Get a lift through the dealer or shop?

I ordered a 2017 Tacoma Sport and plan to have it lifted 6". The dealer is putting a lot of pressure on me (shocker) to have them lift it. I was planning on having a local BDS dealer/shop lift it. This shop has a great reputation, lifted my current Tacoma w/ no problems, and has good customer service/guaranty. The dealer wants to go w/ a Pro-comp w/ coil over and is charging me $5,000! I also want to get a couple other mods (grill,running boards, skid, etc) which would total about $10,500 from the dealer. The shop wants to use a BDS (but they will do Pro-comp) coil over for $3700, and w/ all the other mods it would total about $8500.

Here's the thing, the dealer is pushing me to use them and will honor the 3yr/35K basic warranty and 5yr/60k powertrain warranty if I go through them (at least for the lift). Also pro-comp comes with a 5yr warranty for the lift.

Dealer says if I go elsewhere, that my warranty will be null (which I don't fully believe).

Is $2,000 grand worth keeping the factory warranty? What would you do?

 

um that warranty is the oem warranty that Toyota gives you for free when you buy any new vehicle.

and they cant deny warranty work unless they can say the add ons cause the issue.

 

Yeah, they are telling me if I lift the truck from anybody but them the oem warranty is voided.

 

I mean, I get it, if something breaks on the truck completely unrelated to any mods I know Toyota still has to honor their warranty, but the powertrain/suspension warranty will be gone and anything else they can pin on the mods.

 

it wont void the warranty....BUT...

If you come in bitching about ball joints, wheel bearings etc.......... you will be out in the wind

 

They are full of shit. Go where you want to go, if something breaks they have to prove your mod did it.
Also BDS > procomp / sky jacker / fabtech .. or any other drop bracket lift imo

 

If you really want the lift, have the dealer do it and install the steps yourself.. steps wont void any warranty

 

Well yeah. But would you risk it? I don't expect this truck to break down in any way, but I guess that's why u get a warranty.

 

first year for a new motor and new trans.. Yes, I expect the stuff to break.

 

I was thinking about splitting the work up like this, but then their is the convenience factor of getting it all done at once.

 

Alright bare with me I'm about to write a book report. But first off, welcome to Tacoma World! I work at a dealership so I'll do my first to give some insite.

First off, dealership warranties suck. Straight up. They won't be held accountable for anything. Theyve not only linked things you wouldn't even imagine (installing a leveling spacer in the front too a rear axle shaft failure, aftermarket shifter knob to thumping transmissions, the list goes on and on). My buddy in a neighboring town (different dealership than I work at) was traveling down a CR at 55 or so and his ball joint on his new '16 Tacoma gave out. Neither the dealership or Toyota cooperate will take responsibility, and refuse to fix it. Don't let them do they work. We've sold two (I know of) lifted Tacomas with our warranties that had enormous transmission issues from the stock gearing and larger tires. One was traded back in a couple months later.

Second, a lift isn't hard at all to install. Slip someone on here a couple hundred and beer and they'll do it all for you at their house. @Texoma is known for doing this with A+ service. I'll be doing it as well when I move back to Lubbock as to not interfere with his already established reputation. Hell, buy a lift and some hand tools and you can do it with YouTube videos, don't let it intimidate you!

Third; you sure about a 6" lift? You're either going to be getting a drop bracket with shitty struts (you might be able to get Foxs with BDS, which are high quality) or gigantic ass spacers. This isn't something you want on your vehicle for longevity... If you're 2WD, look into a maxtrax spindle lift and then add a Bilstein 5100 for even more lift. You'll probably need a driveshaft spacer from personal experiences with a buddies truck but meh. If you're 4WD... I mean, it's you're truck, but beware.

Lastly, congrats on your new truck! Can't wait to see how it turns out. 2017 I think is going to be a good year for Tacomas once the '16 kinks are worked out.

 

I didn't want to say that.. but to Piggyback on Cedarpark's comments...

6" lift and heavy tires on this 2016 V6 would suck..

 

Here a link to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) bulletin about aftermarket parts.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0138-auto-warranties-routine-maintenance#will

 

Wonder if you work at Charles Maund? Because they are selling new Taco inferno with 6" lift with 5,000 miles.

 

My dealer tried weezling out of replacing the driver side window weather striping on my '16 with less then 2000 miles on it because they said there was branch scratch's on the side of the truck that caused the issues with the weather stripping. Ummm, NO, your fucking glue came undone.

Guess what I'm trying to say is, save the $2500 and do it elsewhere. They are going to try and get out of any form of warranty work regardless.

 

I bought mine from dealer with 3/1.5 bfg ko2's and pro comp wheels. Looks great. 7k mark up, I literally got entire 7k taken off price of truck. Stayed until 11 at night, last night of month.

In your situation, either haggle down to meet other place or go to other place. Don't pay more for dealer.

 

Thanks for the info! I really want a 6" lift, I have 4" now and I have never been happy w/ it. But thanks for the warning and alternative suggestions.

 

Have the dealer match your other quote/parts and you're all even. They'd do that to keep you coming back to them for everything.

 

But this dealer is telling me that they will cover it all if I go through them for the lift. Do you think they are just blowing smoke up my ass for the sale? I mean, I think I would try to get something in writing.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these lifts your talking about involve chopping the frame/cutting out the cross-member, not something I'd want anyone but the dealer doing to a brand new truck. If they say they'll continue to honor your warranty if you do it through them, then do it through them.

Yes, technically they have to "prove" that aftermarket parts caused failure to void warranty but believe me, they will fight you tooth and nail over it. They'll deny the warranty work and then you'll have to go the legal route to try and get them to change their minds, huge headache and hassle. If you're intent on doing this kind of lift on a brand new truck, do it through them. Make sure you have some kind of writing or contract from them saying they won't void your warranty, too.