Realistic lead time and constraints?

[Canucklesammich]

The problem with a lot of average dealers is that they really don't want to do factory orders because the lead time on their commission is longer than the average tenure of a lot salesman. As a result you tend to get a lot of misinformation, because frankly they'd rather steer you into something they have already or they can get easier. Then you get to this forum, where it's mostly anecdotal evidence regarding build times and waits. Based on what I've seen monitoring this forum, Jeep wait times are a bell shaped curve, there are several folks waiting since October, November, December on orders that the system has seemingly lost track of, though each week at least one long lead comes through. On the other end there have been about a dozen or so "four week wonders" which might be the result of the forum members having incriminating photos of the Stellantis CEO with barnyard animals.

For your example above, a 2-Door Rubicon with a manual transmission, what your salesman said is hogwash, at least based on my personal experience. On Feb. 14th I ordered a 2-Door Manual Transmission Rubicon with pretty much all factory line options (those options that have to be built on the assembly line and cannot be added later). That Jeep was built in four and a half weeks. It then spent another week and a half with the body vendor getting a couple things installed that I could have done myself - rookie mistake on my part.

After it's built you have the shipping delay. Anything going on a train is a crapshoot these days due in no small part to transportation industry issues. Again, the anecdotal evidence is that to get your Jeep on a train add four weeks. So to summarize, I'm going to lay out Gator's Jeep Order Rules Of Life:

Rule #1: Order what you want, most people don't buy Jeeps all the time, so don't worry about getting an el-strippo build just to eliminate that mythical option package that "everyone says" is back ordered to Shanghai. There's no possible way to tell what the constraints on options availability are, so order what makes you happy. Jeep suppliers all work towards producing enough parts to build about 200K Jeeps per year, chances are good that parts will be available for your particular build.

Rule #2: Avoid the additional Mopar options that will detour your Jeep into the body vendor. If you can buy the parts yourself there's no reason to wait on Jeep getting those for you. Floor Mats, Trail Ready Kits and Grab Handles, those things that anyone can add later.

Rule #2 Corollary: If you are handy with tools and not afraid to wrench on your new baby, some parts are easy to install in the comfort of your own garage, such as the tailgate reinforcement kit. Doing it yourself will also save time. The goal is to keep the Jeep out of their garage, and into your garage.

Rule #3: If you can, order from a dealership that's within trucking distance of Toledo. If you can eliminate a train ride, you can save yourself three or four weeks. Remember, once the train arrives at the station, they *still* need to put your Jeep on a truck to get it the last mile to the dealer.

Rule #4: Assume this is going to be a four month process. Most Jeeps will come through in 8 to 12 weeks, but if you prepare for a 16 week slog you just might be pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Jeep in my avatar in 2006 and so far my 2022 JL has beaten the wait times at every stage of the build, not bad considering the times we are living in now.

Hope that helps...

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. Now, where to find those incriminating photos?
As to your rules: #1-check, #2-check, #2 corollary- not applicable yet, #3- definitely not applicable, #4- I hope so, tho there's nothing I can do except shop for what I want to add & continue to peruse the forum.
Thanks to all for their responses.

Sponsored

 

[Brsox]

I did the Bronco reservation, early 2021 order, and MY22 reorder. Might show up sometime in mid to late 2023 based on current info.

Ordered a JLUR on 2/22/22, it was delivered last week, and I’m picking it up Saturday. Leather seats, safety group, advanced safety group, LED lights, HD electrical/tow, cold weather, integrated trail cam.

It's crazy how Ford lost total control with the Bronco orders and Jeep, for the most part, has kept things together. I'm going on 5 months since my Bronco order with zero communication or updates. I ordered my Wrangler on the 14th and literally got my VIN today.....6 days later!!!!

 

[Brsox]

FWIW I ordered today with the GM through a very reputable dealer who talked me out of ordering any Mopar accessories because he believes that's a common cause for delay...

For some reason, based on my build, my dealer told me that I had to include the plastic door sill guards. Has anyone heard of that? I've heard small, stupid accessories like this can actually hold up an order.,

 

[TheBirdie72]

On the other end there have been about a dozen or so "four week wonders" which might be the result of the forum members having incriminating photos of the Stellantis CEO with barnyard animals.

Yes!!!

 

[Powelligator]

For some reason, based on my build, my dealer told me that I had to include the plastic door sill guards. Has anyone heard of that? I've heard small, stupid accessories like this can actually hold up an order.,

With all due respect, your dealer is smoking crack. I know of no orderable combination of options that forces the plastic door sill guards. You can buy them, Part Number

for $42 from any number of discount Mopar parts sources.

For a while about a month or two ago, the Mopar Floor Mats were very difficult to obtain in the aftermarket, which was an indication that factory orders with that option were being held up, but since then a boat must have unloaded cargo because you can find them anywhere now, even amazon.

 

[Brsox]

With all due respect, your dealer is smoking crack. I know of no orderable combination of options that forces the plastic door sill guards. You can buy them, Part Number

for $42 from any number of discount Mopar parts sources.

For a while about a month or two ago, the Mopar Floor Mats were very difficult to obtain in the aftermarket, which was an indication that factory orders with that option were being held up, but since then a boat must have unloaded cargo because you can find them anywhere now, even amazon.

Yeah....it sounded pretty weird. I do remember when I was doing my build online and I selected the cargo tub accessory, I think it made me select the door sill guards as well? I did have that in my build but my dealer said the cargo tub was actually an accessory that was holding things up. I told them to remove the tub and maybe it was still forcing the sill guards at that point? No big deal as it's a $100 option and I guess they'll be good to have. I wish dealers actually knew more about these things than they do.

 

[TheNewGuy]

For some reason, based on my build, my dealer told me that I had to include the plastic door sill guards. Has anyone heard of that? I've heard small, stupid accessories like this can actually hold up an order.,

It's very unlikely that accessories that can be easily added later (sill guards, mats etc) will hold up an order. The mats were on restriction when I ordered my 2 door so I couldn't even order them. But Central had them in stock when I took delivery so they gave me 25% off and installed them.
There were many posts here around that time showing window stickers that had the mats deleted with a credit for the price.
Think of it from Jeeps perspective, does it make any sense for them to hold up their assembly line for things like floor mats and sill guards?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

The problem with a lot of average dealers is that they really don't want to do factory orders because the lead time on their commission is longer than the average tenure of a lot salesman.

While probably true under normal circumstances, currently there is not much inventory on the lots and all dealers are pushing factory orders so they can at least sell something.

 

[4Runfun]

What is a realistic lead time these days when ordering a Wrangler? And are there particular options that are currently constrained and will hold up your order? Are FCA dealers limited by dealer allocation and can that hold up your build as well? I ordered on 4/14 and my dealer, pretty confidently told me I could expect my Jeep in 12 weeks "but probably sooner."

I ask because I've been through the huge sh*t show of the Bronco rollout. I ordered a Bronco on 12/8/21. I was confidently told that my Bronco would be delivered in 4-6 months. Long story short, without boring you with the details, apparently, 90% of the options I've selected are constraints, I've received zero communication from Ford, zero communication from my dealer and a "we couldn't care less" attitude from my salesperson. I don't have a build date or a VIN at this point. The last time I tried to get some kind of update, my salesperson told me that the dealership had no way of accessing any kind of info or getting any type of update and that when I heard from Ford through an email, I'd be the first to know. Then she said that someone who works at the dealership has been waiting 14 months so I shouldn't expect it anytime soon....then she laughed. They won't give any info on their allocation numbers or how many orders they actually have and where I stand in line. Yada Yada Yada.....I've ordered a Wrangler at 1% under invoice vs a Bronco at MSRP and Ford can kiss my a**. I WANT a new vehicle. I don't NEED one. Ford is turning out some amazing products these days. Good luck actually getting one.

I ordered my Bronco 6/20/21 - got pushed to MY22 Ordered again October 2021 - No movement, Dealer Allocation is low, I won't see it. Ordered a Wrangler at 5% below Invoice on 4/11/22 and hoping I'll have it before August

 

[Brsox]

I ordered my Bronco 6/20/21 - got pushed to MY22 Ordered again October 2021 - No movement, Dealer Allocation is low, I won't see it. Ordered a Wrangler at 5% below Invoice on 4/11/22 and hoping I'll have it before August

So Jeep is playing the same allocation game as Ford I see. That's the only thing that has me worried. The dealership I ordered from is very small. I'm seeing people that got their Jeep in 8 weeks and some that are waiting 8 months.

 

[KAB96F]

With all due respect, your dealer is smoking crack. I know of no orderable combination of options that forces the plastic door sill guards. You can buy them, Part Number

for $42 from any number of discount Mopar parts sources.

For a while about a month or two ago, the Mopar Floor Mats were very difficult to obtain in the aftermarket, which was an indication that factory orders with that option were being held up, but since then a boat must have unloaded cargo because you can find them anywhere now, even amazon.

Actually, I think when ordering the tub, you have to choose door sill guards in plastic or stainless... Stupid Jeep stuff ?

 

[Traveller128]

Weirdly, some of the orders we've seen the quickest turn-around on have been two door six speeds.

Order what you want, but *do* be prepared to wait that six-to-eight months, as while you *might* get it sooner, that timeframe is not unlikely at all.

2 door 6 speed Willys (Sport S version) ordered mid-December and received mid-March here. One day shy of 14 weeks from order to delivery.

Ordered Snazzberry a month before they discontinued it, so maybe they were clearing out the paint guns. Seems there were a fair number of that color built around the time ours was.

 

[Traveller128]

Yeah....it sounded pretty weird. I do remember when I was doing my build online and I selected the cargo tub accessory, I think it made me select the door sill guards as well? I did have that in my build but my dealer said the cargo tub was actually an accessory that was holding things up. I told them to remove the tub and maybe it was still forcing the sill guards at that point? No big deal as it's a $100 option and I guess they'll be good to have. I wish dealers actually knew more about these things than they do.

That's why. The cargo tub or the door sills, trigger the other one. Cargo tub and plastic door sills are tied together on some models. The grab handles are separate.

We have the tub and the plastic sills on our Willys.

 

[Deleted member 72291]

It's very unlikely that accessories that can be easily added later (sill guards, mats etc) will hold up an order. The mats were on restriction when I ordered my 2 door so I couldn't even order them. But Central had them in stock when I took delivery so they gave me 25% off and installed them.
There were many posts here around that time showing window stickers that had the mats deleted with a credit for the price.
Think of it from Jeeps perspective, does it make any sense for them to hold up their assembly line for things like floor mats and sill guards?

Actually, those accessories like the grab handles, door sill guards, the all weather mats actually do hold up or delay an order anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. It’s because those accessories are not added on the assembly line.

Once the Jeep’s are initially built, if a customer has ordered those accessories, they truck the Jeep from the Toledo assembly plant to a Mopar facility nearby where those accessories are added then truck it back to the plant as the shipping point. It can take up to two weeks at the Mopar facility, plus time for transport, then the Jeep is waiting again for delivery transport.

 

[TheNewGuy]

Actually, those accessories like the grab handles, door sill guards, the all weather mats actually do hold up or delay an order anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. It’s because those accessories are not added on the assembly line.

Once the Jeep’s are initially built, if a customer has ordered those accessories, they truck the Jeep from the Toledo assembly plant to a Mopar facility nearby where those accessories are added then truck it back to the plant as the shipping point. It can take up to two weeks at the Mopar facility, plus time for transport, then the Jeep is waiting again for delivery transport.

I realize that the accessories are done off-site. I should have said that if the accessories aren't available at the time the Jeep is built, they'll just ship it without them rather than have it sit waiting for stock. As I mentioned, they did exactly that with the floor mats

Sponsored