2004 Toyota Tundra Double Cab

Looking back at Toyota's efforts to capture a piece of the American truck market, it hasn't always been as easy as pie. Even though Toyota has been building pickups since 1935, not until 1965 did the Japanese automaker enter the U.S. marketplace with a pint-sized rig called the Stout, which sold in modest numbers over its 3-year lifespan.

The Double Cab is nearly one foot longer overall than its predecessors, with a wheelbase that measures 12.2 inches longer and four inches wider.

Seeing as how Americans like their trucks to be big and brawny, Toyota went on to develop larger models with the Tacoma and T100. Still, they weren't large enough to go head-to-head with domestic full-size trucks, so the Toyota rolled out its Tundra in 1999.


That model has earned high marks from a number of quarters, save one: it was still considered a 7/8ths-size version of the real deal. Never one to take things lying down, Toyota has responded to this niggling criticism with a new, larger Double Cab version of the Tundra.


With a redesigned frame, it's larger than previous Tundra offerings. The Double Cab is nearly one foot longer overall than its predecessors, with a wheelbase that measures 12.2 inches longer and four inches wider. It features body-on-frame construction, with a fully boxed front section and a rolled C-frame rear section, stabilized by an X-type cross brace aft.


With this new model, Tundra's lineup now consists of a Regular Cab, an Access Cab, and the latest Double Cab, which sports four full-sized doors. Beyond the obvious addition of two new full-sized rear doors, also new is a rear 60/40 split bench seat with a more comfortable seat back angle of 24 degrees, and rear seat sections that fold and tumble forward, providing for increased cargo protection, flexibility and versatility. Another nicety is a power-sliding full-rear window (a segment first). Combine that with the optional power sliding moonroof and power windows in all four doors, and you create an al fresco feeling in the cabin.