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Bed size of 1st gen Tacoma vs later generations?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by DaxAllFolks, Dec 8, 2020.

  1. Dec 8, 2020 at 12:54 PM
    #1
    DaxAllFolks

    DaxAllFolks [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2020
    Member:
    #349016
    Messages:
    4
    Baja AZ
    Vehicle:
    1998 V6 PreRunner extened cab
    I have a 1998 PreRunner extended cab with a 74" bed. I have been looking for a tall, light weight (re aluminum but not molded fiberglass) camper or pop up camper that fits. So far - other than fiberglass shells like Leer or ARE - every other company I have found says they have mid size or large truck campers. Most specifically state Tacomas 2005+. (That's when Tacomas became mid-size right?) I want to be able to stand up in it or come close to it. (5'-5") I also do not want it already built out. I want to do that myself so all I want is a tall, reasonably lightweight camper that sits on the rails (not a slide in).

    Anyway, what is the difference in the bed sizes from 1st gen to later gens? So far the numbers I have found are all over the place so I'm not confident they are correct.

    Also, if any of you know of anyone who sells a camper like this please post a link.

    Edit to include the following:
    This is something like the kind of camper I am looking for but they don't seem to be currently available. (callencampers.com)
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2020
  2. Dec 8, 2020 at 1:47 PM
    #2
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2019
    Member:
    #285037
    Messages:
    19,644
    Vehicle:
    2000 reg cab 4x4 flatbed MT
  3. Dec 8, 2020 at 1:57 PM
    #3
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2012
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    #92402
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    6,455
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    California
    Vehicle:
    OtisBound Outdoors Bodonkadonk
    OtisBound Bodonkadonk
    Companies like Tradesman will custom build you a custom camper shell too.
     
    DaxAllFolks[OP] likes this.
  4. Dec 8, 2020 at 6:20 PM
    #4
    DaxAllFolks

    DaxAllFolks [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2020
    Member:
    #349016
    Messages:
    4
    Baja AZ
    Vehicle:
    1998 V6 PreRunner extened cab
    Thanks for the bed size link. Very useful. Interesting that the interior dims from 1st gen to later gens are very close but the exterior dims are quite a bit different especially on the width. I am wondering if some of the toppers that are made to fit later gens might fit a 1st gen.

    It appears the ARE DCUs do not have windows on the sides and are more of a contractor style.

    Tacoma bed sizes.jpg
     
  5. Dec 8, 2020 at 6:30 PM
    #5
    DaxAllFolks

    DaxAllFolks [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2020
    Member:
    #349016
    Messages:
    4
    Baja AZ
    Vehicle:
    1998 V6 PreRunner extened cab
    Thanks for the Tradesman tip. Their custom cab overs look solid.
     
    otis24[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Dec 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM
    #6
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2012
    Member:
    #92402
    Messages:
    6,455
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    California
    Vehicle:
    OtisBound Outdoors Bodonkadonk
    OtisBound Bodonkadonk
    Yeah, they’re pretty sweet.
    I think they’re way more dust proof than most too.
    Maybe someone who actually knows will chime in.
     
  7. Dec 8, 2020 at 7:50 PM
    #7
    chainslap

    chainslap Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2015
    Member:
    #158662
    Messages:
    199
    Gender:
    Male
    Prescott, AZ
    Vehicle:
    95.5 SR5 V6 5spd 4x4, 2020 Tundra TRD DC
    I had a ARE DCU shell made for a 2005+ on my 95 tacoma. It fit, but not well. Width wise the newer Tacoma tapers outwards towards the front and in the 95 each side stuck out about 2-3” in front but was even at the back. It was also slightly short in length so didn’t seal well. Not really sure what that was though...
     
    DaxAllFolks[OP] likes this.

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