Want to lift it real bad but I am afraid.... (lifts voiding warranty)

[sikocycles]

Gals and guys with lifted FJs. What did you dealers say about the lifts. I know there are topics about voiding warranties but what are the dealer really saying.
Thanks and don't kill me

[cvsneed]

Just Do It. I Have The 3" Donahoe In The Front And The 3" Old Man Emu In The Back. I Love It. My Fj Actually Bottomed Out On An Easy Trail Sefore The Lift. Now No Problem. Plus It Just Looks So Cool And Rides Great. I Was Worried About Installation But A Locally Tire Shop And Realighn The Fj For $200.

[Tranman]

Just do it!!! you probably won't have to take the FJ in for any warranty work anyways. The only things they don't have to warranty are the parts you switched out. Or if a failure is cause by the parts you switched out.

You don't possibly think that they won't fix a leaky roof cuz you lifted it do you? You'll be fine. LIFT LIFT LIFT

[Noisycow]

I can think of very little warranty denial issues related to a body lift. The FJ really does need a 3" lift. It is just right imo. If you are into just basic 4x4 light duty and posing the Revtek or similar lift is great.

Tranman - called Capitol Toyota and McMinnville ... and Gresham ... no one has a basic/CQ FJ in Silver or Blue ... yet ... if you see one in the PDX area please let me know. The dealer on McLaughlin said they have a basic silver there - I rushed over and it had tons of extras, rr, fancy rims, $31k

[1983FJ60]

I am neither a lawyer nor a Toyota rep, but I can definately tell you that a mass market available lift (and a reasonable 2-3'' lift) installed by professionals won't give you ANY warranty issues aside from the fact that the actual lift kit parts won't be replaced by Toyota if they break--so that's why I like spacer kits, since you essentially retain most of the stock suspension.

In either case lift away, read the threads on the lifts, make sure the tires you install fit without rubbing, and go wheelin.

edit: sleepy, can't write good.

[sikocycles]

So I am thinking of a ARB bumper and OME lift kit. The problem is the dealers in CT are such buttholes they will do anything to screw you and not do warranty work.

[ruebarb]

It doesn't make sense that a dealer wouldn't want to do warrenty work, that's good cash in the pocket from Toyota. I would think the dealer wants warrenty work. Maybe I'm wrong.

[sikocycles]

I think its just the way they are around here. I guess I will see

[Valkyrie]

Don't worry about it.

Get familiar with this: Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act

Basically, the burden of proof is on the dealer to prove that the modifications/parts installed are directly responsible for the failure.

I.E. A suspension system cannot be blamed for the air conditioning, but a case can be made that oversize tires contributed to a transmission failure.

Each dealership's Service Manager can interpret the data as they wish, which is why Toyota provides a system for arbitrating complaints.

My advice is to discuss your concerns with your service manager prior to installing the suspension.

He may want to install at the dealership- this is certainly not required, but if that's what it takes to avoid a conflict he may tie your hands. If he seems difficult to begin with, interview several service managers until you find one that is cool.

It helps if you are a regular customer

[1983FJ60]

Valkyrie previously said:

but a case can be made that oversize tires contributed to a transmission failure.

But how much of a case?

I've always had issues with the more esoteric elements of warranty law because there are common sense mods and there are idiot mods--and the default answer service managers give is "if it's not the way you bought it, we won't cover it" which is no more true than demanding a warranty coverage for a sky high lift that screwed up the angle of the driveshafts and rubbed the tires against the frame untilt they melted.