1st vs 2nd vs 3rd Gen Size Comparison

I am a current 1st Generation Double Cab owner who someday hopes to own a 2nd or 3rd Gen Tacoma. I wish Toyota gave the option to buy a brand new 1st Gen again (especially for around $24,000!!) but unfortunately if you want the piece of mind that comes with owning a new Tacoma you have to roll with the changes. Due to the fact that Toyota has been ever increasing the size of what was once a compact truck I decided to take a closer look at the actual dimensions and create a side by side comparison of all three generations in regards to exterior dimensions and weight. This is a very basic chart I pulled from Toyota, Cars.com, and Edmunds. This thread is created simply as a reference and BS topic. Please let me know if you see anything wrong with the data I found or have anything else useful to add about the 3 generations.

 

Yeah, they're getting heavier and fatter as the years go by.

 

Me too....

 

Thanks for taking the time to compile this information and present it in an organized and easy to read manner.

 

Man I wish there was still such a thing as a compact pickup....

Despite my issues with it, my first gen is the perfect size. I've been at stop lights next to 3rd gens and they just seem too bulky. I live in an apartment which means parking in a cramped parkade; height and width are important factors for me.

 

Might be mistaken but wasn't the T-100 once considered full sized? Lol, you could fit one in the bed of some of these full size trucks today.

 

Exactly.

When I bought my '04 DC back in '06, I *specifically* wanted the 1st gen body style because of the size. Given the chance, I'd buy a brand new truck if it were still the size of a 1st gen, hell, even the size of a '95 IF I could...

If I wanted a full size truck, I'd buy a Tundra. Hell, the new Tacos are only a few inches short of the older Tundras...

But alas, they don't exist... So I'll just keep my 1st gen, and when I augment my fleet with a 4Runner (which will be like twice the size of my '86 4Runner), I'll build an overlander out of my taco.

 

That's why I love my 1st gen. It's the perfect size for driving in the city and hitting the trails. I don't tow anything and haul anything major. The size fits my needs perfectly.

 

If I am to ever step up in truck size, it'll be for a 1st gen Tundra.

 

My thoughts exactly. V8 with 4WD that's roughly the same size as the new Tacomas.

 

and don't forget when you add the lift & tires the gas mileage equals out

 

Great info! I've always been curious about this info but too lazy to do any research, thanks for posting.

 

Precisely. Perfect size for the trails and downtown parking garages (ugg) and home garage. 3rd Gen just too large; 1st Gen is the best Gen. Biased I suppose.

 

as said I wish they still made mini-truck sized pickups

 

Real trucks don't have four doors.

 

There are actually three different cab configurations for most pickup trucks. Two door regular cab, two or four door access/extended cabs and 4 door crew/double cab trucks.

 

I'd like to find a good clean T100. Those were cool.

I wouldn't mind the bloat so much, but I keep hearing that the build quality and reliabilty just isn't there any more. Maybe an urban legend but I doubt it.

What's the purpose of this creeping increase in size? Everything's getting bigger - an F150 looks like a freakin Mack truck. Where is the market demand to haul around more metal? They claim to need to keep weight down (thus plastic everthing) then wrap it in 500 more pounds of sheet metal.

 

Amen brother!

 

Well, you could technically and still be in a Tacoma. The 3rd gen Tacoma is almost exactly the same size as a first gen Tundra.

2017 Tacoma: 212-226″ L x 74-75″ W x 71-72″ H

2000 Tundra 218″ L x 75-79″ W x 71-72″

 

You sound like the type of person that will say only Harleys are "real" bikes..