Toyota not doing custom builds? Dealer BS?

There is GPS data and link to each dealer's website.

 

The data/toyota-inventory.csv file has a mishmash of Dealer Name, State acronym, and then Vehicle info, and one of them has lat/long.

Some people smarter than I have figured out how to export and make an excel table where they can get all fancy with location algorithms and stuff.

 

QFT

I live in GA. Got my 2022 in KY. It was a dealer trade. Original Ship to dealer was in TN, but had traded trucks with the KY dealer to get a truck TN customer wanted. In the end I ended up getting a Sport instead of OR, but got LED headlights and 360 cameras, so I was OK with it.

 

I figured out the excel file. Only 71 manual offroads out there right now.

 

Not sure if it’s true but I was told by a dealer that if you catch an allocation in an early enough stage changes can be made.

 

One somewhat funny thing is that some go on here saying that they "custom ordered" a truck because their dealer told them they did and they tell everyone they are wrong. For once a dealer was honest and here we are.

 

Probably at least going back to the 70’s or 80’s and maybe further. But this was when Toyota implemented its efficiencies for mass production.

For the OP: if you want to understand why Toyota does not take custom orders, Google the Toyota Production System (TPS) and the Just-In-Time model. It’s pretty interesting to read about aside from your frustration over the dealer salesman not knowing what he’s talking about.

 

Manuals are supposed to only be like 5% of total production. I wanted a Manual offroad and a swaybar disconnect in white.

I didnt get the swaybar disconnect because I have a birth defect where I was born without any patience.

 

Could certainly be wrong but doubt that’s true, might be a misunderstanding of port installs/mods

 

Yep, I went to my local dealer, two different times (thinking the first sales person was incorrect) trying to order my 24 OR with their list of available options (didn't really consider it custom) and both times rejected. I found my truck 450 miles away with the options I wanted (except for the spray on bedliner and tie down rings, both I can live with but never order) and bought it. I enjoyed the ride home, but I was still in disbelief why they couldn't take an order...

 

Yeah, it's good information to know now. Even though I just gave my specs to a guy that's worked at the dealership for years and he said that may have to be a "special order". Like, just tell me you'll have to find it at another dealership and do a trade. Quit acting like this custom ordering thing is real.

It makes total sense. I just fell victim to taking the dealership on their word that they were "ordering" my last one.

I have the same defect. I almost just drove two hours to impulse buy a manual SR model.

 

I really do think it's a condition that gets over looked. We need to be compensated!

 

Can the factory swaybar disconnect be added afterwards? Or is it better to just go aftermarket at that point?

 

Me thinks not.... the switch is another hunned, then add wiring and everything else

 

WTF! Damn glad mine has it

 

Was told by three dealerships that they get what they get from Toyota’s algorithms and have no say. They were all quick to find another dealership to trade with to make the sale, got one salesman to tell me what dealership the truck was at before he realized he screwed up.

Ultimately I used the Toyota website to show me what dealerships had my “build” within a certain radius and chose the best deal.

 

I really wish you could custom order vehicles from Toyota. Finding something close takes patience.

I got lucky with my 4Runner purchase. I created a config on Toyota.com then sent a quote request to five dealers. One of them had the vehicle already ordered, built, and on a boat from Japan. Pure luck.

Basically you have to find something in inventory and be willing to travel to go get your config. There were plenty like I wanted across the USA. I just decided I didn’t want to travel to go get it. I’m glad the planets aligned for a local deal.

It shouldn’t be this fucking hard though.

I custom ordered a BMW X5 in September 2023. It was built in Spartanburg and delivered four weeks later. Really easy. No discount off MSRP, but no distributor or dealer shenanigans either.

 

Not exactly. The dealer gets an allocation. They can then “request” a spec. Once the VIN is assigned to the dealer they can see how close they got to that spec and let their customer know. That is why most all do refundable deposits. If the spec is not what the customer wants then they try for a dealer trade or put in another “request” on the next allocation.

 

Yes, as long as it is in build status they can request changes. I asked for a color change and it was approved.

 

It's true. I did it.