20% off Toyota Parts - suggestions?

At participating dealers, online checkout the discount will be automatically applied. Happening through 7/8.

Any suggestions on OEM parts to snap up during the discount?

Can't find the OEM TB/WP kit, don't think I need it either(?) when I can get Aisin.

 

Got any suspension related parts you haven't replaced yet? Ball joints, outer tie rods, lower control arms and hardware. Other ideas, serpentine belt tensioner, idler pulley, thermostat, radiator hoses, steering shaft seal, vacuum hoses if dry rotted, window trim molding.

And yes, I'd skip the timing belt kit and order from Rock Auto.

 

I like to load up on stuff like filters (oil and air), PCV, gaskets and seals, caps like oil, radiator, gas. Sometimes big ticket items like coil packs, control arms, ball joints, skid plates, crap like that will save you a lot of coin. Pull handles for doors, latches for windows. Headlights if you want to go OEM. EDIT: Last big sale I got a new power steering fluid reservoir, and new bumper step plastics (left and right only, center was too spendy)

 

Do you guys have an online dealer you're using and would recommend? I might like to place some order today too.

 

Does anyone have any inkling of how long nationwide backorders last, particularly for the steering gear shortage? Also, is it a near certainty the new rack will be available in the near future? I need to replace my steering rack and am aware that several members have been on the list, probably on more than one online Toyota site and then cancelled their order due to wait time. Also, that DA rack and pinions are an option - was trying to hold out for TMC parts but not sure the R&P will last.

I am hoping that a sourdough who has tracked these things over time could provide some valuable insight to help moving forward.

 

Serra, specifically the Birmingham AL location is pretty popular; avoid the Decatur location, since Eric F is a douchebag who can't own up to mistakes he's responsible for. https://autoparts.serratoyota.com/

Ourisman is popular for some: https://toyotaparts.ourismantoyotaofrichmond.com/

Toyota Parts Overstock is not a bad operation to deal with (Toyota of Lakeland FL): https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/

 

Last time I ordered from Toyota Parts Overstock, they told me they can typically resolve backorders within 1-2 weeks, sometimes as few as 3-5 business days. When the reman axle backorders were happening, many people were getting theirs within 3-4 weeks, sometimes as much as 6-8 weeks. I think one of the last people who ordered a reman rack on here waited several weeks before it shipped. That said, if you buy new (if available) instead of reman, it'll cost 2-3x but some have found it in-stock immediately. If the reman part number ends in "-48", take the dash and 48 off the end of the part number and you'll have the non-reman part number typically.

 

Thanks, Shifty. a few more questions, what are the odds that an intermediate shaft will be needed? I can't seem to find a part number for my 04 AC but may be using the wrong name. Also, is there a recommended PS pump replacement? I believe the TMC pumps are discontinued?

 

I can only half-ass answer the 1st question in that I've only seen one person on here (that I remember, but my memory is old and fucked) who'd bothered to replace theirs. "If it ain't broke" maybe applies, maybe that's just one of those parts that doesn't break. The steering shaft seal, on the other hand, is another story.

For part numbers, use the bulleted points at the top of this sticky to find your part. After you plug in your VIN and search, click on "Transmission & Chassis". Then click on "STEERING COLUMN & SHAFT" to get to the diagram you need. Under the picture, click on "Open full size schema" to see the picture, then click on the number next to the part you need, and it'll plop the part number out at the top of the next page that loads.

PS pump ... another part that rarely fails. But constantly has ppl complain about it moaning as if it's failing. A little fabric softener in the reservoir is said to calm the moaning down. Note these trucks take Dex3 or higher ATF, not power steering fluid. Both are hydraulic oils, but Toyota calls for ATF.

 

Oh man, I thought it was just me… I ordered from Decatur and they (Eric F) ordered the wrong part and tried to gaslight me into saying I ordered a part that didn’t belong to my truck. Then I had to send back the part at my expense. I didn’t get a refund, so I had to follow up 2 weeks later asking for the refund by providing proof of delivery. Without a doubt, the worst experience I’ve had ordering from a dealership. Highly recommend avoiding ordering from Decatur as well! What’s hilarious is that the return shipping address was not correct and had the wrong zip code (I had to find the real address).

The best result I’ve had has been to shop around using the Toyota dealership finder and manually comparing the prices. The advantage of this approach is that you save on shipping and shipping times. If you’re lucky and you live close enough, you could do a local pick up and avoid shipping altogether! The disadvantage may be that the parts may not be available for order or their prices could be slightly higher, but when factored for shipping, it’s actually cheaper.

 

Yeah, in my case, I ordered 4 different splash aprons for my truck. I got 4 bagged parts, each bag with different part numbers as expected, but two of the splash aprons were the same part (i.e. they bagged two of the same parts using baggies with different part number labels).

Eric Francis at Serra Toyota of Decatur basically failed to own up, I sent him pics of each unopened bag, clearly showing different shaped parts inside, with the "RR" "R" "L" and "LL" punchouts Toyota cuts out of the aprons to show two of them had the same letters, and were bagged with different part number tags. Eric blamed everyone else, including Toyota of America. Tried to claim they misbagged it before shipping and he needed to contact them for support.

This went on for the better part of two months, me emailing him every 7-10 days for updates. That fuckface ran me thru the ringer, and when I called him out on the shit, he finally told me something like, "ship the part back and we'll ship you the right part", I forget. Either way, I didn't trust him at this point after fucking me around, and screwing over two other members in short order.

I ended up ordering for pickup from my nearest participating dealership for a couple bucks more. When I went in to pick up the part, I asked to talk to the parts manager, who'd been working parts counters at Toyota dealerships for the better part of 15 years. I showed him the emails Eric Francis sent me, directly and dude was visibly pissed off. "This is bullshit, he's lying. Toyota doesn't bag these parts and send to them. This is a screwup on his end and he doesn't want to own up to it. You don't have to shop with us in the future, but I wouldn't shop with these guys again..."

Long story short: Avoid Serra Toyota of Decatur for parts. Serra of Birmingham seems to be OK, but as long as Eric Francis is working at the Decatur location, you're risking your hard-earned dollars on a shady fuckwit who can't own up to his/his team's mistakes.

 

Awful. After dealing with this guy, this doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.

I initially called their parts department to request a refund and all I got was “just send a message to the email on the website.” Great, thanks for the help! On the flip side, I accidentally ordered a wrong part from a local dealership, they called me a few days later to ensure this was the part I wanted, at which I realized it was wrong. They then voided the order, told me to reorder with the correct part, and it was then delivered 2-3 days later. Now THAT’S what I call customer service.