Westcott Lift & Toyota Warranty

[KWLC250]

This may seem like a no brainer question... will installing the Westcott Preload Collar lift affect the Toyota Warranty at all?

I've seen several dealerships advertising cars on the lot with the Readylift kits all ready installed. Which gives me a bit of pause on whether or not that affected or voided parts of the warranty. I came across this video on YT last night from Australia and the creator says he's quoting Toyota (possibly Toyota Australia) directly. The language seems purposely vague, as in if they really wanted to they could blame almost any repair on the slightest modification outside of factory specs (Is there a factory spec or tolerance sheet that anyone is aware of?).

 

[t3lcfe]

This may seem like a no brainer question... will installing the Westcott Preload Collar lift affect the Toyota Warranty at all?

I've seen several dealerships advertising cars on the lot with the Readylift kits all ready installed. Which gives me a bit of pause on whether or not that affected or voided parts of the warranty. I came across this video on YT last night from Australia and the creator says he's quoting Toyota (possibly Toyota Australia) directly. The language seems purposely vague, as in if they really wanted to they could blame almost any repair on the slightest modification outside of factory specs (Is there a factory spec or tolerance sheet that anyone is aware of?).

I watched that video a couple days ago. Unfortunately, somewhat it is true!
Or very hard to win over the manufacture. Probably whichever dealers installed installed it for you and had written warranty by dealer (solely by dealer and lifted kit manufacturer part warranty)
That’s why when I “upgraded” mine, I chose the most reliable one and have great warranty covered by manufacture and installer.

 

[KWLC250]

I watched that video a couple days ago. Unfortunately, somewhat it is true!
Or very hard to win over the manufacture. Probably whichever dealers installed installed it for you and had written warranty by dealer (solely by dealer and lifted kit manufacturer part warranty)
That’s why when I “upgraded” mine, I chose the most reliable one and have great warranty covered by manufacture and installer.

I reached out to Wescott directly and they recommend sticking with a dealership that is used to modifying vehicles. It never crossed my mind to have the kit installed by a dealer, but it probably makes the sense. And I'll probably start researching dealerships that have done installs.

 

[D-mac]

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a good reference in the USA that protects against invalidation of warranties from unrelated aftermarket modifications or parts installed.

 

[mkg]

Basically... If you have the Westcott lift (or any others) installed and you have suspension issues that need warranty, expect to get denied. Shocks are fairly cheap, and a good excuse to upgrade, so Im not worrying about it.

 

[EOD Guy]

I'm pretty sure that if you install anything non-oem for your specific vehicle and have an issue, if the fault/issue/damage is caused (even partially) by a part you had installed, the factory warranty for that system will be voided, even if the dealer installed it.

Some examples....... I wanted the dealer to install a Xmsn cooler on my LC, dealer stated "the LC doesn't have a Xmsn cooler", I said I know that's why I want one installed" they stated "we can install one for you but it will void the transmission warranty", I asked what about a Toyota Xmsn cooler from another model .............. still voids the warranty.

I attempted to do a GX550 fuel tank swap into my LC, drove to Noblesville, IN to Ed Martin Toyota (4WD mod friendly dealer) but Eric explained swapping out the fuel tank would void the warranty concerning any fuel tank related issues in the future.

 

[KWLC250]

I'm pretty sure that if you install anything non-oem for your specific vehicle and have an issue, if the fault/issue/damage is caused (even partially) by a part you had installed, the factory warranty for that system will be voided, even if the dealer installed it.

Some examples....... I wanted the dealer to install a Xmsn cooler on my LC, dealer stated "the LC doesn't have a Xmsn cooler", I said I know that's why I want one installed" they stated "we can install one for you but it will void the transmission warranty", I asked what about a Toyota Xmsn cooler from another model .............. still voids the warranty.

I attempted to do a GX550 fuel tank swap into my LC, drove to Noblesville, IN to Ed Martin Toyota (4WD mod friendly dealer) but Eric explained swapping out the fuel tank would void the warranty concerning any fuel tank related issues in the future.

Your description of interactions with the dealers (even Ed Martin) sounds more like what my original question was getting to... based on the response you got from both dealerships it appears that they're saying the mere presence of an aftermarket or modified part leads to the voiding of the warranty in relation to that category/subcategory of warranty (i.e. suspension or in your example transmission). As opposed to the responses from others (and even your initial statement) were it seems implied that the burden of proof would lie upon the dealership to prove that the modified or aftermarket part was responsible for the damage. If the answer is the former rather than the latter, then I would assume that installing the lift kit would void the suspension warranty (at the very least).

This is my first Toyota, and since they seem to encourage and interact with a community of people that modify their vehicles I was hoping there might be a direct "official" answer or statement. And fingers crossed one that is lenient and narrowed the scope of what part of the warranty could potentially be voided.

I've seen a couple references to the Magnuson-Moss Act, I'm not familiar with the language, but even if it does narrow the scope of what can be voided or places the burden of proof on the dealership... it seems based on current interactions with dealers (in the absence of an official stance from Toyota corporate, or a lenient, skilled and modification friendly dealership/service depatement) that any warranty work is likely to be denied (that doesn't mean you can't appeal and perhaps use the Magnuson-Moss Act if you want to put up the fight).

 

[EOD Guy]

Your description of interactions with the dealers (even Ed Martin) sounds more like what my original question was getting to... based on the response you got from both dealerships it appears that they're saying the mere presence of an aftermarket or modified part leads to the voiding of the warranty in relation to that category/subcategory of warranty (i.e. suspension or in your example transmission). As opposed to the responses from others (and even your initial statement) were it seems implied that the burden of proof would lie upon the dealership to prove that the modified or aftermarket part was responsible for the damage. If the answer is the former rather than the latter, then I would assume that installing the lift kit would void the suspension warranty (at the very least).

This is my first Toyota, and since they seem to encourage and interact with a community of people that modify their vehicles I was hoping there might be a direct "official" answer or statement. And fingers crossed one that is lenient and narrowed the scope of what part of the warranty could potentially be voided.

I've seen a couple references to the Magnuson-Moss Act, I'm not familiar with the language, but even if it does narrow the scope of what can be voided or places the burden of proof on the dealership... it seems based on current interactions with dealers (in the absence of an official stance from Toyota corporate, or a lenient, skilled and modification friendly dealership/service depatement) that any warranty work is likely to be denied (that doesn't mean you can't appeal and perhaps use the Magnuson-Moss Act if you want to put up the fight).

I think you've got the gist of it......

Let's say you install aftermarket upper "A" arms and had an suspension failure that damaged a CV axle.......... probably won't be covered as the dealer would claim the increased angle of the after-market "A" arm put increased stress on the CV joint which caused the part to fail....... and they would be correct and if the CV failure caused internal differential damaged, the differential wouldn't be covered either because the CV failure caused it and the CV wouldn't have failed if the OEM "A" arm hadn't been replaced.......Yadda Yadda. On the other hand, let's say you replaced just the shock with an after-market OEM like shock and had a CV failure, then everything but the shock should be covered under warranty etc..........

 

[KWLC250]

I think you've got the gist of it......

Let's say you install aftermarket upper "A" arms and had an suspension failure that damaged a CV axle.......... probably won't be covered as the dealer would claim the increased angle of the after-market "A" arm put increased stress on the CV joint which caused the part to fail....... and they would be correct and if the CV failure caused internal differential damaged, the differential wouldn't be covered either because the CV failure caused it and the CV wouldn't have failed if the OEM "A" arm hadn't been replaced.......Yadda Yadda. On the other hand, let's say you replaced just the shock with an after-market OEM like shock and had a CV failure, then everything but the shock should be covered under warranty etc..........

Using the example you just laid out with aftermarket upper A arms... what (if anything) does a preload collar kit like the Westcott kit affect/change/stress that a technician might (keyword "might") be able to blame the lift kit on? I'm new to the 4x4 world, so forgive my ignorance. I was basically thinking exactly what you laid out for the upper A arm example, that a tech might be able layout a long chain events resulting from the lift kit. Also, I might rethink adding a lift kit if it does in fact lead to long change of undesired stresses on components. @mkg mentioned shocks being cheap. If it's just the shocks that "might" be affected then I'd be apt to agree with his statement... and "not worry about it".

 

[t3lcfe]

Using the example you just laid out with aftermarket upper A arms... what (if anything) does a preload collar kit like the Westcott kit affect/change/stress that a technician might (keyword "might") be able to blame the lift kit on? I'm new to the 4x4 world, so forgive my ignorance. I was basically thinking exactly what you laid out for the upper A arm example, that a tech might be able layout a long chain events resulting from the lift kit. Also, I might rethink adding a lift kit if it does in fact lead to long change of undesired stresses on components.

That’s why you have to choose the reliable/ long-history reputable brands / kits for your UPGRADE (not downgrade!).
From there, your vehicle performance/reliable depends on the “upgrade” system you chose, but not manufacturer or dealer any more !

I know when I say this…many friends here will offend and have negative reactions! Very sensitive things…that I didn’t want to get myself in before…

I chose Total Chaos UCA + 2.5” Dia adjustable Kings shocks and Links because of reasons of warranty void that you / I mentioned in earlier posts. “I” rather keep the stock suspension and tires or go with the “right” stuffs for 35” tires

I do understand the budget constrains / purpose of on-road only but look muscle vehicle…$150 “lifted” kit is downgrading your most beautiful/reliable LC! Please don’t throw rocks on me

My honest “2-cent” opinion
Happy LC to all !

 

[EOD Guy]

Lift pucks do change the CV angle..... thicker the puck greater the angle. I have 1.5" pucks and Bilstien lift struts on my Taco (warranty has expired) and I do notice popping sounds due to the increased CV angles, I'm keeping an eye on it. I wanted the look so I took the chance, I installed them at 2k miles on the ticker. Now if they start going bad, I'll just replace them with upgraded axles/CVs (30k now on the ticker).

The odds are in your favor that you'll have no issues, but you never know. Pucks are easily removed, sort of and should you have an issue, you could remove them before going to the dealer.

 

[Yossarian]

I reached out to Wescott directly and they recommend sticking with a dealership that is used to modifying vehicles. It never crossed my mind to have the kit installed by a dealer, but it probably makes the sense. And I'll probably start researching dealerships that have done installs.

A lot of dealerships farm out their lift installs to local Off Road shops rather than do the install themselves. The local dealership had a couple of 1958s that I looked at over the weekend with Ready Lift 1” lifts installed. The fine print on the paperwork said the install was done by one of the local off road shops. The local dealer has also done some aftermarket parts installs on my Cruiser and did it no problem.