Level and Lift vs Warranty

Hi everyone I did I quick browse and couldn't find a specific thread related to a leveling and lift in regards to warranty work and was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction to a thread or has insight. I would like to add a leveling kit with a 1" lift to my 2023 TRD ORP and was wondering if that is going to void my warranty? Has anyone had it installed through the dealership to keep the warranty valid? If so what was the cost on that? Also I would love to see some photos of a runner with a leveling lift if you have a before and after photo, I'm sure there are some tire upgrades too after a lift so feel free to share the tire/rim upgrades as well! I'm looking inspiration as well as wanting to make sure I don't mess with my warranty. For reference I'm picking up my 2023 Lunar Rock TRD ORP with the Predator package upgrades this evening. So I'm starting with that off the lot and planning to modify as I go.

 

If it affects warranty, I'll never know. I did that early on, and have never been back to the dealership in the 4 years since.

 

Anything after market you do can let the dealer void warranty if a problem happens. Unlikely to happen doing a leveling lift but a risk you take once starting to make changes.

Recent thread on leveling lift with pics:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/leveled-my-4runner-came-out-perfect.32542/#post-467363

Tires are usually a starting point for many depending on how you use the vehicle. A good AT tire will change the appearance giving more aggressive look. Depending on how aggressive the tire the more trade offs occur with pavement performance. Up to you how the truck is used and what look your going for. Congrats on the new truck.

 

Here's a guy with a 2 inch leveling kit and warranty voided.

 

Technically, they have to prove that your modification caused the problem. In reality, it does not work that way. A level could void the warranty on anything related (suspension, parts of the drivetrain, etc.). They shouldn't even try to void your whole warranty but some dealers may try. In the end, some dealers are more mod friendly than others and will work with you if something that could be related has an issue while others will try to void the whole warranty so you have to pay out of pocket (which pays them more than warranty work).

 

Moss magnuson.

 

Hope this email I got from the dealership help you with the question. This is the response I got about getting the lift this dealership offered to be installed at the dealership it self. (Not a lift purchased outside the dealership.)
I masked the name to respect the privacy of the sender.

So when you get the lift offered by the dealership at the vehicle purchase your Toyota warranty is void. You have to go with the warranty lift manufacturer provides which could be useless. IMO installing lift owner takes the responsibility / risk to related components.

 

This! It is designed to protect the consumer.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-chapter50&edition=prelim

 

And as I said, technically, they can only void warranty on a part affected by the mod but in reality, if they deny it, it's going to be up to you to prove the mod did not cause the damage which could be both lengthy and costly as they will bring lawyer and engineers and I hate to say it, the average person is going to be at a massive disadvantage once the engineers start getting technical. I mean obviously if they deny warranty on your radio because you installed a level, not hard to show that those are unrelated. When they deny your transmission because you installed a lift and 285's, now you're outside of design parameters and just because they work for everyone else, they will bring up tolerance stack and design criteria and you're going to respond with what? well it worked on billy bob's rig just fine?

Everyone on forums loves to shout Magnuson-Moss as if all you have to do is reference it and they'll cave. It doesn't work that way.

 

Toyota engineers have created a great product in the 4Runner. My ORP has the KDSS option and it’s been fantastic both on and off road. For me, it’s a risk / reward question…does the benefit of the lift (especially just 1 inch) outweigh the risk of changing the geometry of my rig and putting the warranty in jeopardy?

I’m not criticizing those who choose modifications…But I am very slow to alter what Japan built and shipped to me.

 

@Lilz - now you know what happens when you take the lid off the Pandora's 'will it affect my warranty' box...

 

Nope. And if you go to court, Toyotas lawyers will shred you a new one and find a way to convince the jury your lift caused suspension damage and failure. Then, they will counter sue you for court costs. Your fun little lift just cost you $10-25K in legal fees on top of repairs needed.

 

IMHO, the warranty is worthless. You will probably never use it. 4Runners are one of, if not the best, reliable vehicles on the planet. The warranty users are few and far between. Like anything else, schit happens. I started modding my 4R 2weeks after I bought it. I haven't needed any repairs, and I wheel the schit out of it. 2 trips to Moab, 1 to Windrock in Tenn. among others.

 

wait people with 4runners have to use their warranties?????????

 

FYI: I related elsewhere where Valvoline had failed to install the drain plug or didn't tighten it on my rear diff when I took it for servicing. Trashed the rear diff totally to the tune of $7500.00 (OUCH!!!). A month in the hop and the warranty wouldn't cover it because it was "outside work". Stuck in Klamath Falls after 100+ mile tow. Spent the weekend there before the rental agency opened.

Fortunately, Valvoline did honor the claim and we got a reimbursement check yesterday. In other words, be careful about modding things!

 

Somehow I don't equate Valvoline screwing up the drain plug on your rear diff with modding a vehicle...

 

Here we go again…

https://www.4runners.com/threads/wa...pairs-recalls-updates-magnuson-moss-etc.8345/

 

Congrats on the new 4 Runner. Enjoy

 

Thank you! Take both of my likes! Your post in that link is excellent! Hopefully it will educate some people on the true meaning of the Moss Magnuson act.

 

Having work done by a non-dealer can void the warranty!

 

Unless they mess it up, no it can’t.

 

If the dealer did the work and didn’t tighten the drain bolt, it wouldn’t be covered by warrantee either. The dealer would be responsible. In your case, I think the lesson is have work done by places that will take responsibility for faulty workmanship.

 

These warranty threads drive me nuts. Read the Magnuson-Moss Warranty and understand the text. Then apply common sense to your vehicles modifications. Are you throwing three inches of lift and eating ball joints? Not covered. Do you have a sweet aftermarket sound system and your rear shocks are leaking after a month of ownership? Obviously covered.

Be smart about your modifications, monitor any excess wear, and be realistic about your expectations with the dealership.

In addition every service advisor, service manager, and dealership is different. Every warranty and aftermarket parts install is different. There is no catch all answer to this. The simplest answer is, "Did the customer's installation of aftermarket parts cause damage leading to a warranty claim?". If the answer is yes, then the dealership isn't going to eat the cost of parts and repair.