Possibly jumping Tacoma ship

So, i love my tacoma. standard cab, 4x4 5 speed. 130K on the clock now and it has never once left me stranded. It needs a new frame, so other than that it has been a great truck. the frame is due to be replaced later this summer...hopefully the frame comes in sooner than that. anyways, it has come to my attention lately that i could use a little more room. No, i didnt get fatter. The wife and I are planning on trying for kids later this year, and with kids coming into the picture along with 3 dogs we already have now, i have a feeling the standard cab will get out grown QUICKLY.

I do not want a four door tacoma, i've been in a few and for the cost for the amount of space you get, i dont like it. I've been looking at 2003-2006 Tundras as well as 2003-2006 sivlerados/sierras. my dad had a silverado and that truck was bulletproof. nearly 200K miles when he traded it in with one major repair (tranny rebuild). I figure if i start my researching now, when the time comes i can really start searching.

Is there anything i need to know about for the 2003-2006 tundras or watch out for? if i read correctly, they had the same frame issue the tacomas had correct? educate me please!

 

i definitely cant afford a second gen, i think i'm probably limited to the first gens.

 

First gen tundras are not really any bigger then secons gen tacomas

 

Thanks for the replies, i'll have to take some measurements. I think i will join the other forum and see what kind of info i can find regarding what to look out for etc..

 

My brother in law had a 1st gen Tundra extended cab. It was too small for baby seats to go in the back. If you plan on growing the family and getting a Tundra because of that, it will have to be a full double cab. As mentioned above, it also is not much bigger than the 2nd gen Tacoma DCs. Nice truck though, especially the V8, and the Tacomas don't get great gas mileage anyway, so the Tundra is a good option.

 

If you don't need the bed, do yourself a favor and get an SUV...enough room for kids, dogs and "all the kids stuff" you have to bring everywhere

 

I was considering getting a suv, but do a lot of stuff around the house, and i occasionally have to haul my motorcycle, so the bed is really nice to have. landscaping the yard this year, drywall work this year, putting up a fence, all make good use of a truck bed lol

 

This. I had a 2002 tundra and I think it is about the same size as my double cab taco almost exactly with a lower floor board. Almost felt like I was laying down when sitting.

 

Timing belt on the 4.7 which is an interference motor.

 

4Runner+Trailer

 

I'm sure I'll get hammered for this, but it sounds like the chevy is your best fit.

had a 99' suburban that was and still is trucking along with over 250K. Keep in mind, milage on the tacoma is bad but milage on a full size truck is really bad.
plus side is the chevy has a "not as good" resale value so you can probably get into a newer chevy than expected for the budget.

 

A man with an open mind, always a good thing.

 

I know the 1st gen tundras got a transmission upgrade at some point. make sure you get the updated version. My dad had a 2002 and the tranny blew out at 40K and they said that the newer models have nicer trannys.

 

I feel like they are much wider. Cab wise the length is probably pretty close but it can seat 6 if need be.

 

Transmission failure at 40K, that sucks. Covered under warranty?

 

Yeah it was completely covered but it was definitely a surprise.

 

Not really a surprise, some think Japanese machines never break, my brother went through 4 transmissions in an Accura MDX.

 

Just curious, they got my 2nd gen for sale where i bought my new 2016....... Its a 2013 Base 5 speed 4 cylinder, I'm sure you could get them down to between 19-20 if that's in your range. Its certified thru Toyota too!!

http://www.daytoyota.com/2013-Toyota-Tacoma-Near-Pittsburgh/vd/30826188