What is it called when a truck has suicide doors?

The configuration is commonly called rear-hinged doors—also known as suicide doors or clamshell doors—and on pickups it’s typically found on extended cab models (branded as SuperCab, King Cab, Access Cab, etc.). In practice, these are smaller back doors that hinge at the rear and usually open only after the front doors, creating a wide, pillarless opening when both are open.

What the term means

“Suicide doors” is an informal term for rear-hinged doors. In trucks, these are most often the secondary doors on an extended cab: they’re hinged at the back edge, latch into the cab’s B-pillar, and don’t have exterior handles on many models. When the front and rear doors open in opposite directions, the combined opening is sometimes called a clamshell, hence the alternate name “clamshell doors.”

How automakers label it

While enthusiasts say “suicide doors,” manufacturers use brand-specific names for the cab style that features rear-hinged back doors. Below are common labels you’ll see in brochures and on window stickers.

• Ford: SuperCab (F-150, some Super Duty trims) — rear-hinged rear doors
• Nissan: King Cab (Frontier) — rear-hinged rear doors
• Chevrolet/GMC: Extended Cab (older Silverado/Sierra) — historically rear-hinged; recent Double Cab uses front-hinged doors
• Toyota: Access Cab (prior Tacoma generations) — rear-hinged; for 2024+, Toyota moved to the XtraCab (no rear doors) or Double Cab (four conventional doors)
• Dodge/Ram: Quad Cab (older generations sometimes used rear-hinged; modern trucks primarily use front-hinged rear doors)

Terminology varies by year and model, and several brands have phased out rear-hinged doors in favor of full-size, front-hinged crew cabs, so always check the specific model year.

How it differs from other cab styles

Understanding the differences helps when shopping or discussing configurations. Here are the typical distinctions among truck cab styles you’ll encounter.

• Regular/Standard Cab: Two doors, no rear passenger doors
• Extended Cab (SuperCab/King Cab/Access Cab): Small rear seats or storage with rear-hinged (suicide/clamshell) doors that usually open only after the front doors
• Crew Cab/Double Cab: Four conventional, front-hinged doors with full-size rear seating

If you see smaller, rear-hinged rear doors, you’re likely looking at an extended cab; full-size rear, front-hinged doors signal a crew or double cab.

Safety and practicality notes

Modern rear-hinged truck doors incorporate interlocks so they can’t open unless the front door is open, plus robust latching to meet crash standards—addressing the historical safety concerns that gave rise to the “suicide” nickname. They allow a wide opening for loading gear in compact spaces, but they’re less convenient for frequently loading passengers than full-size, front-hinged rear doors.

Summary

When a truck has “suicide doors,” the formal description is rear-hinged rear doors, often arranged as clamshell doors on an extended cab. Automakers market this setup under names like SuperCab, King Cab, and (historically) Access Cab, while many newer models have shifted to crew cabs with four conventional doors.

What is it called when a truck has half doors?

A truck with “half doors” (meaning the rear doors are smaller and often rear-hinged) is called an Extended Cab, Double Cab, or SuperCab. The specific name can vary by manufacturer, but they all feature a longer cab than a two-door Regular Cab and have a second, smaller row of seats.
 
Here’s a breakdown of the terms:

• Extended Cab / Double Cab / Super Cab: These terms are generally used for trucks with a second row of seats that is smaller or less spacious than the front row. 
• Door Configuration: These cabs typically have four doors, but the rear doors are smaller and don’t provide the same wide opening as a full-sized Crew Cab. In some models, the rear doors are rear-hinged, meaning they open backward, sometimes referred to as “suicide doors”. 
• Purpose: This cab style offers a balance of passenger space and cargo space, with the rear seats often used for additional passengers on short trips or for storage of items. 

What truck has suicide doors?

Trucks with suicide doors, also called coach doors or rear-hinged doors, have included various models from Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota, such as the Ford SuperCab, certain older Chevy Silverados and Toyota Tacomas. The Ram 1500 Revolution concept also featured them. These doors open backward from the B-pillar for easier rear-seat access but pose a safety risk if not properly latched, which is why they are less common on modern vehicles. 
Examples of Trucks With Suicide Doors

• Ford: Opens in new tabFord’s SuperCab (extended cab) models are known for having suicide doors, as seen on the F-350 and other F-Series trucks. 
• Toyota: Opens in new tabOlder models of the Toyota Tacoma have featured suicide doors on their extended cabs. 
• Chevrolet: Opens in new tabCertain generations of the Chevrolet Silverado have been produced with suicide doors on their extended cab versions. 
• Ram: Opens in new tabWhile a concept, the electric Ram 1500 Revolution pickup truck was revealed with suicide doors. 

Why They Were Used 

• Convenience: Suicide doors provide a larger opening to the rear seats, making it much easier for passengers and cargo to get in and out of the vehicle compared to traditional smaller rear doors.

The Safety Issue 

• The primary concern with suicide doors is their “suicide” moniker. Because they open away from the front of the vehicle and are often not as secure as traditional, forward-hinged doors, there’s a risk they could fly open unexpectedly if a latch fails, particularly at high speeds. Modern seatbelt and door lock technology has made this less of a hazard, but it remains a reason for their reduced use in newer vehicles.

What are suicide doors on a truck called?

Reading Time: 5 minutes. Unlike traditional doors that hinge near the front tires, suicide doors are rear-hinged doors on the side of a vehicle. They’re also called coach doors and clamshell doors.

What is a F150 with suicide doors called?

The SuperCab is Ford’s extended cab truck. It balances room for people and space for cargo. It has smaller rear doors that swing open in a unique way, called “suicide doors.” This makes getting to the back seat easier but keeps the truck looking neat.