Well, my 1993 Toyota 4x4 XtraCab is just a bit too small with the growing family, so I've pretty much settled on a 2004 or 2005 Tundra to supplement (my '93 is a keeper). I'd really like the double cab as a matter of family convenience, but like the proportions of the accesscab better (longer bed perhaps?). So I have a few questions:

- what's your experience with children with and without carseats with the access cab?

- gas mileage of access cab vs. double cab?

- Is there much engine power-loss (due to greater weight) of double cab?

- I'd prefer a manual trans, but doesn't appear to have been an option with the v8 (only offered with the v6). Anyone heard of such a critter?

- Other thoughts?

Thanks,
Will

 

- what's your experience with children with and without carseats with the access cab?
Access cab room with carseats and younger children is fine, my kids are now 12 and 14...tall enough to complain about longer trips....and remind me constantly how much legroom they have in their uncles DC

- gas mileage of access cab vs. double cab?
My 03(AC) and my brother in laws 06(DC), get similar mileage, his gets slightly better on the highway...probably due to the extra gear in the trans and maybe the 4.10s versus the 3.91s in mine. As I understand it the 04 DC gets the worst mileage of the bunch.


- Is there much engine power-loss (due to greater weight) of double cab?
The DC from 05 to 06 have enough extra HP to spank my 03 access cab.
The 04 DC has the same engine and trans as the 03, no VVTi like the 05-06, so it's slower and gets worse mileage.

- I'd prefer a manual trans, but doesn't appear to have been an option with the v8 (only offered with the v6). Anyone heard of such a critter?
V8 is auto only, I have seen the V6 with a stick.

- Other thoughts?
If I were buying one today, I'd get an 05 or 06 Double Cab, more power, same mileage, kids stop complaining. Although I do love my Access Cab and it will take an act of God to make me get rid of it! if it came to that I'd get a DC until the kids move out.

Did I miss anything? Oh, yeah, bed length is within an inch or so, the DC is deeper at the bedrail, but length is very close to the same