Why are access cabs so hard to find?

Yeah, kinda agree. Most of my post was teasing/joking, though there is an obvious shift. I just dont get why in the past, trends shift here, shift there... all the configurations are still available. There is something afoot. I can feel it.

 

We actually do have a minivan already. Great for on-road trips, no doubt. Have you been out to Moab? Central Utah? Four corners? A minivan won't make it.



But honestly, if there was a modern day equivalent of this van, I would sell the Tacoma and buy it.



Let's be clear, here, though. Toyota branding the Tacoma as a lifestyle truck wasn't entirely that the market dictated it. It's partly their fault. Look, in 1995, when the Tacoma officially debuted, the Ranger, which I would consider more of a work truck than the Tacoma, was still the top dog in midsize market. Even when Toyota introduced the doublecab in 2001, Ranger sales was still on top. So there was a market for midsize, super macho, lone ranger trucks. What changed? Well, fullsize trucks just got better. Similar price, similar MPG, BETTER towing, and hauling capacity. Why would a company shell out $ on a little midsize when they could get better performance for the money on a fullsize? Go get a Ram tradesman or F150 XL for the same price as a midsize truck. Now you're left with soft familymen urban cowboys who buy 4-door trucks to impress people.

 

I remember as a young kid with his drivers license, wished a I had a first gen Tacoma 4 door. I couldn’t afford that back then. But holy shit that would have been perfect for the road trips. As an adult, I have made peace with the fact that I don’t want anyone in my truck. I like the access cab, a lot. But I wish I could have had the choice of a regular cab. The 2nd gen 4cyl 4x4 manual trd owned by a coworker... when I see that wheelbase, I get lost in a daydream.

 

Yeah I spent some time all through there when I crossed over the country. Last time I’ve been though. That VW is the shit right there, and a full-size is too big for off road agility. In fact, all these trucks have grown, the Tacoma now is damn near too big, but I’ll manage, because it’s the smallest Toyota I can get new. But certainly the sizes of modern full size trucks, dude. I’m not taking those fuckers in trails. They don’t belong there.

 

Yeah, I've had too many pinstriping through the deserts in a fullsize. And I'll probably get that in the Tacoma as well. I had a chance to buy a new 1st Gen regular cab back in the day. I regret not going through with it, because it'd be a perfect solo or +1 trip vehicle. Love this guy's build:

(2.7L!! gasp)


By the way, we've got the same size trucks.

 

Indeed we do.

 

I also wonder if buyers who buy AC vs DC use the trucks any differently? I see them both loaded up with dirt bikes, kayaks, tents, etc. I've yet to see a picture of one here loaded up with bales of hay, yard of mulch (although I do that every year), or on job sites. Seems like not much difference in usage to me.

One thing to realize, for the AC folks here. The massive success of DC trucks benefits you as well. All the $ Toyota is making off of them, especially the upper trim, helps subsidize the lower trim and lower volume trucks. If no DC, AC prices would be higher.

 

I put a deposit down on an mgm 18 v6 ac w/ tech and (ac) premium. Didn't need the premium but the nearest ac w/ only tech is 800 miles away + it has a bunch of dealer addon crap.

I like the ac because it is the same length as my bro's dcsb and I can use the longer bed for sleeping during hunting trips and hauling livestock feed. Will probably only use the back seats to store my hunting rifle and pack so it is locked up but can also carry ppl in the back if im forced to by scooting the front seats forward a bit.

That said, I'm not a double cab hater as I can see they are useful and you can always drop the tailgate down to sleep in the bed in a pinch.

 

Not a seven foot bed but Toyota did make a Tacoma regular cab V6 4x4's with the 6 foot bed.

 

True, which is why I bought the 2017 in December instead of waiting for June '18.

I did the utility package because my 6'3" son, 6'0" daughter and 6'2" son wont fit in the back seats anyway and we have a Sienna van for all of us

 

This is kind of a stupid response. If you think I'd take a minivan on some of the trails and stuff that I go on when camping, you're insane. I also cannot load a fridge in a minivan. I know, I saw someone trying to do that at Lowes this last weekend when I was picking up a new freezer. It didn't work very well. I do need a truck. But I need that truck to be able to hold 4 people.

 

Good call Bro. Fives in the air.

 

No I agree, it’s a totally stupid response.

 

Uhaul would like to rent you a pickup.

 

I don't think they would. It would also make my frequent camping and offroad travel quite expensive and would cost more than my monthly payment. Plus they don't rent any that can seat 4.

 

That is what I told myself so in 2 weeks I'll have to when my sandstorm rocket ship comes in.

 

I too had a hard time finding a new 2016 Access Cab Sport. I wanted the rarest rear wheel drive version. Searched for an inferno from September 2015 until xmas. Gave up and found a blue one 4 hours away in another state. These were very hard to find though there were plenty of SR5 Access 4 x 4 and all models of double cabs readily available. Still see mostly double cab Sports and OffRoads in my area.

 

Nice 4runner wheels!

 

Awfully early to find a 3rd gen used unless someone dumped one because they hated the transmission. Also, A.C. owners probably actually need a truck for utility more than 4 door owner who might have been happy to trade for an SUV or car.

 

Love my AC, coming from jeeps I wanted something that felt compact. Plus I'm single...so I don't have any people to fill the back seats haha. I feel its more practical on trails..idk. Just gave me a reason to post a pic!