2025 4Runner "Ordering" and Allocations Explained

[Baker]

Basically this is how “ordering” and wanting a specific configuration works — If it happens to be being built at the time and allocated/delivered to your dealer then you can get your exact specs. If not, you either have to choose one that’s close to your specs or wait and hopefully get your exact match in future allocations/deliveries.

To explain this properly it’s best to compare the order system for a brand like Jeep versus Toyota. If, for example, you wanted a manual Gladiator Willy’s trim, you would configure your Jeep to your liking and submit the build to any Jeep dealer. The dealer, will then send that request to the factory and typically your built-to-order Gladitaor will arrive in a few months.​

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Toyota’s system on the other hand isn’t so straightforward. As an automaker, Toyota prides itself on manufacturing vehicles efficiently, and custom orders reduce that efficiency. Over the years I’ve spoken with several Toyota dealers and even reps from Toyota corporate about their “order” process and I’ve gotten inconsistent responses. What I have pieced together is an allocation process that works something like this.​

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The Toyota factory will periodically release an allocation batch to a dealership. In the case of the Tacoma, the factory will tell the dealer - “You will get 12 Tacomas.” If a dealer has a customer that wants a specific Tacoma they will tell the factory they want a certain build, and here is where it gets interesting, if that build happens to be in the scheduled production run for that round, often the dealer will usually get the order. But, if someone were to ask for a Tacoma TRD Off-Road Double-Cab w/5ft Bed 4x4 manual in Luna Rock, and that combination is not on the schedule, the customer is out of luck until the next round of allocations gets released, and maybe the perfect truck will be in that batch. If not, they have to keep waiting until their configuration just happens to get on the schedule.​

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Essentially if you want a truck from Ford, Ram, Jeep, or GM the dealer tells the factory “Make us one of these like this” and as long as the allocation slot is available that request is usually granted. Whereas a Toyota dealer will say to the factory “I’d like a truck like this please” and the factory response is along the lines of “Yeah…we will see about that.”​

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Where things get even more difficult is that Toyota will schedule the configurations that are the most popular based on previous sales data, so if not a lot of people bought the manual truck in the past few years, the factory isn’t going to make a ton of manual trucks. Of course, this can create the cycle of Toyota not making things because people aren’t buying them, and people aren’t buying them because Toyota doesn’t make that many.​

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Updated with @Nodak's detailed deep-dive explanation of the Toyota allocation process:

i am going to try to explain how toyota allocation systems works. this is not all encompassing on every aspect and/or nuances that affect the allocation system.

how toyota builds vehicles, how allocation works, how to put in a allocation reserve request, how transporting work.

how toyota builds vehicles:

toyota builds vehicles by way of computer allocation system. the computer determines what vehicle is made on the assembly line based on previous sales (pretty sure its last fiscal year). based on the previous sales it allocates certain models are built more than other models/trims/factory packages on the assembly line.

ie: out of 100 tundra's being built, it may allocate 30 to be limited, 20 be SR5, 5 be SR, 15 be Platinum, 20 be 1794, 10 be TRD.

ie: out of 30 limiteds being built, it may build certain colors more than others, more 4x4 than 4x2, more crew cabs than double cabs, etc.

right now i know platinum's are mostly being built with the AQ package code (HUD), but my regional port requires that if you order the AQ package, you also must select the RB package code (powered running boards). the system wont validate the request if both are not checked in the allocation reserve request screen (my screenshot).

dealer allocations system :

when you goto a dealer and say you want this specific configuration of a tundra (or any toyota) the dealer can either tell you what they have in transit, on the lot (or in times prior to covid) what they could swap with another dealer. if that dealer doesnt have or can get you what you are looking for they can log into dealerdaily and look for anything within that region.

here is a list of toyota regions in the USA.

New England Region -- Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Greater New York Region -- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
Central Atlantic Region -- Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, W. Virginia, Delaware, District of Columbia
Western Region -- Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota
Ohio Valley Region -- Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee
Midwest Region -- Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota
Mountain Region -- Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming
Northern CA Region -- California north of the Los Angeles metro area
Southern CA Region -- Los Angeles metro area, and areas south
Pacific Northwest Region -- Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana

Gulf States Region -- Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi
Southeast Region -- North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida

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here is a list of the regional ports before they were renamed. this is an old repost from my tacoma world forum post

• Boston Office (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI) 508-339-5701
• New York (NY, NJ, CT) 973-575-7600
• Central Atlantic (PA, VA, WV, MD, DE) 410-760-1500
• Kansas City Region (ND, SD, NE, KS, IA, M0) 816-891-1000
• Cincinnati Region (MI, OH, KY, TN) 513-745-7500
• Chicago Region (MN, WI, IL, IN) 630-907-0150
• Denver Region (WY, CO, UT, NM, AZ, NV) 303-799-6776
• San Francisco Region (Northern CA) 925-830-8300
• LA Region (Southern CA) 949-727-2700
• Portland Region (AK, WA, OR, ID, MT) 503-493-4900
• Gulf States Region (OK, TX, MS, LA, AR) 713-580-3300
• Southeast Region (NC, SC, AL, GA, FL) 954-429-2000

not confident on the phone numbers since they are from late 2000's
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gulf states region is also know as GST (Gulf States Toyota)
southeast regions is also know as SET (SouthEast Toyota)

also be mindful that GST and SET do not have to follow Toyota USA rules since they existed prior to toyota usa coming to america (sorta like how CARB can set their own rules outside the EPA)

GST and SET also have financial arms that are own by the same family that runs GST or SET just like toyota/lexus financial are still the same company (Toyota Financial).

this also extends out to the extended warranties underwritten by GST or SET. just be mindful that these extended warranties may not be valid if you move or use a toyota dealer that is outside GST or SET regions.

as per the below pic, this is a scan of a printout of dealerdaily allocation reserve request that my dealer (this is my reserve request for a platinum) has no issue giving me a copy since i have bought about 13+ toyota's from them.

a dealer puts in an allocation reserve request into dealer daily. once you select the packages and/or options and color, they have to hit a button to verify that selection is valid for the regional port that dealer is part of. it will either validate it or reject it per the regional port rules.

the first reserve request is consider the primary request. you can enter multiple requests after the first one but the caveat is that if one of your secondary or tertiary requests gets built before your primary they may fulfill that reserve request and ignore the other selections. its a gamble if you are willing to take it. on my request i only put in 1 request and i am willing to wait for that vehicle to be built. the more odd ball the config (or low selling trim like the SR) the least likely it will be build on the assembly line.

once a vehicle is built at the assembly line, it is then allocated to a regional port. its a weighted system to certain configs are predominate to certain regions. more 2wd are sent south compared to 4wd being sent to snow states, etc.

once a regional port is selected by the computer it will look at allocation reserve requests in that regional port and pick one that is either an exact match to the config or as close to any that are not an exact match. then its tagged for that dealer on the request.

before the system opened up, toyota usa determined which dealer got what configurations, but since its now open, a dealer can preference what they want. another caveat is that depending on how the dealer did in previous quarters/fiscal year to meet toyota selling quota's, dealers get weighted on who gets what first and how many reserve request they are allowed to enter into dealer daily. another snag is if your dealer is considered a primary or secondary dealer. primary are toyota exclusive dealer, secondary are dealers that sell other brands along side toyota (they are somewhat considered a 2nd rate toyota dealer so they are lower on the totem pole for allocations)

big cities dealers you will see they will have 5-10 tundras in transit or on the lot. at one point the dealer about 100 miles away had 9 tundra's on his lot last month and now only has 1. one dealer in MN has currently 9 tundra's in transit but all are reserved (sold)

EDIT:
on the above screenshot, i forgot to add, factory accessories (ie: packages) are those items added during the factory/assembly line build of the vehicle.

post production items are those that are either installed at the regional port (PIO) or dealer (DIO). if you dont have it checked during the order reserve request, these can be ordered thru the parts department and added at the dealer (DIO), with the issue of possibly being charged higher than what would have been charged when you optioned it with the vehicle originally (usually added labor cost, parts dept. up-charge, shipping cost, or flat out profit margin on parts)

how transporting work:

on the allocation reserve request screen (which is not shown), certain "post production" items are installed at the regional port (PIO, port installed option). this is your best option for add-ons as the people putting these items on have higher proficiency and quality of install on these items compared to a dealer (also know as DIO, dealer installed option). remember the person at the dealer may have only installed and item once or a very few times, so your vehicle will be a test mule for them to learn.

on transporting a vehicle from the factory to the dealer:

this is a scan of my delivery status printout on our 2018 tundra platinum. the new screen for status delivery is completely different from when we bought our 2018 vs our 2022

once its built it will be loaded to a rail car and shipped to a regional port. once at a regional port any PIO will be installed, stop sale issues fixed and/or qc issues resolved prior to being loaded to a transport truck. once its on a transport truck you will not get any updates via dealer daily until it hits the dealer. rail updates are more likely.

(a lot of 1794 are in qc hold at ports and i have seen some sitting at a port since nov-2021, with one person replying saying his 1794 has been on hold since before then i think)

the dealer can go into dealer daily and pull up a timeline status screen of where and what milestones it is suppose to hit in the build/transport phase.

production date is the birth of your vehicle (or when its suppose to be build on the assembly line)

vessel depart/arrival is for shipments coming from japan (lexus, 4runner, land cruiser) and arrival at a usa ship port (i know jaxport is for SET region)

plant/port process means it been thru the assembly line and passed QC and loaded onto a rail car (usa plant) or from a ship from japan and loaded onto a rail car to ship to a regional port

rail departure is when it left the usa factory on the rail car or in the case of shipments from japan, the usa shipping port on rail transport

rail arrival is the arrival at the regional port

shipment to dealer is when its put on a transport truck to the dealer after being processed thru the regional port (qc holds, stop sale hold, PIO installs)

railcar location just tells you where it is located while in transit and what date/location "temple, tx". (this will only populate when its on a rail car from the plant/port to a regional port and if you catch the train stopped between the 2 locations)

edit: just wanted to add, the turkey day screwed the delivery by alot. it didnt end up arriving at the dealer until dec-3 and we picked it up at 6pm on dec-4. our original request was put into dealer daily back on oct-14 i think.


hopefully that gives people a simple understanding how "ordering" works for toyota.

edit: with new info i will be adding the actual regional rail ports

unless otherwise noted, these are where they unload rail cars for toyota's
some locations also load them onto rail cars

some locations are also vessel unloads from japan (jaxport is a primary one)

i know off the bat that commerce, ga and jaxport is the primary location for SET region, and Kansas city is the regional port for me

AZ - Phoenix
AR - West Memphis
CA - Benicia (load/unload), Long Beach (load), Mira Loma, Richmond
CO - Denver
FL - Jacksonville (Load/Unload - Jaxport), West Lake
GA - Brunswick, Commerce, Savannah
IL - Logistics Park
IN - Layfayette (Load Only), Princeton (Load/Unload)
KS - Kansas City
KY - Georgetown & Louisville (load only)
MD - Jessup, Baltimore
MA - East Brookfield
MN - St Paul
MS - Tuepelo (load only)
NJ - Newark
NM - Albuquerque
NY - Selkirk, Mechanicville
OH - Lordstown
OR - Portland (load/unload)
TX - Houston, San Antonio (Toyota Assembly, load only)
UT - Salt Lake
WA - Renton

Canada

AB - Calgary
BC - New Westminster
WB - Moncton
ON - Agincourt (load only), Cambridge (load only), Woodstock (load only)

Mexico
Salamanca (load only)
Lazaro Cardenas Michoacan (load only)
Veracruz

edit:

apparently if you can get a rail status update on your allocation like shown below (pic used from @aguninc post)

look for the "TTGX981661" entry or similar entry to determine your railcar. then you can call this number to get an actual status

Trace rail cars with Touch Trace: dial 1-877-ShipCSX (1-877-744-7279), options 2-1-3

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i heard via 3rd party whispers that a big 3 (ford) may look into doing this same system.

the reason toyota does this is to simplify the number of variables/configurations that you have to build. if you are not building 50-100 different unique trim load outs you have less qc issues in the long run and less issues with parts.

tundra only has like 7 models and then you multiple that by the package(s) for those models.

then compare to a F150/F250/F350 and then you add in the packages for those and it gets nuts on how many parts/config you have to keep track of. now if you are a assembly line technician, you have to keep that somewhat in perspective, you cant remember all of those myriad configs but if you only have say 20-35 to remember, its gets easier and less likely you will screw something up.

but that just my speculation.

update 2022-11-05:

here is my allocation reserve request that was finally picked up. had to compromise on the FIO/PIO options since the wife was tired of waiting for her tundra after 6 months

 

[Thane]

Toyota also bundles multiple features resulting in few configurations available.

Jeep orders are bundled at the model level with with SIGNIFICANT individual features available a la carte. like engine, transmission, rear gearing, roofs... and then a whole bunch of tech upselling nonsense.

Vastly different manufacturers. (ie; FJ purchased off lot with 2 bundles... JLURXR ordered with 10+ additional specific selections-35 days order to received). Chrysler orders, sold to the individual ordering, are in addition to dealers normal allotment slots.

 

[CO72284runner]

I was told the same today. The only caveat is the build is based on location meaning they build to what is typically in demand in your area. This was news to me but I understand where Toyota is coming from.

 

[signals34]

so another words, you get what we build, if you do not like it , tough....and they don't care because the people will buy, regardless.....lol

 

[sub_sonarman]

This is not true. I don't know why a dealership would say that. Every Toyota built has been "ordered" by TMS (Toyota Motor Sales) and vehicles are roughly built in the order that the orders are received by the manufacturer. It may be true that TMS steers dealerships towards certain trim lines and options based on sales data for a region, but ultimately a dealership can order what they want. I suspect dealerships are hesitant to place customer orders because customer orders kind of suck. It takes one allocation away from the dealership and the dealership has to hope the sale goes through so they are not stuck with some weird configuration that might sit on the lot for a while. Also customer orders entail negotiating the sale price without the customers emotional attachment to the vehicle so the sale price is generally lower than what the dealership can get for a sale off the lot.

 

[malba2366]

This is not true. I don't know why a dealership would say that. Every Toyota built has been "ordered" by TLS and vehicles are roughly built in the order that the orders are received by the manufacturer. It may be true that TLS steers dealerships towards certain trim lines and options based on sales data for a region, but ultimately a dealership can order what they want. I suspect dealerships are hesitant to place customer orders because customer orders kind of suck. It takes one allocation away from the dealership and the dealership has to hope the sale goes through so they are not stuck with some weird configuration that might sit on the lot for a while. Also customer orders entail negotiating the sale price without the customers emotional attachment to the vehicle so the sale price is generally lower than what the dealership can get for a sale off the lot.

Toyota does not really allow custom ordering of vehicles. If your dealer is willing to enter in a custom order, that order will only be filled when Toyota already has that vehicle in their production queue and your dealer has an allocation. Most of the cars Toyota builds come in one of a few configurations that Toyotas product planners feel will have the most demand.

 

[sub_sonarman]

Toyota does not really allow custom ordering of

Toyota does not really allow custom ordering of vehicles. If your dealer is willing to enter in a custom order, that order will only be filled when Toyota already has that vehicle in their production queue and your dealer has an allocation. Most of the cars Toyota builds come in one of a few configurations that Toyotas product planners feel will have the most demand.

I work at a Toyota manufacturing plant. What you're saying does not match my experience.

 

[Bronconomore]

This is not true. I don't know why a dealership would say that. Every Toyota built has been "ordered" by TLS and vehicles are roughly built in the order that the orders are received by the manufacturer. It may be true that TLS steers dealerships towards certain trim lines and options based on sales data for a region, but ultimately a dealership can order what they want. I suspect dealerships are hesitant to place customer orders because customer orders kind of suck. It takes one allocation away from the dealership and the dealership has to hope the sale goes through so they are not stuck with some weird configuration that might sit on the lot for a while. Also customer orders entail negotiating the sale price without the customers emotional attachment to the vehicle so the sale price is generally lower than what the dealership can get for a sale off the lot.

Sorry to be ignorant but what do the initials TLS represent?
Thank you

 

[sub_sonarman]

Sorry to be ignorant but what do the initials TLS represent?
Thank you

Toyota Logistics Services. Sorry I meant TMS (Toyota Motor Sales). TLS distributes vehicles from manufacturers to distribution centers around the country. TMS is responsible for sales, marketing, and dealer services.

 

[qtb007]

Couple things...

Toyota (the manufacturing company) builds the car. The car is ordered by TLS/TMS for the US market. TLS/TMS works with the regional distributors to determine what cars are going to go where. Southeast Toyota and Gulf State Toyota are, IIRC, fully independent while Mid Atlantic and other Toyota regional distributors are part of Toyota. All the dealerships get their allocations from the regional distributors. You can see how, with this setup, that making a specific request at a dealership has to pass through at least the dealer, the distributor, TLS/TMS, and finally manufacturing to get built. That's why you tend to see "orders" come sporadically because the distributors are looking at their group of available builds from TMS/TLS and trying to match up with dealers that have preferenced a particular build. Some options are super regional (2WD for example), so someone in Maine might be forced to get a fleet grade truck because the only people in that region buying 2WD trucks at any volume are fleet buyers. Where someone in Miami might have a tough time finding a 4WD base model because of the opposite reasons but same dynamic. They're using known data to try to match the vehicle spec build ratios as close as possible to the region that will receive it.

Since Toyota does build all these configurations, your best bet to get what you want is to use the inventory tools to find out how many Toyota makes of your configuration and where they are ending up. This tool also shows incoming vehicles so you can inquire about it before it has hit the lots. https://www.toyota.com/search-inventory/

Even in the internet age, most people aren't using these tools. Most people are showing up to a dealership and buying what is on the lot. That's honestly why Toyota does things the way they do. Using the inventory tool will put you at an advantage to get the vehicle you want.

 

[Frank]

As long as I can get a White Limited 4WD Hybrid-Tan Interior-Power Running boards. I'm good to go.

 

[WKTJR1]

Couple things...

Toyota (the manufacturing company) builds the car. The car is ordered by TLS/TMS for the US market. TLS/TMS works with the regional distributors to determine what cars are going to go where. Southeast Toyota and Gulf State Toyota are, IIRC, fully independent while Mid Atlantic and other Toyota regional distributors are part of Toyota. All the dealerships get their allocations from the regional distributors. You can see how, with this setup, that making a specific request at a dealership has to pass through at least the dealer, the distributor, TLS/TMS, and finally manufacturing to get built. That's why you tend to see "orders" come sporadically because the distributors are looking at their group of available builds from TMS/TLS and trying to match up with dealers that have preferenced a particular build. Some options are super regional (2WD for example), so someone in Maine might be forced to get a fleet grade truck because the only people in that region buying 2WD trucks at any volume are fleet buyers. Where someone in Miami might have a tough time finding a 4WD base model because of the opposite reasons but same dynamic. They're using known data to try to match the vehicle spec build ratios as close as possible to the region that will receive it.

Since Toyota does build all these configurations, your best bet to get what you want is to use the inventory tools to find out how many Toyota makes of your configuration and where they are ending up. This tool also shows incoming vehicles so you can inquire about it before it has hit the lots. https://www.toyota.com/search-inventory/

Even in the internet age, most people aren't using these tools. Most people are showing up to a dealership and buying what is on the lot. That's honestly why Toyota does things the way they do. Using the inventory tool will put you at an advantage to get the vehicle you want.

I can confidently say that 99% of trucks coming into Maine are equipped with 4WD and are heavily optioned, depending on the location. Once you get north of Bangor, most trucks are SR5 trims; however, as you move south toward Boston, you'll see more premium packages and PIOs (Port Installed Options).

Regarding ordering, if there’s a specific model you’re looking for, you’ll need to call around to find a dealer with an allocation for that model. On the T4G forums, you’ll find people who have been "waiting" for their trucks to arrive—some are still waiting. By the time trucks appear on Toyota.com, they’re often already reserved, especially for halo models.

As for allocations, I’ve navigated this process twice successfully. The key is to locate the truck a few weeks before it’s slated for production. The longer the lead time, the better your chances of securing exactly what you want.

The first time, I was able to change the color and remove some options. The second time, I adjusted the interior color, deleted certain PIOs, and added one option. In the end, the truck was customized to my specifications, all by working within Toyota’s allocation system.
EDIT: The dealers get their allocations twice per month.

 

[qtb007]

I can confidently say that 99% of trucks coming into Maine are equipped with 4WD and are heavily optioned, depending on the location. Once you get north of Bangor, most trucks are SR5 trims; however, as you move south toward Boston, you'll see more premium packages and PIOs (Port Installed Options).

I just picked a random zip code in Portland, Maine and there were 9 RWD Tacomas available within 20 miles of that zip. And every single one was an SR grade exactly like I said above. 4Runner might be a different mix since they aren't used for fleet nearly as much, but I was just stating an example of how the allocation system is adjusted for the region based on the buyer preference. Fleet buyers want cheap, so RWD trucks end up being the lowest package. As long as people are looking for something relatively common in their area, it shouldn't be hard to search the inventory site -- which shows vehicles in the build phase -- to find something that matches what they want.

 

[Dphotos]

My daily driver is my 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited which I bought new and it was ordered through a Toyota dealer here in Southern California. It took a few months to get. I was planning on getting a new 2025 4Runner Limited with a hybrid engine in a few months. I am on an allocation list from the same dealer I bought in 1997. I want the darker Grey exterior with the Portobellotan interior. I see the Portobello tan interior is not available in the Platinum, TRD Pro or Trail Hunter. I have no clue why the Portobello tan interior is not offered. I can see customers wanting to special order that interior color in the 3 vehicles I mentioned. I wonder if Toyota would allow that kind of special order?

 

[WKTJR1]

My daily driver is my 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited which I bought new and it was ordered through a Toyota dealer here in Southern California. It took a few months to get. I was planning on getting a new 2025 4Runner Limited with a hybrid engine in a few months. I am on an allocation list from the same dealer I bought in 1997. I want the darker Grey exterior with the Portobellotan interior. I see the Portobello tan interior is not available in the Platinum, TRD Pro or Trail Hunter. I have no clue why the Portobello tan interior is not offered. I can see customers wanting to special order that interior color in the 3 vehicles I mentioned. I wonder if Toyota would allow that kind of special order?

I doubt it.