Short or Long Bed?

So I've been away from the TW Forum for quite some time and am sorry for missing out on all the good chatter. I've had an 08 and a 12 Tacoma. I'm now looking for some input on the new Gen 3, 2016 Taco. From reading various posts and reading reviews, including Motor Weeks, this seems to be quite a new and improved vehicle and am looking forward to my purchase. In the past I've gone with the Long Bed version and the TRD Sport 4X4 model. Maybe the SR 5 would do me just fine but I really think what you get with the TRD Sport package is worth it. Thoughts?

This time I am leaning toward the Short Bed. My personal opinion is that the Taco just looks a little off with the Short Bed for some reason. I don't really have a need for the LB as I don't usually haul stuff or use it for work etc. I am trying to get over the appearance of the SB and hopefully some of you have an opinion on that. People with the SB have you any thoughts, likes or dislikes about it?

Thanks in advance...
Howard

 

Short bed! I went though the same thing when it came time for me to get my taco!

-Easier to drive/park
-shorter wheel base is better for offroad. (My main deciding choice. my truck is an adventure truck rather than a work truck)
-Looks better IMO (LB looks very nice with a lift though)
-Cheaper by a few bucks and heavier by a few pounds (barley anything)
-If bed space is very important i would go to a 1500 size truck and get an actual bed.
- I have a short bed. haha

these are just my opinions. I don't wanna get flogged by some long bed lover out there. lol

 

I absolutely love my DCLB Sport Pkg. I do haul stuff, so LB is a no brainer to me. As for looks, its whatever floats yer boat. The short beds look stubby to me, long beds just right. WHatever works for you is "best".

 

I think the lines flow better on the long bed. With the short bed, the rear wheels just look to close to the cab and you get a funky gap when looking at the bed from front to back. Besides, I'd rather have empty space back there then not enough space.
It sounds like you have a long bed now so unless you have problems with the length of your present truck I think its a no brainer.

 

I just sold my 2011 Nissan Frontier double cab, short bed. It was fine but I'm liking my new taco access cab , LB. just never seemed to use back seat in the Nissan, so I thought I'd try the access style. Now regarding trim level. Don't, I repeat don't do what I did because it's costed me big bucks. I got the SR5, 4x4 and there's nothing wrong with that and I like it....but I've made so many changes and still not done. The truck by next week will look just like a stock TRD Off Road. The moral of the story is, I should have just bought a TRD , would have been cheaper...my two cents

 

lolo@-"long bed lover out there"
Not really a lover, it's a matter of purpose and practicality Ha-ha!
Why not get a jeep for serious off-roading instead of a truck?
It’s got a shorter wheel base and is narrower to get thru tighter areas. And at the end of the day just rinse off the inside with a hose.
Made for the US Army just for that scouting purpose.
I wouldn’t use a 4R either, it’s gotten too big & fat. Too many ppl complaining to Toyota how “small” it was.
Fat lord asses! Why couldn't they just buy a Sequoia instead of screwing it up for the rest! Grrrr….
Stay safe out there
Cheers!

 

Seriously, if you don't need the L/B for payload and just want a great reliable vehicle, just Do It with the S/B.
I don't haul much/often, but when I do, I do it in style with the L/B.
As for TRD or SR5 it depends....Are you going to change expensive items such as tires & rims? Well then go with the SR5.
Are you happy with the TRD stock setup to not change much? Go with the TRD.
Both trims will take you almost anywhere stock 4X4. The TRD is more toys, glimmer, and whistles (which I like) which for the money is a great deal.
I just couldn't find one in storm trooper L/B trim plus I liked the tire/wheel setup they had on the TSS pkg instead of the TRD. But it's all good!
Cheers!

 

I think most people will be just fine and happy with the SB.... which is why they sell more of them. If you don't see the need for the LB, then get the SB. It'll be more of a joy for daily driving duties.

All my opinion. I bought the SR5 and am quite happy with it, but I do wonder if I should have gotten the TRD Offroad. I do think the TRD Offroad has some benefits with the E-Locker and Offroad driving modes, but if you aren't seriously going to offroad the truck, it's probably a waste. If you are going to get super serious about offroading, you are probably going to stick in some air lockers and then you'll need the axles in the SR5. So which? Either..

I don't really have interest in the Sport, but it does come with some cool gadgets. The Limited is too expensive for a truck that doesn't come with power seats.... and I don't like the look of the wagon wheels it has.

 

Bed length is not just a payload question. You can cap it and sleep in long bed. Short bed not so much. If you are looking to get an adventure truck, then it is a consideration. Especially so in a bear country.

 

I see too many pictures on this forum with things hanging out the back of short beds to often. I know the long bed is not that much longer but I can lay 8' lumber on my tailgate with nothing sticking out. Hell, 6' beds used to be considered short beds not that long ago.

 

Short bed with a shell, there is no better looking combination IMO

 

I've had both a sb and a lb. the look and function of the long bed was a no brainer for me. I looked at the different packages also and came to the conclusion that I wanted the extra add ons since I would have been spending over 30k for the same truck in a lower trim. I'm planning on keeping the truck so the added lux items on the tech package were an easy sell for me. Good luck on your desicion op.

 

The long bed only weighs 60 lbs more than the short bed. You can check the specs on the Toyota website.

 

Some people want reliable vehicles that will last a while. The JK is great at first, but long time durability is questionable at best. I'd love to get a TJ though. Those straight 6's are rock solid, and you can get a decent one for under $10k. If I ever get more serious about off-roading that's exactly what I would get to build.

The Tacoma gives a lot of good usability and it's a very reliable platform. For a new vehicle around $32k you're hard pressed to find something that can do what it can. It meets all my needs, has reputation for reliability, and it has a manual transmission

4Runner is a great vehicle too, but the 16 Tacoma feels newer and rides a lot better. Once they update the 4Runner I would say it will be worth the $6k-8k premium over a Tacoma, but until then I'd go with Tacoma.

 

LB for me. I just sold my 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 3/4ton quad cab with a standard 8' bed. The Toyota Long bed is a small bed in my world view, lol.

I hunt, camp, haul crap from the lumber yard, haul mulch, stone, gravel- I need the long box. I'm hoping the step down in size of truck doesn't grate on my nerves. We'll see.

 

I got a SB as a LB would not fit in the garage. Otherwise would have been a bit longer.

 

Access Cab. Be a loner, be a rebel.

 

Sounds like you don't need a long bed as you stated yourself, so there's your answer n that detail.

WRT getting a 3rd gen: If you've already owned 2 second gens, you may be disappointed by the engine/tranny combo. I highly recommend you read the many threads on here of people's experiences with not only this new drivetrain, but also other annoying issues that have come up for some owners. Seems like a lot of teething problems.

And I highly recommend taking several long test drives to formulate your own impression against your 2nd gen experience..

You might be happier with a used late model 2nd gen.

 

Honestly that's exactly what I'd buy if I actually wanted to use the bed for hauling anything of substantial length. But even that is still way down on the list behind a Tundra double cab.

 

Did I really just read this... Hammer is a s/b lover hahaha