Stealership parts dept dumbasses

Mini rant...

I have a set of 2020 4Runner SR5 wheels ( snowflakes?) that I wanted to use on my Taco. ( the same one that I'm on and off the fence about selling..)

I call the parts dept and say that I need the lug nuts for the alloy wheels..the usual "whats' the last 8 of the VIN" conversation starts.. I tried to explain that my truck came with steel wheels and I'm switching to alloys.. they still want the VIN so I give it to him. 3 minutes later I hear 'it's $10/lug nut, apparently the ones for the steel wheels are expensive".

I again explained that I need lugs for the alloy wheels, not the steel wheels. The reply was ' well, the VIN shows that you have steel wheels'

Once again, I tell him that I have ALLOY wheels that I want to mount up and I need the proper lug nuts. After a moment of silence I get "do you need the short or long shank?" I ask how can I tell? ( because I have less than no idea) and the reply was " I need the VIN of the vehicles that they came off of ". To end my suffering, I ask if they had both styles in stock so that I could just bring a wheel with me and visually verify. "well, I have 5 of each style, so I would still need to order enough to get you the 24 total that you need."

Is it just me, or has basic comprehension just flown out of the window?

And more importantly, are there any decent aftermarket lugs to use? even with my discount at the stealership, it's still like $5/lug.

 

FWIW......this type of conversation is best accomplished face to face.

I got my set of black lug nuts from Amazon for my Alloy wheels.

Good luck.

 

Better luck driving up to a local discount tire with the alloy wheel.

 

Just had an ironic thought.....

The parts guy was probably thinking the same thing about a customer on the phone.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Get the parts guy the part number for the wheel, and they'll tell you what lugnuts you need.

 

OP I understand your frustration but when modifying a vehicle it's on you to know more than some guy at a parts counter. Luckily TacomaWorld and 4Runners both have great forums with lots of people who have done this before! Did you do any searching first?

Your wheel studs are threaded in M12-1.50. The wheels you are trying to install either have a conical seat or a shank with washer setup (probably this one). I can't see your wheels so you will have to figure this out by using your eyeballs and looking at the wheels.

Here is a fun article to help you figure things out: https://help.summitracing.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5022/~/lug-nut-seat-type

Here is the link to search Toyota.com's parts catalog for a 2019 4Runner: https://parts.toyota.com/productSea...el=106091&ukey_driveline=0&searchTerm=lug nut

 

It just seemed ironic to me that he ignored my initial request for the lug nuts for the alloy wheel option for my truck and gave the info for the lugs for the steel wheels, then asked for a VIN for a truck w/ alloy wheels which I obviously didn't have.

This parts dept. generally isn't too responsive to getting parts via P/N, they always ask for a VIN.

Thanks for the info, the wheels use the washer setup just like the wheels on my 3rd gen 4runner. I should have made life easier on everyone and just ordered the lugs for the 4runner since they look to be the same as the alloy option lug nuts for the Taco.

 

I chalk it up to everyone spending so much damn time on their smartphones/internet. I feel like the art of thinking critically while holding a conversation is dying.

Don’t even get me started on spelling. It’s amazing how many kids come out of college with advanced degrees nowadays and they can’t spell for shit. Fucking autocorrect

 

Just buy them from Amazon. Buy one set of each and return what you don’t need.

 

Keep in mind that the average parts counter employee probably isn't the 'enthusiast' that most of us are. They are trained to work off of a recipe, that starts with the VIN. It makes it no less frustrating on our end, but to get the best results, it's best to just take a wheel in and show them what you're trying to accomplish.
In years past, I've dropped a couple of small block Chevy engines into vehicles for which they weren't designed. Face to face usually bears more fruit.

 

I used to work in parts for volvo for almost 13 years. And the customers I used to get is mind boggling of what they ask and know . I would always get …hi i drive a volvo . And I would ask ok what year and model and 90% of the people had no idea what they drive. They usually would say its a white one ..SMH .I always try and do as much research as possible before going into the dealership. Never call them they don’t like to answer the phone.i know I didn’t

 

Why would you waste money on OEM lugs when you can get them cheaper from a tire shop or the internet?

 

cemetery dead.

 

I have 3 sets of lugs off a 2011. not sure what alloy wheels are being referenced here but the standard trd sport ones.

Discount lost my other set and replaced with stubby ones.

ask ur local bs thread. guys always giving stuff out

 

Most parts guys don’t give a crap about the 5$ retail customers. Most will not come in anyway. Just want the parts guy to confirm a part number so they can buy it online cheaper anyway.

Not to mention not all alloys use the same lugs as mentioned. If you are switching to alloys why not buy the lugs when you buy the rims??

 

Dorman makes those shank style lugs, just go to O'reilly

 

I’ll say it. The fact you couldn’t do a 30 second search and online and instantly find out that you needed a M12 1.5 mag seat lug. Which is literally used on every year Tacoma or 4 runner(6 lug) factory aluminum wheel. And then have a bazillion places to purchase online is beyond me.

 

Thanks for the comments/points of view.... the issue is solved, Jeff Bezos has come through. The local Napper had some that were decent quality but still $4.50 each. Amazon has a 24 ct for $35 so they win... I was on the verge of taking the Taco to Colorado and had tires mounted on some 5th gen wheels that I wanted to use on the Taco, but after all of that while running around in my 3rd gen 4runner, I decided to just take the 4runner. I will enjoy the adventure a bit more in the old rig.

 

Perhaps I was trying to find something locally to install the wheels today, but thanks for the snarky attitude. I enjoyed it.