Looking for the ideal dbl cab w/ 6'bed

I need help figuring out what to upgrade into.
I currently have an 06 access cab. My daughter is 2, and she fits fine in her car seat in the back, but it's not comfy for Mommy with the passenger seat all the way forward. I also have two big dogs who go everywhere with me, and we do load up the back with stuff pretty frequently (just bulky, not heavy loads), so I absolutely need the 6' bed.

So it's time to upgrade to a double cab.

Here are the factors I'm juggling:
1. At least the 5.5' bed, if not 6'. Definitely not the newer short beds.
2. Budget. Ideally something used around $15k-ish, so not a new one.
3. I don't technically NEED 4wd, but if I must...
4. Older is fine, from the research I've done it looks like they started the "crew cab" in 2001. Our local mechanic is excellent and reasonable, so no worries if there's some expected maintenance coming up.
5. We live in a very rural area with windy steep roads, so good handling/suspension.

I've been researching to the point where it's all becoming a blur, so it's time to put this out to the experts. What do you recommend?

Thanks very much for any input, this will have a major impact on my wife's happiness, and therefore to my quality of life in general for years to come.

 

I'd say for $15K you dont have to many options except to go with an early 2nd gen Tacoma like 2005-2008 cause these trucks hold their value. Since you have a little one in a car seat I'd def suggest a double cab cause child restraints arent the safest in those access cab types of seats and I know this because I've been a child restraint technician for almost 4 years now. Plus with her being 2 years old shes either getting very close to being forward facing or already is so the bigger the back seats the more she will enjoy the openness and views which in turn will make a happier mom haha.

 

I agree, look for an early ('05-'08) BCLB, I'm not familiar completely with Cali pricing but I'd guess you could find one of those at or under the $15k mark out there. It'll handle all your needs and if you're not gonna wheel, the long bed makes it a little more cumbersome off-road but it can be done. The 1st gen trucks are great but if you're lookin for somethin with a little newer feel to it stay in the second gen ('05+) range.

 

I think here in No Cal prices are higher than the rest of the country

 

Thanks for the feedback! Yep, she's already forward facing, and if it's just the two of us and the passenger seat is way forward, she's fine.

Is there any particular year or setup that is known to handle better or have other benefits that you guys know of? We're ok if it doesn't have the "newer" feel, I'd really just like for it to ride smooth (and safe). I've never driven a TRD. Is it substantially better?

I guess I was hoping there was some common wisdom amongst the afficionados, like "oh, the 04 TRD Crew Cab was the best setup for that." or "anything before 2010 when they messed with xyz..."

I've got to say that this 06 really doesn't seem to have the best suspension, every bump feels like a curb. Plus there's a bunch of little things that have added up (like the "oh shit" handle for the passenger is in the stupidest spot way out in front at an angle, giving no leverage to my poor wife, which means I have to corner turns like I'm driving an RV or she gets annoyed, and we all know how fun it is to be stuck driving next to an annoyed wife. Oh, and while I'm ranting, the windshield wipers have NO adjustable speed control, it's either FAST or FASTER. Even our 85 Forerunner has that feature!) Little things, but they add up. Sorry for the rant, but I had to vent.

Thanks again!

 

Look at first gen tundra dbl cab 6ft bed 4.7 v8. My wife drives her DD and loves it.If u drive it sensibly fuel milage is close to taco

 

From all the factors you listed, you pretty much summed up a 2nd gen dbl cab TRD sport 4x4 longbed. Spacious enough for kid's car seats, 6ft bed for hauling, smooth ride of a TRD Sport, 4x4 for your windy rural roads, and a hood scoop to look cool behind the wheel...hmmm.sounds familiar..

 

X2. I love my 2006 TRD Sport DCSB!

 

Sounds like a consensus on the dclb TRD sport.
Any year better than another? It'll be an automatic, no towing (until I can afford a boat, which is just one lottery ticket away).

 

If your looking at the older 2nd gens like 2005-2008 there isnt much difference option wise but just little things here and there but just minor stuff. All TRD Sports have pretty much the same options within those years so either year you choose you will be good to go.