Parts lookup with your VIN

Stumbled across these two sites; surely there are others. They are NOT affiliated with Toyota but apparently get data from them. And in at least one case, they don't actually sell parts. (So if you see prices listed, ignore them.)

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/ << that one was suggested by one of the Toyota dealers online

Here's the other I found: http://toyota-usa.epc-data.com (goto their home page for even broader searches, including other brands.)

OK, so ... WHY?

Car dealers online don't always use the best database interface and that's pretty much all these sites are, is specialized databases. Yeah, it's kind of a two-step process to have to get the part # and then Google it or input it into your dealer's site.

Practical example:
I found a part # online for something ... in the wrong color (grey vs. tan interior) and the dealer's site offered no easy way to find the other color without starting all over again and hopefully finding it. Both sites above narrowed it down (even from the start) pretty quickly.

 

Can this thread be stickied?

Very useful sites, IMO. http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/q.html <<-- let's you search for parts specific to your VIN. It will also break down the VIN and give you the general information such as where vehicle was made, what engine you have, etc.

 

@DW85 posted a link to a what appears to be a very useful site with illustrations:

https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/locate?c=Toyota

(Post #4 of the ToyoDIY.com thread)