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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[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.

 

[TRD_GUY]

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

I wouldn't go that far. I'd only buy what I am interested in and generally won't settle, just because others might.

 

[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.