New taco time tips and advice

Currently running around in an 2001 extra cab. Going to be adding to the family so I need some more doors. (I’m going to be keeping the 2001) I haven’t had much experience with the 2nd or 3rd gens. Is there a year that stands out as better than the others? Anything to consider?

 

2011-2015 is ideal for 2nd gen, less headgasket failures, better interior, and much better headlights/tail lights. No major issues, timing covers/timing chains on high mileage. And rust perferation that is currently covered under extended warranty.

Many 2005-2010's are out of frame recall warranty and are thus riskier.

2018+ for 3rd gen. Simply due to bugs worked out over time. Biggest issues currently faced are highmount brake lights leaking, radios freezing, and timing covers leaking.

 

No salt here in Oregon so rust isn’t a big issue. TRD OR is the only model with rear locker correct? And do all extra cabs have a third door?

 

Rust can come from other states/provinces. We see it here all the time, a truck is bought out east and sold on the west coast for cheap.

ALWAYS CHECK FRAME RUST.

TRD Offroad is only model with locker. 2005+ is called "access cab" and they have 2 front doors, 2 rear reverse doors. Tiny seats.

 

Yes. TRD O/R has the locker.
Yes, Extra (Access) Cab has 4 doors. You are required to open the front doors to open the rears.
I’d honestly get a 4 Doors (Double Cab) if I needed more room, especially if you are upgrading for family reasons.

 

This is true.

 

Can you fit a car seat back there??

 

Even 2005+ double cabs struggle to get rear facing car seats.

Access cabs is a 100% no. They are not intended for child seats and you'll find many threads on it here.

I got rid of mine in anticipation for a baby.

 

I went from a 1st gen extra cab to a DCLB and I love it. I don't even need the extra seats. The early 2nd gens like mine have quirks but it's so much better than the 1st gen overall. If you have the paper get the 2011-2015!

 

Since you are in oregon, travel to California to find ones with zero rust.
I forget which exact years had the head gasket issue. I know it is 2005 for sure, but not sure about 2006. Besides that, they're all good.
2009 had a minor update with led taillights, which look more modern to me than previous years, so 09+ is my personal preference.
Good luck with the search!

 

2005. In November 2005 (includes early 2006 models) Toyota fixed the head gasket problem and the engine frame mount problem. Both of those problems are highly overrated in actual percentage of problems for the actual amount of trucks built for that time period.

My 1st gen came from Oregon. It's frame was spotless.

 

I have 2 car seats in mine. Rear facing works best in the middle and I'd recommend looking for a smaller car seat if you have to run multiples. I'm 5'10 and was able to make it work fine.

 

I went from a 2003 Access Cab to 2014 Double Cab due to the kids getting older/bigger. You’ll be faced with the decision of a 5 or 6 foot bed if you go with the Double Cab. I was also surprised to find out the beds in the 2nd gens are actually narrower than the 1st gens.

 

Yeah no rust issues around here really, unless you live on the coast.

 

That is surprising. I thought these bad boys have slowly been getting bigger over the years

 

'Numbers, Les! I need numbers!'

"Published Specs":
1st gen= 57.9". 40.9" between wheel wells. Sidewalls are straight/dished in.

2nd gen= 56.7". 41.5" between wheel wells. Sidewalls are flat and taper out as you go up.

Edited

 

Wall to wall at bed floor was ~6 inches narrower. I have a 2x10 which has bicycle fork mounts bolted to it. I had to shave ~3 inches on both sides to get it to fit flat in the 2014 bed. I was really surprised. The reason for this is the bed on the 1st gens is the metal body (my truck didn’t have the plastic liner which would have eaten into bed width; it was Line-X’ed) while the bed on the 2nd and 3rd gens are the composite insert. There is a significant gap between the rear quarter panel and the inside of the bed. Take a look from underneath and you’ll see what I mean.

 

I'm gonna have to replace my tape measure.

 

Don’t even consider an access cab if you plan on having kids. Yes you could squeeze in a smaller car seat, but do you want to go through that hassle? Think about when that child gets older and moves into a forward facing and then a booster...

Just because you’re comfortable doesn’t mean they are.

 

Yeah, Toyota's #s are at the midway point, not the floor. If the 2nd gen used the same metal bed design it would be wider at the floor.

My actual specs:
52-7/8" on floor @tailgate (narrowest point)
53" on floor after that
56-3/4" @mid point (lumber notches) (Toyota's point of measure)
57-1/2" @top (between tie down rails)
58" @top (under or without tie down rails)

Edited 1st post