Issues after lifting?

[Fermn]

I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with their truck after lifting it?

By issues I don't mean squeaking noises or sag but rather any mechanical failure due to lifting the truck?


Just curious as my 3' kit with UCAs finally got here yesterday and I want to make sure I don't void any warranty on the truck.

On a side note: I got a diff drop kit but I've read mixed opinions about needing one? Should I install it or not? Just want to hear everyone's opinion on it..


Thanks guys !

 

[northcoast]

If you have KDSS: Can't confirm, but I may have worn out the bushings for the sway bar quicker after the lift - a little bit of a geometry change there.

 

[nb rob]

I've got 4 years of 2 1/2" to ~2 3/4" of lift. I only drive fast on rotten forestry roads, and everything is great.

As northcoast mentioned, I've replaced my KDSS front swaybar bushings twice in 4 years.... proactively. They definitely wear faster, but they're cheap.

No diff drop. I wouldn't bother with it.

As far as voiding the warranty, I have a great shop that loves my 4runner as much as I do. They are fantastic to deal with. (Patterson Toyota in Woodstock, NB) There are 2 other toyota dealerships that are closer, but not the same kind of service AT ALL. They will throw their hands in the air and blame any issue on anything and everything. The trick is to find that right dealership and stick with them for any toyota work that you plan to do. They are definitely not all equal.

replacing shocks, springs and upper control arms will not void your warranty. But make sure you're going to a place that doesn't make you fight for everything.

 

[northcoast]

^^^ I guess I'll buy those bushings in bulk lol.

 

[CMTAZ]

personally, The biggest issue I have found is a direct correlation between lifting the 4Runner and the size of my visa bill :reddance:

 

[Fermn]

If you have KDSS: Can't confirm, but I may have worn out the bushings for the sway bar quicker after the lift - a little bit of a geometry change there.

I've got 4 years of 2 1/2" to ~2 3/4" of lift. I only drive fast on rotten forestry roads, and everything is great.

As northcoast mentioned, I've replaced my KDSS front swaybar bushings twice in 4 years.... proactively. They definitely wear faster, but they're cheap.

No diff drop. I wouldn't bother with it.

As far as voiding the warranty, I have a great shop that loves my 4runner as much as I do. They are fantastic to deal with. (Patterson Toyota in Woodstock, NB) There are 2 other toyota dealerships that are closer, but not the same kind of service AT ALL. They will throw their hands in the air and blame any issue on anything and everything. The trick is to find that right dealership and stick with them for any toyota work that you plan to do. They are definitely not all equal.

replacing shocks, springs and upper control arms will not void your warranty. But make sure you're going to a place that doesn't make you fight for everything.

Thank you guys. I have no KDSS ! Yes I agree about what you say regarding the dealers. I used to be a Service Advisor at my local Toyota dealer and we were that kind of dealer that would not want to warranty anything. Managers would get some type of bonus if they fell under a certain warranty bracket so they pretty much wouldn't get anything unless the customer was at the office yelling... Sad but true.

Anyway, I appreciate the input. I was mainly asking if theres anything that typically fails after the lift because that would not be covered under warranty if it did.

 

[Bat4runner]

If you replace/alter your suspension, those particular parts no longer fall under warranty. Dealerships look for every reason to attribute anything wrong to things that you've done to your truck.

The dealer I bought my 2020 from, they said suspension is covered under warranty if you do a spacer lift up to 3 inches. So, the theory here is that anything up to 3 inches for other parts impacted by suspension should be covered.

Just a thought

 

[Lost-Again]

I'd like a lift. But seeing how I'm 9hrs from Big Bend and days from Colorado or any place cool West of Texas, I'm staying stock. It's nice being able to cruise at 90. Not that I can't do fun stuff.

 

[Eagle62]

I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with their truck after lifting it?

By issues I don't mean squeaking noises or sag but rather any mechanical failure due to lifting the truck?


Just curious as my 3' kit with UCAs finally got here yesterday and I want to make sure I don't void any warranty on the truck.

On a side note: I got a diff drop kit but I've read mixed opinions about needing one? Should I install it or not? Just want to hear everyone's opinion on it..


Thanks guys !

The only issue I've come across with the 3" lift on my truck is my wife *****es about it every time she climbs in. Other than that, no issues.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

I've replaced my KDSS front swaybar bushings twice in 4 years.... proactively. They definitely wear faster, but they're cheap.

Have you tried the poly bushings? I'm debating putting those on next. My KDSS bushings are shot.

 

[Synstars]

Have you tried the poly bushings? I'm debating putting those on next. My KDSS bushings are shot.

Poly bushing may make the ride a lil stiffer and less comfortable. I haven’t had any on my 4R but I have built a few Audi’s with full poly bushings and the ride wasn’t as comfortable but did hold up better for mountain carving in Colorado

 

[gringo8251]

Any time you change the geometry of your suspension you're creating opportunities for accelerated wear of bearings, bushings, and joints. You happen to be lifting near the upper limit of what 4R folks consider normal. It's likely you're adding bigger tires/aftermarket wheels; more opportunities for accelerated wear. You can address some of this by using adjustable components like UCAs you mentioned.

You'll see lots of varying experiences and many "rules of thumb." In my opinion every build, no matter how nice or expensive, will see failures. If you look at it as an chance to upgrade whatever component, it's like you're doing stages of upgrades over time. Also, if you like turning wrenches, it's a great way to learn about your truck.

 

[jlensky5656]

I had a 2016 trail with kdss and I had a 2" lift on it for 2 years. During this time I did not experience any issues with mechanical failure. The only issue I came across during the lifting process, which I was aware before doing it, was putting bigger tires on and the rubbing from those bigger tires (obviously doesn't have to do with the lift or suspension itself). Just had to make some alterations to avoid tire rubbing.

As far as long term mechanic issues I cannot comment on that since I only had it for 2 years. There is also a lot of different variables because it depends on the brand of lift/suspension and other components that you may change out at this time and whether or not the person or the place you take the vehicle to knows what they are doing.

 

[itr1275]

Have you tried the poly bushings? I'm debating putting those on next. My KDSS bushings are shot.

Poly bushings are very hard to keep from squeaking. You can lube them and then it's gets cold and they squeak. Relube, then they squeak when its warm. Squeak, Squeak, Squeak.

Granted these were control arm bushings, but something I wouldn't do again.

So if yo don't mind a pack of squirrels living under your hood, poly is for you.

 

[sabom_matt]

Any time you change the geometry of your suspension you're creating opportunities for accelerated wear of bearings, bushings, and joints. You happen to be lifting near the upper limit of what 4R folks consider normal. It's likely you're adding bigger tires/aftermarket wheels; more opportunities for accelerated wear. You can address some of this by using adjustable components like UCAs you mentioned.

You'll see lots of varying experiences and many "rules of thumb." In my opinion every build, no matter how nice or expensive, will see failures. If you look at it as an chance to upgrade whatever component, it's like you're doing stages of upgrades over time. Also, if you like turning wrenches, it's a great way to learn about your truck.

I've recently had a KDSS clunk diagnosed as the front driver hydraulic cylinder. I plan to go my and take a look myself before believing them, but what do you think about change in geometry and that particular part failing? I feel like that part would not be affected to the same degree as the bushing?

 

[sabom_matt]

As far as voiding the warranty, I have a great shop that loves my 4runner as much as I do. They are fantastic to deal with. (Patterson Toyota in Woodstock, NB) There are 2 other toyota dealerships that are closer, but not the same kind of service AT ALL. They will throw their hands in the air and blame any issue on anything and everything. The trick is to find that right dealership and stick with them for any toyota work that you plan to do. They are definitely not all equal.

replacing shocks, springs and upper control arms will not void your warranty. But make sure you're going to a place that doesn't make you fight for everything.

Wish I had a shop like that here in Los Angeles! My KDSS hydraulic cylinder is apparently shot and I cannot seem to get it covered under warranty because of my 2" stage 2 Icon lift.

This thread is making me think I just need to go cause a shit-storm to try and get it covered. Which is not my personality at all, but I suppose I could temporarily change my personality to save $3-4K!!

 

[Fermn]

Wish I had a shop like that here in Los Angeles! My KDSS hydraulic cylinder is apparently shot and I cannot seem to get it covered under warranty because of my 2" stage 2 Icon lift.

This thread is making me think I just need to go cause a shit-storm to try and get it covered. Which is not my personality at all, but I suppose I could temporarily change my personality to save $3-4K!!

Coming from someone that works at dealerships I can tell you that it’s definitely worth the try. Being rude won’t get you anywhere but you can ask to speak with the service director and discuss the issue in a very calm way. Usually 8/10 times customers get away with free/partially free repairs. Maybe ask him for some kind of proof that the lift was the source of the issue ?

 

[Renol]

As it comes to warranties, basically the dealership has to prove it was the modification that caused the issue(s). As others have pointed out, suspension components won't be covered anymore after the lift, but trying to blame an engine issue on suspension would be a tall order that'd be hard to prove.

 

[sabom_matt]

Coming from someone that works at dealerships I can tell you that it’s definitely worth the try. Being rude won’t get you anywhere but you can ask to speak with the service director and discuss the issue in a very calm way. Usually 8/10 times customers get away with free/partially free repairs. Maybe ask him for some kind of proof that the lift was the source of the issue ?

Definitely planning to be calm and polite, but more assertive than normal for me. Will also be inspecting the parts myself, talking to the mechanic, and taking a bunch of pics.

When I initially asked for proof that my lift caused the issue, they always defer to the "field tech specialist" who is a consultant that I cannot even speak to.

 

[sabom_matt]

As it comes to warranties, basically the dealership has to prove it was the modification that caused the issue(s). As others have pointed out, suspension components won't be covered anymore after the lift, but trying to blame an engine issue on suspension would be a tall order that'd be hard to prove.

As the KDSS is much more involved in the overall suspension of the vehicle, they are making the case that it could have been the cause. I have pushed multiple times for proof that is WAS the cause, but it seems they can and will continue to deny coverage regardless of being able to prove that fact.