Does your bed extender come with reinforcements for the tailgate/tailgate cables? If not you can expect to dump that 4wheeler somewhere on the Highway.....

The Tacoma tailgate is NOT heavily made and will not stand up to use like that for long. Sorry the trailer doesn't seem to be an option for you, seems like if you've got tires skidding on steep wet hills that might be the time to engage 4wd. You better look into this a little more - a DCSB Tacoma will NOT haul a standard ATV for very long. Also note we haven't begun to discuss how easy it is to break the back window out of a DCSB Tacoma with a 4wheeler due to the shallow bed or the lack of sturdy ties to secure the 4wheeler in the back.

It might just be that this isn't a guess on my part. I might even have owned a few 4wheelers and tried to load 'em up in the beds of my two DCSB Tacoma's and subsequently purchased a trailer. Feel free to learn in whatever way seems best to you.



David

I'm not trying to have a pissing match here.. many do it and they make aftermarket straps for the tailgate to strengthen them.. and I've loaded atv's in trucks b4, I know the risks.

Enjoy!

David

I just got some good but expensive tint put on my windows Huper Optik Ceramic 70 on the windshield and the 40 everywhere else... it's only been a couple days but my TE has stayed cooler and it cools off faster now. If you don't have tint maybe look into it, only possibly solves one of the problems but lets be honest if you want a Tacoma no one here will be able talk you out of it haha.

You sir, are very wrong. When I had my atv, I would drive it up my ramps that were sitting on the tail gate and haul it anywhere from 45 mins to 3 hours and then back. Yes this was in a DCSB. the rear tires would sit on the tail gate, but the majority of the atv is in the bed. The amount of weight that is actually on the tail gate is maybe a 1/4 of what the atv weighs. Never any problems. This is also going down the highway and on trails with it loaded up. You do have to be careful of your back window, but depending on how far the front tires stick forward of the atv bumper, the normally stop it from hitting. If not, have the atv in gear and strap it down. Problem solved. In fact, there is a thread on TacomaWorld with many others doing the same thing. Never a problem that Ive seen.

I didn't read all of the responses, but I've owned 3 2nd gen Tacos (07 AC, 07 DC, 12 DC...all 4x4) and if you lift it you'll have driveline vibes. That two piece drive line is a deal breaker for me until the next generation hopefully remedies the issue. It drove me crazy!!! I've done the following lifts: OME, spacer, and RCD 4.5"...less vibes on the RCD due to the drop bracket and blocks.

I will also say that the Taco has an AMAZING turning radius, almost like a forklift.

They're sexy trucks that's for sure, but so is the 4runner. You need to truly consider your own lifestyle and needs then go from there. Good luck!

Enjoy.

David

yea, i already did that, i had high quality tint at 15% put on all the windows except the windshield. so essentially the back ones are 5% or so and the front 2 are at 15%. it's just the big cabin


ON A SIDE NOTE.. after weighing out my options, i think i'm gonna keep the 4runner and when it's paid off i'll buy a 2002-2004 taco

Chiming in on an aging thread... but I'm pretty convinced that I'll be trading my 2012 tacoma in on a new 4runner-

I'd probably just upgrade to a double cab v6 auto 4x4 (I have a 2.7L manual 4x4) but I'm pretty disappointed that the Tacoma still hasn't seen the new and improved 4.0L that the 4runner and FJ use. It's kind of a slap in the face. They even have a much improved 2.7L that they have neglected to put in the 4cyl slug tacoma. Obviously the power is nice, but the fuel economy would have to increase a little in putting these engines in. Plus, if the Tacoma is more suited for towing and truck/hauling duties, why does it have the weakest 4.0L?

That, and the body style (as nice as it continues to be) hasn't seen anything more than a new grill and headlights since 2005. They just add some new electronic item, like entune, bluetooth, something else... but no significant changes. 2016 *HAS* to be the year for a major revisit to the Tacoma. As far as manual transmissions, the one mated with the 4cyl is a pretty lousy one. In my countless hours of searching tacomaworld for others in the same boat, I found just as many complaints about the 6spd manual on the 6cyls. Obviously you don't buy a manual truck and expect it to be as smooth and willing as a sports car transmission, but it's pretty terrible. Test drive if curious, and read up on some of the issues that arise after logging some miles.

Anyway, good idea on getting an older Tacoma. If you just need something to haul the ATV on weekends you could also defect from Toyota and find something for 1/3rd the price. I'm still amazed that 2004 and under Tacomas fetch 13k frequently. I'm obviously pretty biased, but looking forward to what they do with the truck when they finally do some significant changes. A lot has changed since 2005 and they're going to have to offer some pretty good incentives to compete with what Ram is doing. Not everyone is willing to buy a midsize truck just for the form factor, especially when the competition is delivering much better fuel economy, power, and creature comforts.