5-speed double cab tacoma!

I have done a lot of research and Toyota tacoma 4x4 has one of the best ground clearance for a pick-up on the market. Having a double cab brings the extra space and convenience of a SUV in a truck. However, Tacoma double cabs only come automatic (which takes the fun out of 4wheeling in my opinion). Since toyota has no plan to make a 5-speed double cab, I am deciding to go with a extended cab, 5-speed and turn it into a hybrid custom double cab! I am planning to take off the partition window between cab and the bed, add a full size 2nd row seat, and add a high ceiling shell over the bed, and to make things complete, add two rows of seat on the bed facing each other and installed on top of rear fender wells! Add a front locker, a winch, 3" lift on a TRD package, 32x11x16 uniroyal mud tires ,and a full size double door replacing the tailgate, and you have an ultimate 4x4 much more versatile than a 4-runner and about 10k less!
I need your opinions, and inputs for my project.
By the way 4-runner just released 4.0 245hp v-6; As soon as this engine goes on a Tacoma, my project starts.
Please give me your honest opinions.
with regards, Robert D. las vegas.

Seems fun, just some minor points:
-sounds like you have money to burn!
-i want pictures if you pull this off
-you're adding a LOT of weight, think about how serious you are about off roading. there is no vehicle that does everything. trucks and SUV's are not the same, and the compromise between is something hard sought after by manufacturers right now (i.e. Avalanche)
-are you going to be rock climbing with 6 people in the back?
-are 6 people going to want to squeeze into this for trips around town?
-do you never need a truckbed?
-what's the body line of the truck going to look like from the outside? to have seats on the bed means the back will have to sit more than a foot higher than the cab, because the bed intersects the cab about a foot up from the floorboard. have you ever tried just to sit under a camper shell?
-is it safe. it's one thing to go fourwheeling by yourself, but subjecting friends to a creation that might endanger their lives in both highway and offroad situations is one that might cause a lifetime of regret in a matter of seconds.
-toyotas are small (but dam'd rugged) trucks. you're cramming a lot into a little space.

... just some thoughts.
-Bert

well, I always go off-roading solo. The facing seats on the bed would be of fold up type, so cargo space would not be compromised, if I need to use the bed (as in sleeping in the car while camping). The weight can not be something that 245hp can not handle. I do agree with you that rear seats would be higher, however, a high profile shell would solve it.
Thanks for your input anyway.
Robert

The 2004 Tacoma will be coming out with the new 4.0L V6 and the Doublecabs will have the option of the 5-Speed.

Thanks for the good news. When does toyota release the new 4.0 5-speed double cabs? What would be the retail value?

will the 2004 tacoma have a different body or frame? It would be great if the new engine would bolt on earlier pickups.

Hello,

I'd like to know where this information came from so I could research it.

Thanks,
proline

If you plan on building a 5-speed double cab, it would be less work to put a manual trans into a double cab body.