2007 V8 hitch issue

[swordfencer]

Hello everybody,

This is my first post here, and I am in the market for a 4Runner. At this moment, I am waiting on a 2007 4Runner V8 4X4 Sport. However, last moneth when I went to the dealer, the fleet manager told me that all V8 4Runners are currently being held up at the port. He said they told him there is an issue with the tow hitch and that they are awaiting parts. It has been 3 weeks now and no vehicle. I am wondering if anybody has heard of this and what it could be.

Thanks!

 

[toto]

I know there are very few (if any) V8's on lots in Chicagoland right now, but I'm not sure why. Of the dealers who have their inventory on the Internet, none have a V8.

The sales guy at my local dealer said it's impossible to keep a V8 on the lot. That's nice to hear, but the hitch thing seems more plausible!

 

[leftyrb]

There may be rear fascia change in 2007, requiring a different hitch than previous years.

I had the Hidden Hitch 7500 lb WD installed on my '04. When I considered a trade to a new 4Runner I had called Hidden Hitch to see if I could install the same hitch on a newer model, as the hitch I had was discontinued. They said it would work on a '05 and possibly an '06, but I believe they indicated a change to the rear fascia in 2007 requiring a different hitch.

 

[toto]

The rear bumper changed from 2005 to 2006. The 2007 should be the same as the 2006, assuming the "new model info" bulletin is correct. (It says all that changed for 2007 is the electronic mirror and they added some DTC codes to the computer.)

 

[007Runner]

The new model information is correct. A minor rear view mirror button change, and some new computer codes. There is no hold up because of a hitch problem. There have always been more V6 engine models produced then V8. Just like there are many more sport models then limited models produced. 4Runners with the navigation system are the rarest of all.

Sales people love to say we cant keep this in stock. (then they add some untruthful reason). Don't forget the ever popular several other people want this vehicle and I expect one of them will be putting a deposit down so better hurry.

 

[TRBenj]

The new model information is correct. A minor rear view mirror button change, and some new computer codes.

Where can I get more info about these minor changes?

It seems that the V8's dont usually hit the lots until sometime in January, at least in the northeast. FWIW, several dealers I spoke to at the end of December claimed they were unable to get pricing info on the 2007 V8's. Others were able to quote me prices, however.

 

[007Runner]

Where can I get more info about these minor changes?

It seems that the V8's dont usually hit the lots until sometime in January, at least in the northeast. FWIW, several dealers I spoke to at the end of December claimed they were unable to get pricing info on the 2007 V8's. Others were able to quote me prices, however.

I am in the North East as well. I saw the V8 engines trickle in around October. I was able to get pricing early September because that is when I placed my special order, should be here in about 5 to 8 days. Talk to the INTERNET sales manager not the regular sales people. You don't need to research the changes from 06 to 07 because they were extremely minor and we already told you everything about the changes. Toyota Press Room announced the changes if you want to see the press release.
How do you like our super mild winter? I cooked steaks on the grill yesterday in a T shirt in our normally sub zero January!!!

 

[swordfencer]

There may be rear fascia change in 2007, requiring a different hitch than previous years.

I had the Hidden Hitch 7500 lb WD installed on my '04. When I considered a trade to a new 4Runner I had called Hidden Hitch to see if I could install the same hitch on a newer model, as the hitch I had was discontinued. They said it would work on a '05 and possibly an '06, but I believe they indicated a change to the rear fascia in 2007 requiring a different hitch.

I talked to the dealer again this weekend. From what little he says they are telling him, the port indicated something about increasing the towing capacity of the hitch. Again, he is not certain.

Thanks for the replies. I will keep this thread updated as soon as I find out more.

 

[TRBenj]

I am in the North East as well. I saw the V8 engines trickle in around October. I was able to get pricing early September because that is when I placed my special order, should be here in about 5 to 8 days. Talk to the INTERNET sales manager not the regular sales people. You don't need to research the changes from 06 to 07 because they were extremely minor and we already told you everything about the changes. Toyota Press Room announced the changes if you want to see the press release.
How do you like our super mild winter? I cooked steaks on the grill yesterday in a T shirt in our normally sub zero January!!!

I placed my special order at the end of December. Everything Ive read said no changes from 2006-2007, so Id be interested in reading the press release- I cant find anything on the Toyota Press Room site. Got a link?

Although it sucks for skiing, this mild winter makes it easier to wait on the 4Runner. If we were getting bombarded with snow I sure would be missing 4WD.

 

[Kr4ster]

I'm down in the SE and ran into a similar problem.. I sat down and went through the options and came up with a SE V8 4x4 that I wanted.. I went to a few dealers and no one had one. In fact, we couldn't find a V8 4x4 in Shadow Mica for sale anywhere.. So I got the dealer to include one in their next batch order and it should be here between the end of this month and next..

I didn't get a reason out of the dealer as to why the delay or lack of inventory, but the timing works out, so I'm not terribly worried.

 

[Fro-Runner]

Could this hold up be because of the new redesigned Ford Exploder or GM's GMT Trailfaker platforms increasing their towing capacity?
Did the Toyota engineers know all along that the V8 in the 4Runner could tow more than the 7500 lbs currently advertised?
Is this a market ploy to cause a shortage of V8 powered Toyota vehicles just in time to increase the sales success of the new, more powerful Tundra pickup coming in February and March?
I'd check to see if the 2007 Sequoias were being held up at the port also. They use the same type of tow hitch with and V8 engine as in the Runner. Redesign of one might cause the redesign of all hitches that Toyota uses.

Ummmm, sounds as if Toyota is living up to its TV ad campaign.........."Moving Forward"! But with what and for what!

In order to reach the top you have to keep "Moving Forward" and Toyota is doing just that. I feel confident that even if the tow hitch is not really the hold up; then Toyota has a good, valid reason for their actions.

 

[Dracord]

I have a 2007 V8 Sport Edition and never heard anything about the tow hitch problem, it was just hard to find one

 

[Light_Mania]

This could be something that the regional distributor does at the port, not a Toyota Factory thing. It might not even be a Toyota factory hitch, but a less expensive aftermarket one that the dealer and distributor make a bigger profit on. Just a guess. I know in my region the distributor puts a cheesy plastic wind deflector (aka leaf and dirt accumulator) on all sunroof model T4R and charges $70 for it - and it isn't optional if you have a sunroof.

 

[sfla4runner]

Toyota may be allocating the 4.7 to the new Tundra in order to get them spooled up. The majority of the Tundras will, more than likely, be equipped with the 4.7 vs. 5.7, at least initially. The Sequioa only has the V8 as an engine, while the 4Runner is available with the V6, so more that likely they are only producing the V6 Runner. Just my thoughts.

 

[007Runner]

This could be something that the regional distributor does at the port, not a Toyota Factory thing. It might not even be a Toyota factory hitch, but a less expensive aftermarket one that the dealer and distributor make a bigger profit on. Just a guess. I know in my region the distributor puts a cheesy plastic wind deflector (aka leaf and dirt accumulator) on all sunroof model T4R and charges $70 for it - and it isn't optional if you have a sunroof.

The trailer hitch is standard from the factory on the V8 engine. If a dealer was going to put that wind deflector thing on my 4Runner, I would tell him straight up don't put that crap on my 4Runner. If he still insisted I would walk.

 

[swordfencer]

Just an update, talked to the dealer this weekend. Turns out the 4Runner got put on a ship to go back to Japan. He is supposed to get back to me when he finds out when he is going to get more. This is really wierd.

I figure maybe next week or so I am going to go on AAA and go through their purchasing program and have them find one for me.

Thanks for everybody's help. I hope we can find out what is going on.

 

[SciRunner]

Wow that's really odd...sounds very shady on the dealers part. Normall cars are not shipped back to Japan. Did you put a deposit? If so you can always get the entire amount back. There are four Sport V8 4WD on CarMax lot in Maryland.

 

[Grreatdog]

What is going on is that the dealer is yanking your chain. I suspect that he can't get what you want but still wants to keep you in his stealership.

It is way past time to find a new dealer. I see a lot of cars come off the RoRo's in Baltimore Harbor. But I have yet to see one go back on.

They don't send cars back to Japan. If you put down a deposit then you need to get it back.

 

[LP_4Runner]

The dealer doesn't usually put those additional items on the vehicle...the distributor does (and the dealers themselves often have very little choice in the matter). All Toyota vehicles built in Japan are processed through regional distributors, and this is a holdback from the original days of Toyota's importing into the US. That system has remained in place even though in reality it just isn't necessary anymore. The regional distributors decide (sometimes with very little dealer input) what stock models to order and with what options. In addition, they will often add additional "upsell" items to vehicles as "port options". Dealers may request port options on incoming vehicles or delete them at will, but this is often only done for vehicles ordered though the distributor for special purposes (i.e., the customer "special order").

The limited availability of V8 engines is due to a number of factors including the new Tundra release making a good number of them allocated for that vehicle. In addition, the 4Runner has historically had a fairly small V8 "buy in" -- customers tend to opt for the V6 by a very large percentage margin. The performance difference between the two engines in this vehicle is one of the smaller spreads that is seen on this type and many customers do not perceive a huge difference between the two (and in fact for the most part and for most people, there isn't).

Vehicles are NEVER shipped back to Japan. Ever. It isn't cost-effective for any purpose. Problem vehicles are repaired in port or in a worst-case scenario they can actually be scrapped. I suspect your dealer's allocation isn't sufficient to get the vehicle you want right now so he is stringing you along until he can.

 

[OUTRNNR]

What is going on is that the dealer is yanking your chain. I suspect that he can't get what you want but still wants to keep you in his stealership.

It is way past time to find a new dealer. I see a lot of cars come off the RoRo's in Baltimore Harbor. But I have yet to see one go back on.

They don't send cars back to Japan. If you put down a deposit then you need to get it back.

I agree. I believe you are getting what we call, "The Runaround".

I'd find somewhere else to shop if I were you...