Voiding Warranty

[Mjolnir]

I’m currently waiting on my 4 Dr Big Bend non-sas and had a curious question if anyone can answer. I went ahead and ordered some rims, 35” tires and the RC 3.5” lift to install once it arrives. My question to anyone with a similar aftermarket set up is this… did you have any concerns about voiding your warranty with the aftermarket parts since you installed soon after the purchase? And how long did you wait before installing aftermarket lift and tires? I’m debating driving it stock anywhere from 1 week to 1 month before putting the parts on it. Any help is appreciated!

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[Blackcat]

From my days on the Jeep forum, it's never a pleasant experience for folks trying to get warranty work after they've added a lift. If a dealer can say the modifications mayb could have caused the issue, the warranty isn't going to cover it.

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

Legally, you can’t “void” a warranty by installing aftermarket parts just by virtue of installing them. This is protected under the Magnussen Moss act in the US.

However, if something fails after you install a mod, and the dealer/Ford can prove the mod contributed to the failure, then that repair will not be covered under warranty.

A lift is risky simply because it’s pretty easy for a dealership to say “no, your mods caused this failure” when anything suspension, drivetrain, or steering related fails. You’ve changed the geometry of the driveline, and that can easily cause extra wear on all those components.

 

[Mjolnir]

Gotcha. That’s basically what I saw in another thread, that if they can related it back to aftermarket additions, they certainly will. Thanks!

 

[cigartexan]

I usually wait for the warranty to be out or ask dealership before I install something. Whenever I do do major stuff, lifts and such, I have my buddy standing over my shoulder handing me beers. He's a ASE Master Tech and he charges for beer delivery

 

[Lucky]

35” tires and the RC 3.5”

Let’s be honest here. You should have got the Base Sasquatch and left it alone, or ponied up for Sasquatch package on the Big Bend.

While I’m at it, I’ll urge you to not get bronze wheels and don’t stick scripts on there, either.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Auto or Manual? What gearing?

 

[TX-Hans]

Agree with @SPITmadFIRE. I suspect if you had the Ford dealer do the install, it might be hard for them to deny warranty coverage later. Of course, that approach would likely be much more pricey. My sales person said, but I doubt it's accurate, that 4WD Parts is Ford's official installer and their installations would be covered by Ford's warranty. Again, I'm very skeptical but might be worth looking into.

 

[Mjolnir]

Auto or Manual? What gearing?

Auto and I’m a novice so I just did 3.73 open diff. Kinda kicking myself a little for it since I had the options for the others but I don’t plan to do heavy off roading the first couple years of having it.

 

[Mjolnir]

Let’s be honest here. You should have got the Base Sasquatch and left it alone, or ponied up for Sasquatch package on the Big Bend.

While I’m at it, I’ll urge you to not get bronze wheels and don’t stick scripts on there, either.

No worries on the scripts. Can’t say the same for bronze rims though.

 

[bodean]

Legally, you can’t “void” a warranty by installing aftermarket parts just by virtue of installing them. This is protected under the Magnussen Moss act in the US.

However, if something fails after you install a mod, and the dealer/Ford can prove the mod contributed to the failure, then that repair will not be covered under warranty.

A lift is risky simply because it’s pretty easy for a dealership to say “no, your mods caused this failure” when anything suspension, drivetrain, or steering related fails. You’ve changed the geometry of the driveline, and that can easily cause extra wear on all those components.

I’m not sure how much stock I’d put into the Magnusson Moss Act. Here’s a great read from someone who actually tried to use it.

I think the one big take away is your vehicle becomes evidence in the trial and you lose access to it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ffs-lets-all-stop-referencing-the-magnussen-moss-act.609911/

 

[EStepCG2022]

Let’s be honest here. You should have got the Base Sasquatch and left it alone, or ponied up for Sasquatch package on the Big Bend.

While I’m at it, I’ll urge you to not get bronze wheels and don’t stick scripts on there, either.

What's wrong with scripts and bronze wheels? People aren't allowed to do whatever they want to their own cars now?

 

[Broncoder]

Agree with @SPITmadFIRE. I suspect if you had the Ford dealer do the install, it might be hard for them to deny warranty coverage later. Of course, that approach would likely be much more pricey. My sales person said, but I doubt it's accurate, that 4WD Parts is Ford's official installer and their installations would be covered by Ford's warranty. Again, I'm very skeptical but might be worth looking into.

I asked my dealer about doing a 1" level, and he refused to have his shop do it due to potential impact on warranty. I've seen others say that their dealership did lifts for them on delivery, and I know of one doing a lift on an incoming Bronco as an add-on before putting it on the market. If you find a dealer willing to do one, I'd make sure it's somewhere in writing that they won't refuse to cover the repairs should something happen to related parts. It _should_ be covered if a dealer did the install for you, but never assume.

 

[bodean]

I will add I think a lot of it comes down to the relationship you have with your service centre. I’ve had warrantee work completed on a heavily modified Tacoma with no questions asked but I had built a great relationship with the people there.

 

[MoabRox]

Let’s be honest here. You should have got the Base Sasquatch and left it alone, or ponied up for Sasquatch package on the Big Bend.

While I’m at it, I’ll urge you to not get bronze wheels and don’t stick scripts on there, either.

Amen regarding Bronze wheels, but "to each their own".
I'm wishing that I had gone with a more classic looking silver wheel than the all black I put on.

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