Arb locker void factory warranty? Will suspension?

[Cnc]

Has anyone installed an arb in a non-trail 4runner? I'm assuming it will void that Warranty, but just the warranty to the rear axle? What ele will void the warranty... Suspension mods?

I'm debating a 5th gen SR5, I don't want to pay for the trail add ons, and think eventually I'd like to have a rear locker.... All the 4th gen guys had to do it (the ones that are no locked) what issues did you have with a new 4runner when you did this?

It won't be right away, but within a year... So either way it seems like I'll void it, I shouldn't buy an extended if that's the case then... What about the other stuff that will void the warranty? If you modify your truck it will potentially void any warrantys, right?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Be careful adding something major to the driveline since some dealers/manufacturers can cancel your whole warranty and not just driveline but the locker will definelty void the drivetrain and associated parts that the locker could affect. Go ask a few dealers and see if you get the same answers before you add anything.

 

[Quentin]

Be careful adding something major to the driveline since some dealers/manufacturers can cancel your whole warranty and not just driveline but the locker will definelty void the drivetrain and associated parts that the locker could affect. Go ask a few dealers and see if you get the same answers before you add anything.

A dealer can't say that a blown radio head unit isn't covered because you added a rear locker. If they can prove that the modified part caused the failure, they can refuse to warranty it. Even considering your driveline warranty, if your front diff blows up, they'd have to prove that the rear locker had something to do with the failure. That is the extent of them "voiding" your warranty. A dealer might push back or bluff saying that it isn't covered, but the law is on your side.

edit: My history with Subarus does remind me that sometimes a dealer will pull the "abuse card" when you try to warranty work. A modified car is generally driven harder than a stock car. Subaru, for example, gave the first WRX owners a free SCCA membership but some dealers would turn around and refuse to warranty items claiming abuse (and auto-x/track days were considered abuse). You had people trying to game the system both ways though. Some people would try to get Subaru to replace their brakes under warranty after a half dozen track days and some dealers would try to deny legitimate warranty issues that had nothing to do with track days. You get that with greed and sporty cars. Mitsubishi was actively getting license plate numbers of Evolutions at tracks in case that person were to come in for warranty work. How they used it, I'm unsure, but they were at the very least keeping an eye out for fraud. I'm really just trying to say that it is a lot easier to get a dealer to cover your warranty work if you go to that dealer for maintenance and they aren't seeing any modifications.

 

[Jono.ful]

*bump*

Anyone have any new info?

 

[NHinAK]

*bump*

Anyone have any new info?

Info pertaining to the ARB locker, warranty, or both? Specifics would help...

 

[RubiconSS]

The "more information" is Yes and No. Mods in and of themselves are not grounds to void a warranty in its totality. You face a potential warranty claim denial on a reasonably connected failure i.e. suspension lift and a subsequent tie rod, ball joint, failure, Cold air intake and an engine failure.
If the failure is down stream from the mod - expect a problem.
More than likely a failure will be from something other than the mod though IMO.
Lifted rig, tires and suspension, bumpers an winch and then you roll it into a creek - not a warranty issue but the mods contributed (lol)

 

[JohnJerk]

Read Magnuson-Moss Act to understand your rights.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

Be careful adding something major to the driveline since some dealers/manufacturers can cancel your whole warranty and not just driveline but the locker will definelty void the drivetrain and associated parts that the locker could affect. Go ask a few dealers and see if you get the same answers before you add anything.

ugh....

 

[Jono.ful]

Ok let me be more specific: anyone in CANADA have experience with warranty issues after mods in general, and arb lockers specifically? I asked the dealer about lifts causing warranty issues and he was evasive and basically said that if I wanted to avoid issues I should have their service dept do the work (@ $130/hr). There are all kinds of things I wabt to do, but at that price its going to break the bank.

 

[1engineer]

Ok let me be more specific: anyone in CANADA have experience with warranty issues after mods in general, and arb lockers specifically? I asked the dealer about lifts causing warranty issues and he was evasive and basically said that if I wanted to avoid issues I should have their service dept do the work (@ $130/hr). There are all kinds of things I wabt to do, but at that price its going to break the bank.

Very simple:

You currently have some type of warranty, be it 3/36 for everything or 5/60 for drivetrain.

IF YOU MOD SOMETHING THAT IS IN A COMPONENT GROUP THAT FAILS, it is up to Toyota to prove your modification could be responsible for that failure. For example, if you install a locker and your seat lumbar support fails then your seat is still covered. If you install a locker and you break a rear axle, or transmission, or pinion or something else in the driveline then you COULD have no warranty for that breakage.

 

[TegoXR]

Ok let me be more specific: anyone in CANADA have experience with warranty issues after mods in general, and arb lockers specifically? I asked the dealer about lifts causing warranty issues and he was evasive and basically said that if I wanted to avoid issues I should have their service dept do the work (@ $130/hr). There are all kinds of things I wabt to do, but at that price its going to break the bank.

Had a 3" lift on my 2005 Tacoma, destroyed the rear diff in the trails during winter, dealership covered all my costs and rental car.