Access Cab or Double Cab?

Hi guys,
I've been debating what I should get for a 1st Gen Tundra truck. Right now I'm waiting on a close friend of mine that's a dealer to go through the 2005 AC SR5 Tundra. They just did the front end ball-joints, the secondary air pump for the cats and they will be replacing the radiator. The frame has been replaced by Toyota as part of the recall and the body and undercarriage looks good.

However I really feel that the Access Cab is so small and the seats back there are pretty much useless. After driving a Ford F150 Crew cab which feels like a "tiny house", the access cab of the Tundra feels like a bread box back there.

The other issue, which is more of a problem for me is I'm discovering the quad cab model on the Tundra, since it's built off the Sequoia, there seems to be a lot more products available for it when it comes to upgrade accessories. The headlights were the first thing I noticed was different from the AC vs the quad cab model. There seems to be more than just this but that was the first thing I noticed.

The quad cab models also have a lot of accessories that would be really nice to have...like the power rear window and a sun roof on certain trim packages. Leather seats isn't a bad thing either....but here is the real problem I have with the AC model and I guess some of the quad cab models.

In my truck I need to install a full length communications console that holds radio communications, emergency lighting switches, siren and other related equipment for public safety work. This console can only be installed with the captain/bucket seats, not the 60/40 split bench.

So do you guys know of any bucket/captains seats (maybe from the Sequoia?) that would fit into a AC model?? I have seen that some of the quad cab models also have the bench seat as well. So even if I was to find a quad cab model, if it had the bench seat I have to ditch it for bucket/captain's seats for sure.

Oh keep in mind, the photos of the truck were taken before the vehicle was purchased by my dealer friend. So there have been a lot cleaned up since these photos were taken. For example, the dark areas on the underside of the bed is dirt not rust.

Please let me know your thoughts on all of this.
Thank you guys!
C

 

Do you have kids or plan to haul passengers often? If so, Double Cab. If not, nothing wrong with an access cab.

The one you posted pictures of has a concerning undercarriage. Hard to tell from one blurry and dark picture but it doesn't look good. Frame rot is the number one killer for these trucks.

 

Well I don't have kids but there is a lot more room in the double cab than the access cab and since I plan on keeping the truck for a long time, I want to make sure I don't make a big mistake with the size of the truck.

The undercarriage photo does "look" not great but the dark spots on the underside of the bed is dirt not rust. The frame, as I had mentioned is a new frame from Toyota. There is a little surface rust of the differential but they are going to go over all of that and clean it up and look for any other problem areas.

 

ACs also come with captain's seats. I have one. Seems to me you're talking yourself into a DC. They also come with captain's seats. I would avoid the one in the pictures. The frame may have been replaced, but if so, what else is compromised? I see lifting blocks on the rear leafs with less than desirable Rough Country suspension. What's on the front? Spacers? No bueno if so. Timing belt? LBJs? How many miles? Age of these items?

 

That's some pretty substantial body rust, and rear axle housing rust. I can only imagine what the rest is like. I wouldn't buy the pictured truck unless it was $4k or less. I can only hope they knew you MUST use OEM lower ball joints on these trucks, else you'll be spending $250-350 on new parts. Yes, I'm serious. No, this is not a joke. Yes, people choose to ignore it. Yes, we have a 15-20 page thread full of pictures of people with snapped lower balljoints because they were too fucking stupid to listen.

I can also see someone has run a bypass or similar on the truck, noting the bundle of purple wire. And they did it shittly, it would appear. I can only imagine the other nest-of-shit you're going to find if they thought that was OK to fly.

You're going to be pinched for space on the access cab based on your needs. But don't let the seats phase you, because access cab has leather captains, factory, also. My truck has them.

tl;dr - You should probably get a DC, and I suspect you're about to get screwed on the pictured truck if you buy it. Don't care how good of a "friend" you're dealing with. If they don't specialize in 1st gen tundras, and know all the stupid little quirks and gotchas associated folks on this frum know, you may trust them on everything else, but I'd feel like an asshole if I didnt' warn you not to trust on this one. Unless the buy-in price is less under $4k, because you probably have about $4k in work you'll need to put into it, after all he's done, and that doesn't include the body work, and problems with the frame (which is already rotting) and fasteners you'll be dealing with due to years of rust prevention neglect.

 

I love my access cab but due to life changes I wish I would have purchased a Double Cab. DC's also have features I would like. They are more desirable so they cost more.

 

Double cab, I had a 2005 DC for 10 years.
I still miss it sometimes...

Double cab has the rear roll-down window, which is enough to want one..

Welcome to the forum.

 

Whether you go AC or DC, don't get THAT truck without fully checking it out.

AC - replacement parts and aftermarket parts a little easier to get. Smaller rear cab. Shallower but slightly longer bed.
DC - Front end has more in common with a Sequoia, so stuff like lights etc pretty easy to get. Bed covers not so easy, but they are available. The bed is also taller, which makes reaching over the side more or a PITA for me.

They also have somewhat different 'looks'. That's pure preference or it doesn't matter at all to you.

For me, it was which would I use more? The slightly longer bed, or the back seats?

Oh, and the power rear rolldown window on the DC is pretty nice, but does make mounting a rear dashcam a challenge that I haven't got round to finding an acceptable solution to yet.

 

I totally agree with FirstGenVol about if you have kids or passengers, get a double cab. I’m a single guy and love my AC. Well after i bought my 2004 AC, i found that the wiring and other doodads are MUCH more complicated on the DC Trucks. I feel very fortunate that my truck doesn’t have any of those complexities, but my truck is a work truck and not a status symbol. As long as any of my vehicles have cruise control, air conditioning, and AM/FM/CD player, then i’m totally satisfied

 

Thye beat me to it...
You may already know, but the DC being 12" longer wheelbase and OA, adds a challenge parking/driving suburbs-city [continually decreasing stall widths or depth] depending on where you live... its also 5" wider and 4" taller.
Also turn circle 2.5' larger...
somewhere here at Tundras.com [likely @Shifty built 'so you wanna buy a FGT' thread, there is a download for the 06 Tundra Sales Brochure. 1.28mb.
It has all config's of Tundra w/specs tabled to make comparisons...

Also, Go here:
https://account.toyota.com/api/UI/Login?

create account and input any Tundra VIN and you'll get a composite of that truck as it left factory + any 'ToyotaService Records' history. Great shopping tool [along w/CARFAX]...

Id say good luck!, but your final purchase should be based on much, much more.

 

wow thanks guys! Lots of great information here. Since my luck shopping with private sellers has been a nightmare...with the first inquiry on a truck leading to getting the FBI involve and the second purchase of a truck being nightmare, a dishonest seller with a truck with hidden frame rot issues so bad the truck can't be registered because it won't pass inspection I don't think I want a Tundra now...or any vehicle of this age.

After reading Shifty's post that is enough to not want a Tundra at all. Thanks man for helping me avoid the Tundra. I honestly do appreciate your knowledge.

I'm going to look into a nice Yamaha golf cart.
Thanks you guys for your efforts and time on this post Very very disappointing and depressing.
C

 

Don't lose hope. There are good ones out there. Be patient. You might need to travel to another state to find one in a no rust condition, but they're out there. Know this though: 20+ year old Tundras require maintenance. They're super solid if well maintained, and if you don't do your own work they can feel like a money pit.

 

You didn't mention prices, but unfortunately, if you are looking for a 20 year old tundra in the same price range as a 20 year old other brand, you're going to see nothing but sheds.
A decent DC that is clean, sub 200k and had the required maintenance is these days going to get the seller 10k and up, depending on location. However, it's going to last much longer than comparably aged vehicles

 

Well stated @Fragman...

@soup-n-sandwich:
No prob, but it shouldnt 'deprees" you...these FGT trucks are proven to be reliable and very rebuildable, ressurectable, etc [ its why a cared for FGT will be higher asking$ and likely more so than other builders of that era], and there are good & bad deals on all vehicles for sale out there. Point being you just need to know the truck and the market.
Not much different for a used 'Yamaha golf cart' either.

yep...you just got off on the wrong foot with not so reliable consults...

I looked for 5 mo's [about 8 FGTs] before i found one 500 mi's fr/home in Central Vly area of CA. And it was in a janky 'USED' car lot in 'tiny-town USA', BUT they provided enuf pics that I rented a car, took a 2 day look and test-drive before buying. Yes, the car rental and motel set me back another $500. I also set a budget max + what i knew I'd put into minor rebuilds of suspension, motor, brakes etc...and didnt need any immediately before driving a while [drove 1k mi's after new tires]. As it turned out, this truck is like new, for being 19 yrs old and I avoided the 'New Truck Loan' reality.
*Disclaimer: I didnt expect to find much under $7500 [5/2024] worth the effort but they do exist, if I wanted to extend my search another 6 mo's. So, your tolerance for performance/cosmetics maybe be higher-lower? Your decision...
Not trying to 'sell you', but if you're not sure on this kind of truck or its costs, get your education here and chk the references posted above as well 1st before looking at anything...

 

I dunno, for the right golf cart, I may be tempted to trade for my 1st gen. Especially if said golf cart was being towed by a 1962-1970 Impala 4dr that's generally rot-free.

 

Same here, but it would have to be a 'by-the-numbers' resto of a '69 RallySport Camaro' WITH 1 year CountryClub membership....

 

500 miles?…A 5 day leisurely bicycle ride with a tent strapped aboard would make for a lower budget trip. A bit too adventurous for some, but it would definitely be memorable.

 

@whodatschrome, was actually 400mi's but what can I say?...was between need and want due to bigger boat, but my FGTacoma wasnt gonna cut it. I REALLY liked that little rig as well.