Factory Purchase

Hi all

Rumor passed to me that since vehicles were still in production would be possible to have dealership place an order through the factory. If true how much leeway customize options or packages is allowed? Would like to change ext/int color, seating and grill etc options not normally distributed to the dealerships. Other than debadging, I am far too challenged to attempt mods, but will find a local pro shop. Thanks in advance, am about ready to commit on 19 CM 4x4 Platinum. KJR

 

Auto companies(BMW, Porsche, etc) that make those kinds of accommodations available on custom orders dedicate production hours or have separate processes in their factories for them. Toyota, to my knowledge does not, so the cost of impacting production to that extent means it will not happen.

 

And that's part of the reason you pay dearly for those cars. They will even give you VIP tours at the factory, let you drive your car on their closed test track, etc. All part of the "experience", doncha' know? :sarc: Wife's BMW has been the most fussy & unreliable vehicle I've dealt with. Price is not an indicator of reliability or quality.

 

You can factory order a Tundra but will be limited to the packages and options on the Toyota website. A dealer can do anything else you want at a price. I would never pay for accessories at a dealer unless the price was equal or very close to what I could do it myself for. On a 2019 unless you are in BF USA mostly likely a dealer can locate what you want.

 

That's one of the things I missed compared to buying a GM or Ford products -- they let you get very granular & detailed on configuration. Toyota is very restrictive on configuration, and some restrictions are just weird. Would have preferred 40/20/40 bench front seat, but not available with 38 gal tank :-| I suppose that greatly simplifies the production line, when there aren't 10,000 different combinations of trim & options.

 

Most will LOCATE and dealer-trade. I was able to factory order due to wanting a 2WD with TRD Off Road. Nothing but 4WD TRD Off Road in this region. Was told 6-8 weeks. Got it in 5 weeks (May 2018). I've tried to factory order in the past and wasn't able to do it.

 

Some dealers call it an "order" but it's not truly a custom order. Toyota does not build a truck based upon a specific customer or dealer request. The toyota dealer is pre-assigned an Allocation of specific models, trims and colors, then some factory or port installed options can be added or deleted from a vehicle in that allocation. But say they're allocated a Barcelona Red Crewmax TRD Offroad -- they cant change the color or TRD or cab configuration... all they can do is change some of the options like bed mat, running boards, exhaust tips, etc. Say you want a White Crewmax with convenience package and running boards. The dealer sales manager can search upcoming allocations at his location as well as across the region to find a dealer getting the color, configuration and trim you want...then go from there to either dealer trade for it.

 

Thanks @T-Rex266 yes I am currently back to the drawing board with Toyota.com. In spite of hundreds of models pickings are slim on desirable trims and options. Attempted builds for example from multiple regions/zip codes and vry difficult to locate Platinums w/o MoonRoofs for example. I never use them and don't wish the leak risk. Another finding is here in the northwest locking tailgates aren't shipped/non exist so I find myself back to searching the DFW or San Antonio localities. Is this normal? I love TX but this adds the new decision to fly down and do the walk in negotiating and decide if I want to drive the 2.5k journey back up or transport for $1500+. MBM's (not my first choice) are only options that offer the spray on bedliner/cargo bed light combos. is there a reason other than lack of inventory or should I give more consideration to after market vs OEM? Also not big fan with the grill and interior color of 1794's and LTDs, and don't wish to go hog wild and regret with warranty or resale issues. Since I cannot s/o a Platinum Cement (wow I really like that color), looks like the SSM, MGM and SW in that order. I also went back to attempt 2018 builds, but I am behind the picking curve there as well. If there was more insight to a potential upcoming refresh, I may just buy now hold for a year and upgrade later. Been a longtime toyo fan since my Celica and Supra days. I may seem impatient but have been truck shopping about 8 months and happy I did not go all in on the Denali.

 

Kudos Ninjajay, coming to realize that.

 

40/20/40 I remember those. But would be good for another 50-100 or so new employees ya think KirthGersen?

 

Yes for S&G I might stick my toes in that option at one of our dealerships. Worst they can do is say "sorry". Stand by thanks for the idea Stumpjumper

 

Will consider that locate and d2d trade as well. MG Sarge33 and thanks for your service!!

 

Appreciate your inputs @TacoWuzzaTurd ..Too bad so many moonroof combo's out there. I guess they are that popular? One of those obvious options that cannot be deleted. I have been locating many of those on multiple lots. I have reason since I spend months in So Cal, and find it way too hot to open those up without getting burned grit or grimed. KJR

 

Some configurations come standard with certain features. Wonder if moonroof is a standard option on all of the platinums? Need to find a sales manager or fleet manager who will sit down with you and help educate you on the options and possibilities. Skip the sales guy who is just in a hurry to "find the truck you want" because he just wants to get the deal done, not necessarily make sure you're happy. Just my opinion.

 

You could be onto something. While able to find a handful of platinums without moonroofs..mostly were MBM's in TX (of course piled with option pkgs that top on additional $3K or more than I would entertain, or 2WDs. Since still a year out before moving back to midwest, now Im searching threads for 4WD/2WD discussions for consideration. During build process all other color builds now seem to default to moonroofs only. I do like the idea to sit and discuss with fleet or inventory manager. FWIW am awaiting 5-10 bids from a car shopping service with bids from local/regional in-state dealerships perhaps lady luck will locate one with the bare level of packages and convince me to get off my LA and do the MOD work myself. Pulling up my boot straps, and will post results of that venture. TY sir! I been browsing this forum for months now have nothing but mad respect for all posters, helpful opines and topics.

 

Once again, appreciate your input..
Did as you suggested and discovered that less than 100 are produced p/y. Found one and saved

Thanks again @TacoWuzzaTurd and @Stumpjumper all suggests panned out. Since less than 100 are produced p/y, I was able to "quasi order" for $3k less OTD than one that I would have had to pick up from out of state. Found a manager and the main requirement is the 3-4 week factory wait for production and shipping. Cheers gents!

 

My neighbor just ordered and received his '19 Platinum and he could "order" what was on the website. He wanted to add the new Black Pro headlights, fuel wheels, KO2s and none of that was an "order-able" option.

He bought the lights, wheels and tires through the dealership as a separate deal.

 

Yeah found it interesting -but can understand why- that local and out of state dealers I contacted never offered the option, limiting instead to on-lot (or within 50 or so miles) inventory. Good to know at least a few remain that are willing to share "close hold" info about going back to TX to request off the line. What an education, but proof enough evidenced as your neighbor found that while '19 Plats in production its possible to add or remove options or features.

 

That is exactly what happened when I was shopping for a 2018. I wanted 2WD (had no use for 4WD) and TRD Off Road. There were two in my state (California), one in southern California the other in Sacramento. The one in sacko-tomatoes was the color I liked (plus it was much closer to me in Ukiah) so we went with that.

Absolutely could not be happier!

Dan

 

A dealership may allocate one to/for you they know is coming off the line soon. (May require deposit for this.)
If you can get this far, you can have additional items added or prevent them from being added at the regional ports. The ports do add additional options.
I did this and prevented any additional port installed options except running boards. No undercoating, no Toyoguard, etc. Saved me a thousand or so onj stuff I didn't want or care about.

As noted above, Toyota doesn't custom build trucks. They have packages, and options, and you get what they build and make available.

 

Good luck not getting a moonroof in limited or higher trims. I tried to find my 18 crewmax in cement. Limited package and they didn't exist without a moonroof.

 

True.

I had to get the Limited package specifically wanted the moonroof as one of my only Must Have items.

 

My 2018 Limited doesn’t have a sunroof and I jumped all over it when I found it. They are nice and I have them in a couple other vehicles but I liked the idea of not having one. Honestly I haven’t seen any running around here in a Limited without a sunroof. How rare is it that they come without one in this trim?

 

Not sure to answer your question but I find zero use for sunroofs in AZ. Most of the time we're trying to keep the sun off of us. Just another place to leak later.

 

When we were looking for my 18. I really liked the cement color and felt that I could wait to find a crewmax in limited. Main thing was the leather and dual climate since the Mrs. Does not enjoy my preference for cold. In looking if it had the plus package like the JBL upgrade along with all the other standard items on a limited, we were informed that they are very rare and being in the Midwest we might never find one. To this day I have never found a limited around here without the glass hole in the roof.

I would prefer not to have one, just for more headroom . But I don't mind using it in the summer to help cool off the truck or if it's below 80 running with it open and the back window down.

 

According to my search and comments from managers <100 per year 1794/Platinum nationwide.

 

I would’ve thought more than that. So less than 100 in the Limited/Platinum/1794 without sunroofs?

 

Yup, at least two dealerships advised me so.

 

Dont know why everyone hates sunroofs in a tundra but i had about a dozen cars that I previously owned with panorama glass roofs and sunroofs and never experienced a leak before.You guys do know there is a headliner that slides over the sunroof right? In case sun is too bright.Personnally i think cars without sunroofs will have lower resale value.Just my .02c