Size 1st Gen vs 2nd Gen????

I am just starting to look into buying a older 2005-2009 Tundra for myself. I want something bigger than a Tacoma (for rear leg room), but I really don’t need a “full” size truck as I live in a pretty urban area and will not tow much. That is why I am looking at a 1st Gen hard. But this is where my confusion on size starts.

When I look it up the 1st Gen double cab, it lists it at 230” long and about 80” wide.

When I look at the 2nd Gen access cab or crew cab, they list the length at 228” and about 80” wide.

What am I missing here? The 2nd Gen seems huge vs the 1st Gen, but the numbers say they are about the same.

 

The Length and width wouldn't be that different. I could see that. I think the 2nd Gen just has an overall bigger cab, and sits higher. Even before I put suspension lift on my 08, it towered over my mom's 05 dbl cab. Can't go wrong either way

 

How tall are you? I’m 6ft and comfortable in my 2002 ac

 

No way 1st and 2nd gens are the same dimensions. Search more, I’m sure one of those are wrong.

 

I read somewhere that the 1st Gen Tundra is only 2 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the Tacoma. I think I read it somewhere on here.

 

It's possible for the 2nd gen AC to be about the length of a 1st gen DC. And the crewmax just cuts length out of the bed to keep the length reasonable. Another spec to look at is height and weight. I bet the difference is a bit more there.

 

Depends on which generation and model Tacoma

 

As I recall, the 1st gen double cab gets a 6 ft bed. 2nd gen might have a 5 ft bed depending on model

 

Gen 2, I think?

 

1st Gen Tundra:

Reg Cab length 218.3 (w/o rear bumper)
Width 75.2” (w/o mirrors)
Cargo Box length 98.2”

Access Cab length 218” (w/o rear bumper)
Width 75.2” (w/o mirrors)
Cargo Box length 74.7”
Front hip room 59.3”
Front leg room 41.5”
Rear hip room 56.6”
Rear leg room 28.6”
4wd ground clearance 11.6”


Double Cab length 230.1” (w/o rear bumper)
Width 79.3” (w/o mirrors)
Cargo box length 74.3”
Front hip room 58.3”
Front leg room 41.6”
Rear hip room 59.7”
Rear leg room 37.5”
4wd ground clearance 12.3”



2nd Gen Tundra:

Double Cab length 228.7” (w/o rear bumper)
Width 79.9” (w/o mirrors)
Cargo box length 78.7”
Front hip room 63”
Front leg room 42.5”
Rear hip room 62.6”
Rear leg room 34.7”
4wd Ground clearance 10.8”


CrewMax Short Bed length 228.7” (w/o rear bumper)
Width 79.9” (w/o mirrors)
Cargo box length 66.7”
Front hip room 63”
Front leg room 42.5”
Rear hip room 62.6”
Rear leg room 44.5”
4wd Ground clearance 10.8”

 

I don't care so much about measurements as I do on how big do they drive (and your vision out of the cab relative to where your 4 corners are)...the 2nd gen drives MUCH bigger to me. I was waffling between a 2019 CC or a 2006 Double Cab when I decided to get rid of my 2017 Tacoma DCLB. Driving the 2006 Tundra DC felt no bigger than my 2017 Tacoma DCLB, but the 2019 Tundra CC felt massively larger...measurements be damned. You really need to drive them both to see what you are more comfortable with.

 

1st gen DC is 6.5 and a power rear window

 

2nd Gen Tundra trucks have a tighter / smaller turning circle.

 

They aren't much different on the outside but youd be shocked how cramped a Tacoma is on the inside vs a first gen Tundra.

 

That is my main deciding point between to the two, size.

If they are about the same size, then I will go with second Gen (newer, 5.7, chain vs belt, frame rust, etc). But if the first Gen drives smaller, easier to park, easier for the wife to drive on occasion, etc then I will lean that way.

But looking at the numbers, the second Gen is the "size" and has a better turning circle, 22' vs 23.5'.

I am looking to spend around $15,000 and there are a ton of solid 2005-2009 Tundra's with 80k - 120k miles on them.

 

2nd and 3rd gens are essentially the same truck, except the body redesign makes it harder to see over the hood of a 3rd gen than a 2nd (coming up and over as when off-roading).

I have a 3rd gen DC (access) and a 1st gen access cab and can verify all noted above. The 1st gen zips around in traffic, is as easy to parallel park as your Tacoma, and can fit in tighter spaces off-road. But it does take significantly more turning radius than the 3rd gen.

 

Get a 1st gen & second gen , then a 3rd gen too! You deserve all 3 models!

 

I spent a while looking for a good first gen versus a second because of the size. I liked the appeal of the 2nd gen for the reasons mentioned above (newer, less rust, 5.7 with a chain, tighter turning), but they just feel and look so big to me, I just find the scaling of them less practical; my truck is a work truck, I need to be able to reach over the side of the bed to grab tools, load and unload, I’ve got a lumber rack and if it’s too tall it just doesn’t work for me.
That being said, it comes down to your use, and it sounds like you mostly need more interior space, I can’t help compare that, that wasn’t what I was after.
Nothing beats test driving some, who cares about the official numbers, just go drive some and pick the one that feels the best.
Good luck.

 

I have had all 3 generations of Tundras. Please believe me when I tell you that the 1st generations do not have the power, interior room size and ride comfort as the other two!!! In fact, you would not notice any major differences between the long bed 4x4 double cab Tacoma and any of the 1st generations in terms of ride quality, fuel efficiency, roomiest and performance.

I have also owned 3 Tacomas, so I can speak on this from a firsthand experience and knowledge. Nevertheless, pickup trucks are like anything else, it’s a matter of choice and comfort on an individual basis. What one person like, won’t necessarily be the same for another.

 

I have 1st and a 2nd generation Tundra trucks, both are regular cab.
For many of the reasons you listed, the 4WD V8 1st gen is my dedicated work truck. It fits in more places, and is easier to work out of. My 2WD 5.7 2nd gen is my quasi muscle / sport truck, it's mainly for fun but I can work out of it in a pinch. The OP should test drive both, and make sure he goes through a drive through that he normally uses - bank, fast food, whatever, and get a feel for the differences in the 2 generations of Tundra.

 

Don't listen to any of us. Test drive both and hold off to get a 4th gen.

 

It seems like I need to drive both. I thought the 1st Gen was smaller. All I ever read was how people like the smaller size better, or it was a 7/8 size truck, or fit down trails better, etc.

But the numbers show its longer than the 2nd Gen and has a worse turning radius, go figure.

But I do have to say, I think I do like the look of the 1st Gen better.

Rented a new Tacoma crew cab a few days ago, it was nice, but needed a few inches of extra room in the back seat. I think either the 1st Gen double cab or the 2nd Gen Access cab would fix that.

 

I have a strong feeling a lot of the size comparisons from people saying its smaller are referring to access cabs. The double cab first gen looks quite a bit bigger than an access cab, both longer and taller and even has a deeper bed.

I've driven both sizes of first gen and the access cab feels more nimble. I drove a double cab 07 tacoma for a year too, it felt about the same as my access cab when it came to maneuvering or parking. Interior had more room in the the back seat obviously, but was way skinnier inside and had less room in the bed. I hated the center console in that truck, it flared out towards the dash and robbed me of precious leg space.

 

I mean, is a regular cab with a 6.5ft bed acceptable?

 

The first gen double were big lol

 

Several TW people claim 1st gen Tundra is about the same as 2nd gen Taco, not even close.
2nd gen Taco is closest to a T100. 3rd gen Taco is closet to first gen Tundra. So now I need to park next to a 3rd gen Taco AC.

Width (with and/or without flares)

1st Gen Tacoma : 66.5 - 70.1″
1st Gen T100 : 75.2"
2nd Gen Tacoma : 72.2 - 74.6"
3rd Gen Tacoma : 74.4 - 75.2"
1st Gen Tundra : 75.2 - 79.3" (includes DC which is noteably bigger in every way than the RCLB and AC models)

Length

1st Gen Tacoma AC/DC : 202.9″
1st Gen T100 RCLB/AC : 209.1"
2nd Gen Tacoma AC/DCSB : 208.1"
3rd Gen Tacoma AC/DCSB : 212.3"
1st Gen Tundra RCLB/AC : 218.3"

Curb Weight

1st Gen Tacoma : 2,750 to 3,705 lbs
1st gen T100 : 3,320 to 4,040 lbs
2nd Gen Tacoma : 3,550 to 4,220 lbs
3rd Gen Tacoma : 3,980 to 4,480 lbs
1st Gen Tundra : 3,935 to 5,020 lbs

 

Going from a 1st gen taco to a first gen tundra felt natural for me. I just wish the tundra had a little better turning radius.

 

That power roll down rear window is sweet. If trade my power slider rear window for a power roller any day lol

 

I recall seeing a lot of this when I was first buying my 1st Gen. It may have been I was thinking it more than I was actually seeing it. Now that I've had one for a bit, I believe it's more 7/8 truck, as opposed to 7/8 truck size. It's 7/8 truck with respect to load and towing capacity. Some here may not like it but, if you really need to haul something substantial, you need to go with a 5.7. As far as size goes, 1st Gens are every bit full size.

 

That's just because yours isn't black