post "I have a kid on the way any suggestions on car seats or anyways to squeeze my kid in?" thread.

 

the AC is an absolute beast in the snow.

ive taken mine on many an unpaved road, in snow as deep as 1.5' and never gotten close to stuck......and that was on factory road tires.

if you need the bed space, get the AC.....if you need the Cab space, get the DC.........but dont worry about the AC in the snow.

 

I am so used to throwing wood and cutting logs for the Frontier i really worry about the adjustment to cutting smaller logs for a 5' bed. However if the dblcb alleviates me throwing snow chains on all the time that would negate the wasted time. btw many of these trees in the winter have frozen sap and it dulls the chain quickly so less cuts is better obviously.

so are you very happy with your access cab?

thanks for your reply