Vehicle shown is modified with non-genuine Toyota parts and accessories. Modifications with these non-genuine Toyota parts and accessories will void Toyota warranty, may negatively impact vehicle performance and safety and may not be street legal. Off-roading is inherently risky.
This post is for informational purposes only, read at your own risk............legally, you have been warned by Toyota in the "fine print"
In other words, I think it's up to "us" to figure this one out.
Who has the language on the law about the modification has to be proven to of caused the failure in order to void the warranty?
Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. This might be something Toyota will knock out the park. Fix it right and improve the next round of vehicles.
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"I'd like to die in my sleep like my grandfather. Not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car."
they do discourage these types of things..... And embrace them at the same time. Whats a guy to do.
My point exactly.
However, the double standard of discouraging aftermarket equipment and/or off-road usage on one hand . . . . but yet promoting trucks that are so-equipped and advertising them as being extremely capable of off-roading on the other, would not be considered responsible marketing . . . . especially from a reputable company like Toyota.
I guess we'll have to wait and see how Toyota does approach this.
Yeah, Toyota discourages modifying vehicles, other manufacturers do too, but that doesn't make up for the fact that it could be a flaw, imo. We have all heard that Toyota now considers the FJ their most capable off road vehicle, and they sponsor the FJ Trail Team, so they know what it was designed for and what people will do to them.
Do Land Cruisers, Jeeps, Hummers, etc... have this problem? We all know the drivers of these vehicles do the exact same thing we do to our FJs.
Yeah, Toyota discourages modifying vehicles, other manufacturers do too, but that doesn't make up for the fact that it could be a flaw, imo. We have all heard that Toyota now considers the FJ their most capable off road vehicle, and they sponsor the FJ Trail Team, so they know what it was designed for and what people will do to them.
Do Land Cruisers, Jeeps, Hummers, etc... have this problem? We all know the drivers of these vehicles do the exact same thing we do to our FJs.
Any thoughts on the warn and/or Arb bumper being very stiff and making the frame stiffer and the body taking the flex over the frame. Is this a possiblity?
partman,
i don't think that the bumper adds rigidity on torsion stiffness to the frame. There are massive cross members on the original frame already...
Promise?? His gorgeous face brightens my day every morning with a good chuckle, and reminds me that life isn't so bad after all (if I actually looked like you) . . . . .
Promise?? His gorgeous face brightens my day every morning with a good chuckle, and reminds me that life isn't so bad after all (if I actually looked like you) . . . . .
I guess the loveable galoot has that affect on people.
I have started to see the commercials for their sitcom on ABC.
All I can say is WOW!!!! This thread kept getting longer and longer as I was reading it. Thanks to everyone for making this into a "visible" (literally and figuratively) issue.
For the record, no issue for me w/Demello, OME 885 & 895, 255/85/16's, no "air time" (well, I did lift driver front wheel in Wedgy but that doesn't count as real air time). But, man did I REALLY give it a close inspection, cleaned, dusted, magnafluxed (kidding)...No bulging or visible cracking and used my daughters "young" eyes to verify.
In as much as I think it is not a warranty situation at this point, I do agree that it is important to document with your local dealer as well as keeping records on when it appeared (or you first noticed it) and how it progresses for it may become a warranty situation in the future.
Cause - hard to say at this point. I think that valid points have been made on all counts and speculation is all we really have at this point. I think that the bumper/body interaction may exacerbate the situation but is not the initial cause as others have stated. As noted, the Demello is a "tight" bumper and I don't see any evidence of rubbing on mine though it may be happening without leaving any evidence. Also, I have to agree that it seems like most of the aftermarket bumpers should help stiffen the frame at the front with the heavier/stronger and presumably, stiffer bumper. Maybe this assumption is wrong and that little stock, square piece of steel offered a great deal of strength, who knows?
Once again, this forum is proving a valuable and respected source to truly help other owners of this vehicle. I appreciate how well this thread has stayed on track (for the most part) and provided critical information, thanks...
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Sun Fusion 4X4 AT ATRAC Hack'd
Demello sliders
Demello front bumper w/Warn M8000
Demello rear bumper
OME 886/140 Front, 895/N71e rear
All-Pro rear links w/bracket skids
Inchworm Lefty
ARB front air locker
Nitro 4.88 gears
Bud Built skids front to back
Super Swamper SSR 35 X 10.5
Safari Snorkel
ARB Full Rack w/wind deflector
Train Hard, Rest Harder
TLCA # 17784
I guess the loveable galoot has that affect on people.