Trading in for a short bed??? How do longbed owners feel about them?

I currently own a 08’ V6 Tacoma with a bel air shell and about 225k miles. It’s in great shape, and I love the set up, but it’s definitely overkill. I paid more than I would have liked, and between that and the excessiveness of the car, have contemplated selling it while the market is great to sell. I have an opportunity to get a 4 door 1st gen (which is my favorite gen) but am mostly worried about the short bed. It would cost me about 1/4 of what the same car is going for online right now, but the biggest tragedy is it’s a short bed. I’m an avid surfer and occasionally sleep in the bed, but have found myself home bound and surfing less with school.

What are long bed lovers opinions of the short bed? I’m not keen on it, but putting 15k back in the bank may be worth using a bed extender and getting the tent out again. What do you guys think?

 

IMO even the long bed is marginal, especially since these beds are fairly shallow. I use my 2009 access cab long bed for DD, road trips, and some work at the farm. I have a lockable tonneau cover (and electric tailgate lock) for road trips and with the two of us and the dog the bed is literally packed full of gear. A short bed would never hold it for even the two of us... I have no idea how a crew cab with 4 people fits their luggage and toys. Plus I have a kayak that I load in there once in awhile that barely works with the long bed. Short bed would be a non starter for that. I never understood the whole short bed thing, except some folks think it looks cool or whatever. But it is at best a bad compromise and at worst useless. IMO. I say don't do it but to really comes down to your own use profile.

 

appreciate the feedback. I dream of an 8ft bed, but figure it could be fun to see how I like the function of the 4door short bed before I write them off forever. (Also money, of course)

 

I can fit everything me and the wife will ever need in my short bed. shoot me a DM and I can send you some pics of how I pack it. Ive taken 4 of us camping for almost a week in my truck without feeling like we were missing anything and I do have the option of taking my long bed GMC. Also, roof racks are a simple fix for surf boards if its your style

 

The bed is already small as it is. A shortbed would not work for our lifestyle. Sometimes I find myself wanting a manual transmission, but that would be the only reason. GL with whatever you decide.

 

1 foot makes no difference really, unless you plan on sleeping in the box.

I can do everything with my 5ft box that I did with my 6ft.

 

There really shouldn't be anything to figure out or be any surprises. You know how you use your truck now so, if that will fit in a 5 foot bed, great. If not you know that you'll need an extender for some stuff... really for just about anything.

 

I've had trucks with 5', 6', 6.5', 7' and 8' beds. If you can't find a way to make it fit in a 5' bed then you need an 8' bed or a trailer. I don't have any issues carrying a 10' Kayak or 10' lumber with my 5' bed. With a hitch mounted bed extender 12' is possible. Anything longer than 12' and even an 8' bed is pushing it and you need a rack or trailer.

When I moved from a 1/2 ton to a Tacoma the 1st thing I did was buy a 10'X6' utility trailer. You ain't gonna put much in the bed of a Tacoma regardless of bed length. Not enough width, depth, or payload regardless of length. If I need to haul much of anything I take the trailer. It holds more volume and weight than I could put in the bed of a 3/4 ton with an 8' bed. It is easier to load/unload and the Tacoma pulls it easily. I don't beat up the bed with firewood or rocks either.

 

Personally I dont like shortbeds but thats partially because I have a 14 inch deep truckbox which shrinks my usable bed area down to approx 5 foot. If you want to see if you need that space you could make a wood box that takes up 1 foot of space, leave it in the bed for a month or so and you can see if a 5 foot bed would work for you

 

I agree, only longbed feature I desire would be the ability to sleep back there when backwoods camping.
With my shortbed, I carry motorcycles and small atvs. A longbed may enable me to shut the tailgate when bikes are loaded up, but prolly not the atv.

4-doors are a must for me, Manual trans trumps 6ft box.

OP, ability to get your favourite Gen and put cash in pocket? DO it!!! Opportunity is knockin’ You’ll find a way to haul a surfboard I’m sure.

 

Yep, manual is more important than long bed for me as well.

One of my crazy loads hah, lady said no way I’ll be able to fit all that in my box. The red tape was just in case, I had 3 straps going and everything was very secure. I never lost anything from my box.

 

I went from a 2003 DC Tacoma 4WD to the current 2005 DCLB Tacoma 4WD. As much as I still like the look of the 1st gen, it is too cramped to even consider it especially with a family. There are much too much positives in the 2nd gen to give up. More powerful V6, no rust composite bed, more interior cab room, and a 6ft bed. The smaller interior and short bed would be major negatives for me, especially if you do alot of hauling, camping , etc.. There's nothing easier and more secure to haul a load than simply closing a tailgate.

Edit: By looking at your avatar, did you already made your decision with a 2004 ?

 

Long beds too ugly for me

 

<<-----I gotta have a 6' bed for diagonal sleeping

 

thats my first tacoma ); I wish I never had to sell that one but I needed a van to travel around in. I still think about reaching out to the owner to get it back.

 

Everyone's needs are different. Buy a vehicle to suit your needs.
That said, I think DCSBs are open air station wagons. A previous post states "it's only a foot". That's true, but you've only got 6' to begin with. The extended cab PreRunner I have is good for my extended off road trips. It would be too long for a real 4x4 type offroading. On the other hand, the 6' bed with a shell provides dry, comfortable camping in nearly any conditions.

 

If it's your favorite gen model of Tacomas along with putting $15k in the bank, I say go for it. I will always agree with having a paid off vehicle with a good size emergency/play fund. Give me $15k and a hacksaw and tell me how much you want me to hack off my bed.

 

Just say NO to short beds

 

do it, buy a trailer, and still put 13+ k in the bank.

 

Longbeds don't come in manual.

ACLB vs DCSB is a hard choice
4L V6 4x4 MT