2021 Options and what can I order or can't?

Trying to order a 2021 SR5 4x4 CrewMax TRD Offroad with Leather Upgrade, Premium sound, & convenience package in Pearl. Dealer came back and said Leather isn't available in 2021 SR5 even though the website indicates so and I've found multiple Dbl Cabs with leather around the US. Also indicating I can't order TRD OR with the premium sound. Or Pearl in any fashion on SR5.

**SR5 has 1000 lb greater tow rating than Limited and up versions. No one has been able to tell me why. Same Frame, suspension, rear, engine, etc. No mechanical differences.

So then I inquired about a Limited 4x4 Crew Max TRD Offroad w/ Limited Premium Package in Wind Chill Pearl. I'm being told the only way to get pearl is by going with the Nightshade edition. Anybody have any background info or truth into the matter of the combinations that can or can't be ordered for 2021?

I'm being told also that if it doesn't exist in the US already, it can't be built.

 

The website requires the Nightshade package to get the Pearl. The problem I'm having is that I want a Platinum in Lunar Rock and that's a no-go! I can get it on the TRD Pro but not the Platinum. I don't see why I can't special order it since I'll have to order my truck from the factory anyways with the options I have.

 

Lunar Rock is this year's TRD Pro Exclusive color. So not an option on any other trims. But I feel your pain, I think the site could do a much better job. When I built Tacoma in 16', you are limited on their site by what is in stock in your area. If you change zip codes, usually different options/packages will show up to select when "building" a truck from their site.

https://hypebeast.com/2020/7/toyota-unveils-its-lunar-rock-trd-pro-exclusive-color-option

 

Can’t get leather in an SR5 out here in AZ at least. Has to be a limited. Also haven't seen premium sound in any of the SR5 trucks when I was looking for one either. Although I didn’t want it anyways.

 

Since the days of import from Japan, Toyota has never allowed you to simply order anything you wanted. For example, on a Chevy back in the day, if you wanted "wheel opening moldings", you could choose option, say, X31. Not on a Toyota. Their import practice was to "package" options into a few discrete models to fit the stocked inventory to the greatest number of potential buyers. If you wanted "wheel opening moldings", then you were forced to buy a flash-luxury package of several options, which might include power seats for example.

When Toyota began domestic production, they eased that practice slightly, and the domestic OEMs began to adopt the Toyota model. Subject to time into the model production cycle, you can actually order a vehicle through a dealer now. Before domestic production, the total number of a trim level, color, drive (4WD or 2WD) was made by an analyst in Japan, and whatever arrived on the boat was what you had to choose from. If your dealer didn't have it, he would need to locate it from the stock another dealer had received.

Regarding payload differences, that is not arbitrary. The payload rating results from government regulations. There is some "mechanical difference" in the two models you're comparing if the payload is different. The difference is in the weight differences of the added options, bed length, cab type, drive type, etc. Look harder at the specifications, you'll see the differences.

 

I think this is what he means. Towing on an SR5 4x4 crewmax is 9800 lbs vs a limited 4x4 crewmax at 8800 lbs. GVWR is the same and payload is only 20 lbs off due to the SR5 weighing 20 lbs less.

 

Huh. A thousand pounds is a LOT. Got any ideas on why? What does footnote "100" say?

 

It changed to footnote 92. Don’t know why. I’m at work now on different Wi-Fi but same area. Anyway, it says you have to check that you can tow safely or something like that.

 

Could the payload difference be in the wheels and tires that are on the higher trim?

 

Toyota is pretty restrictive on what colors and packages are available. It's dumb, but it is the way they do it. Your dealer is correct that you can only get Pearl on higher trims. You cannot get it in an SR5.

As for the Nightshade package, no, you shouldn't have to get that. They might have meant that the only one they can get for you has that package, but it was not a requirement for the color.

Also, if it's not been built yet, then it's not likely you can order it. Japanese automakers (Subaru is the same way) run their production years differently. The new model years come out sooner than the domestics, so production starts sooner. Because the 2022 Tundra is a completely new truck that should be available sometime in the mid to late summer of next year, it makes sense that they have finished production on the 2021 trucks. You'll have to try and find an existing truck.

 

@webepsu if you like the SR5, but you must have leather, then buy the SR5 and add the leather. Members have noted here that the leather in the Limited is not the same quality as the leather in the higher trims anyway, but I have no first hand knowledge. SR5 fits my price range and fundamentalism better.

When I was shopping, I saw some really nice Katskins that had been added to a brand new Chevy pickup sitting on the dealer's lot. Leather wasn't an option on the truck trim I was looking at. Confused me until I saw a tiny little label. I had never heard of Katskins previously.

 

I can vouch for the leather being different on higher trim. I just got a 21 platinum from a 19 limited. Its different for sure. Feels like they used Lexus leather on the platinum. Smooth and soft.

 

He was asking about towing capacity.

 

Right, towing capacity then.

It's Monday.

 

I'm wondering if it's due to the moon roof in the upper models... the extra weight of the addon maybe why they changed the bed capacity?

 

Yeah, that's on me. I'm the guilty party. Tow capacity and payload are directly related, and discussed so much here, I interchanged terminology. The fact remains...if you ain't got enough payload capacity, then you won't be able to use another 1000 pounds of tow capacity without some careful planning.

 

Nah, I own my mistakes. I typed payload when I meant towing capacity. Totally on me.

You are correct that low payload will eat your lunch way before the tow capacity will.

 

That will reduce your “payload”, but there was only a 20 lbs difference between the payloads of the 2 and the GVWR was the same. I don’t think limiteds come with a moon roof. He was asking why that would make a 1000 lbs difference in towing capacity.

I’m wondering as well. Both had the same engine and drivetrain.

 

Thanks All- Yes the towing capacity is the real kicker, otherwise I would simply go with the Limited. The dealer is reaching out to cooperate for an answer, just curious why the real answer isn't already floating out there.

I don't like the color matched grill surround on the Platinum, and the 1794 Leather is just not my style.

When I say "order", I understand you can't actually order something, but rather its a dealer allocation. They simply "build" their allocations with what you want.

With all that being said, I've found a few Limited in Windchill pearl around the US that DO NOT have the night shade package, like my dealer indicated it must. I'll go back to them with that and see what they say.

Still curious on the towing numbers and will report back if I get anything solid from the dealer's contacts.

 

So they are currently building 2022 Models only???? That doesn't seem to Jive. If I ordered a 2022 Model, and saw it was built in Dec of 2020. I might be a bit ticked.

 

Let's put it this way: you won't be towing 8800 lbs with any halfton so the towing capacity number is a moot point.

 

IF 2021 production has completely stopped, I'm skeptical that it's because the new model is already in production.

When a new vehicle model is introduced, there is a period where all the assembly plant infrastructure and supplier tooling is changed over to optimize for the new model, but that has typically lasted 4-8 weeks extended summer vacation for most employees. If the model is being introduced early, the changes aren't so great as to require months for the changeover.

If your dealer is telling you nothing is being built, it's for another reason, such as production being curtailed and scheduled as needed to avoid running an assembly line inefficiently at partial capacity every day.

If you're being told an individual option is not being built, it's probably because:
(1) Toyota set a limit on how many would be built, and those have been built (deliberate production limit),
(2) Toyota doesn't plan to build anymore of that option for the foreseeable future (demand satisfied, prioritization), or,
(3) Toyota can't obtain the supplied parts or materials necessary to produce the option (supply chain difficulties due to Covid).

 

Like @JohnLakeman said, 2021 trucks production coming to a halt does not mean that the 2022 models have begun production. I am curious as to why the build date would matter enough to make you angry. If it's the latest truck they make and they call it a 2030 but it's built in 2020, who cares? It is still the latest that they make.

 

2021 production is wrapped or is that speculation? I know production starts before retail sales, but ceasing production 4 months into a model year and 9-10 months prior to the next seems crazy regardless of a redesign - especially given the COVID shutdown and high market demand. This is my first foray into the Toyota allocation process, however.

 

I'm wondering if that salesman just said 2021 production is done to try to con you into settling for a truck that's already on his lot.

 

It's all speculation at this point. Top it off with the unique mess of COVID and nobody but those doing the work know for sure.