Suggestions: Double Cab or Access Cab

I have an 2002 Extended Cab. No rear door like the later access cab. With just the wife and I the need for the rear seats didn't really matter and the long bed was nice. I've since decided that the double cab would have been a better fit. Without the extra seating you need to have someone else drive if you are going places with more than two people or take two trucks. I like to drive because I have all my stuff with me. Next truck will be a double cab for sure.

 

DBL Cab. I never missed the extra foot on the bed, just leave the tail gate down. Go big or go home.

 

Last year I was looking for an AC when my wife fell in love with the DCLB...Red, of course. I wish I would have driven the AC because while the extra seating room is nice the 6ft bed was required and it often feels like I'm trying to turn the Queen Mary in parking lots.

So? Drive them both! If possible you have a friend or TW brother in the neighborhood that can give you an extended visit that would be a bonus. Drive everywhere you normally go, especially parking lots. It's amazing how small some of them are but never noticed in your Bimmer.

(The back seats Will come in handy when the Grandbabies come to visit though)

 

After driving a Wrangler for 10 years, I decided it was time to upgrade. I went in with the intention of buying a DC until I got inside of an AC. My concern was to have room for my dogs. The AC met that requirement. The dealer having exactly what I wanted on their lot sealed the deal.
I'm very happy. I wouldn't change my decision.

 

Went from an 08 AC to a 15 DCSB. Big upgrade.

I've had friends that had to ride on the jumps seats on the AC, it's a no-go. There only good for short rides. As for the bed length, yes the AC has a 6' foot bed length, but if you ain't hauling things majority of time then the DCSB is for you.

 

If I were getting my dogs in and out of my Tacoma all the time, I would have preferred the DC. However, my Taco is mostly a commuter and usually only me, so I really love my AC. I wish they still had the regular cab option, but oh, well.

Go big or go home. Get the DC with the V6

 

Yep - Yep and Yep - dealer didn't have exactly what I wanted on the lot, but, he got it!

 

More is generally better. Especially in the Tacoma's case, as it never really gets too big. DCLB and don't think twice about it.

 

I had a 2012 AC 2.7. The AC had a "lot more" wind noise than my 2015 DCSB. I believe that it was from the suicide doors. Other than that it was a great truck. I wanted more power and the ability to carry my granddaughters around so I went with the V6 DCSB this time. I chose the short bed so that it would fit in my garage and I did not like the turning radius of the long bed. You have a lot to consider. Happy Motoring!

 

The most important thing to consider is what will be the primary duty of your truck. Are you going to need lots of interior storage space? Are you going to need a 6ft bed? Are you going to routinely transport more than one passenger?

Then look at both trucks (in fact all three AC,DCBLB,DCBSB). I have an access cab and I'm most pleased it fits my needs perfectly. My Taco is my daily driver and my adventuring truck I've got front fork mount for my mountain bike. The storage space in the back is useful if you are an efficient packet\tool selector. I've got two 20ft 2,000lb test chains a come-a-long various tools, a bicycle helmet, several towels, a crap load of gatorade, a few days clothes, a sleeping bag and few other items fitting just fine in my cab behind the seats I almost forgot my bikes front wheel fits just fine in the back of the cab when ever I've got my bike in transport.

Now clearly the double cab would allow you to carry even more stuff inside the cab. The biggest trade off is if you get the short bed and of course the increased wheel base. I'd also look at the access cabs suicide doors some people find these irritating others do not.

Now let's say that you plan on routinely using your Taco for camping hiking biking(or as I call it adventuring) but you will routinely do this with two more people. Well things might get cramped.

Think about your intended regular use also take into consideration if owning the Taco will allow you to eneter into a hobby and consider the requirements that will place on the truck you select.

Really put some thought into this you don't want to drop 28K+ on a Taco only to wish six months later that you had bought a different trim.

As a final note personally I'd advise which ever trim you pick to go with the 4.0L V6. if you do choose the AC be sure if you get the 2.7L I4 that you are OK with the lower power output. As has already been said I would not buy a double cab in 2.7L.

 

When I was younger, I used to 'wheel all over Southern California. I had a 94 standard cab V6 4x4 and LOVED it. Even as a stocker, it went anywhere, super durable, plenty of get-up-and-go, and it looked great doing it. Replaced the solid rear window with a slider and used that slider all the time. No storage to speak of, though.

Fast forward 20 years and wife, two kids and a dog, suburban home and office commute, and the DCSB made the most sense for me. Enough interior room to transport grown-ups, plenty of storage, (short) bed for hauling when it is occasionally needed, and a capable vehicle for towing the family camper. Before buying the DCSB earlier this year I climbed into an AC and acknowledged that the kids would outgrow it in a year or two and I couldn't really ask adults to ride back there.

Love the look of the AC and would have preferred the longer bed, but given our situation the DCSB made the most sense (and the DCLB would not have fit in our garage).

Good luck with your decision!

 

Only reason i went for a an Access cab was due to the bed length. I had to have a manual trans and the 73 inch bed. If Toyota offered the DCLB with a manual i'd be driving that.

 

FWIW back in 07 I bought a TRD OR DCSB but only keep it a few months. Just didn't dig the DC and the auto tranny. I love my current 14 AC 6sp. Sure the room in back hauling people/kids around is limited, but I just like the look much better and having the 6ft bed works out better for me hauling my dirt bike.

 

I went with access cab because I'd rather have the 6ft bed, and I rarely ever drive more than one person around.... I don't use my bed a ton, but 1-2 times a month I'm moving something, and I'd rather have the extra space in the event that I need it.... I also plan on moving about 1-3 times during the life of my Truck, so having the full bed will make that easier too...

If you ever do plan on moving people around though, go with the Double Cab, Those access cab seats are atrocious and have no leg space... I like to tell people I can drive 2 and 2 halves people...

 

Double cab long bed if you don't plan on heavy off-road use.

 

DCLB all the way

 

Can't ever have too much room. Cab or box.

 

DCSB. You will enjoy the cabin space even if you don't need it. Plus makes moving friends much more practical. I fit my Honda Rancher ATV in the bed with the tailgate down with no issue so space isn't much of an issue on the outside or inside.

 

Everyone keeps saying DCSB is more practical but that's only if you use your truck as an SUV for hauling people around. If you actually haul things the 5ft bed is kinda a joke, I mean I can't even fit a pair of skis in the 5ft bed. I have an access cab but it's because I actually haul things in it. If a DCSB would've fit my needs I'd have bought a 4 Runner.

DCLB is just too long for me, I don't really think the width and length look proportional. I'd go full size at that point. But I also wheel my truck so I didn't want the trail limo.

 

I have a DCSB. Unless you need to haul long things, the short box is great. I thought the size would be comparable to a 4Runner until I compared them. With a canopy on the short box Tacoma the cargo room is significantly more than a 4Runner and the cargo is isolated from the passenger compartment.

The only times I've missed the long box has been hauling motorcycles that would probably still need the tailgate down on a 6 foot bed any ways.