Time to beat the KDSS-Horse

[4R Play]

I agree, you have to look at different dealers. Each will tell you/do something different.
The Service Manager at the dealer I bought mine from tried telling me a lift will void my WHOLE power train warranty, and that Toyota Canada goes on YouTube looking at who's got videos showing them wheeling their trucks so that they can decline their warranty claims. :lie:
On that note, I decided I wouldn't be going back there for service. I spoke with another manager at a different dealer who said a lift would be fine and they'd install it for $500 (including UCA's, lower links, panhard). He said it would only give problem with CV joints, etc for warranty due to increased angle, etc.
There's a number of dealers that install lifts on their 4Runners before selling them, so I take that to be a good indicator that you're not really folding on a big part of your warranty either.

 

[AustinYo6]

I agree, you have to look at different dealers. Each will tell you/do something different.
The Service Manager at the dealer I bought mine from tried telling me a lift will void my WHOLE power train warranty, and that Toyota Canada goes on YouTube looking at who's got videos showing them wheeling their trucks so that they can decline their warranty claims. :lie:
On that note, I decided I wouldn't be going back there for service. I spoke with another manager at a different dealer who said a lift would be fine and they'd install it for $500 (including UCA's, lower links, panhard). He said it would only give problem with CV joints, etc for warranty due to increased angle, etc.
There's a number of dealers that install lifts on their 4Runners before selling them, so I take that to be a good indicator that you're not really folding on a big part of your warranty either.

Yeah, the dealers that turned down the KDSS lift sell new lifted SR5s on their lots... What they really should be saying is "we don't feel comfortable doing it" rather than saying it "can't" be done. I want a 3" on it- so nothing crazy- rather a 3x2" level to balance out the front, and then with the increased clearance (apparently you can't put a larger wheel or tire on the stock TE because there isn't any extra room and a larger size wheel/tire will rub?) put on some bigger shoes.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I wish Ihad seen this sooner, as I might be able to lend some information. I live in the PNW (Portland, OR to be exact). I purchased my vehicle from Broadway Toyota. Before I purchased my vehicle, I called around and asked for someone to lift it from the dealership. Now when I talked to them all I did was mention I wanted to purchase a Trail with lift. Wilsonville Toyota said they would do it and Mccords in Vancouver would. There are two shops that will lift your 4Runner. As long as you stay under 5" you will be covered via warranty. The name of the two shops that will lift it are Superior Offroad and 4 Wheel Parts.

If you are wanting to get rid of your Trail and then do a SR5 or Limited to avoid the 'KDSS' issue, I would look at trading for a used one to avoid more going backwards on financed amount. Just my 2 cents.

I'm in the Portland area too.

Yeah Broadway Toyota and Capitol are the two shops who have said they wouldn't/'couldn't' do it. I planned to start calling around- I'll hit up Wilsonville and Mccords. Thanks!

I actually go to McCords for oil services (because I'm lazy and don't want to dispose of the oil properly). I know for a fact that they have lifted trucks on their lot with spacer lifts. I can't say that I know anyone there I would trust with the actual process of lifting it, but they have some experience with it none the less.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Hiring an auto dealer, any dealer, seems like the most expensive way to go for any non-warranty, aftermarket service. The dealer has a really high overhead and must charge a high hourly rate. I wouldn't expect the dealer to be any better at this than any other suspension/alignment shop. I would look for a specialty shop in your area that can install this lift kit.

From what I've read here, the alignment is the hardest part to get right. :thumb3:

 

[jbstrd]

Yeah, the dealers that turned down the KDSS lift sell new lifted SR5s on their lots... What they really should be saying is "we don't feel comfortable doing it" rather than saying it "can't" be done. I want a 3" on it- so nothing crazy- rather a 3x2" level to balance out the front, and then with the increased clearance (apparently you can't put a larger wheel or tire on the stock TE because there isn't any extra room and a larger size wheel/tire will rub?) put on some bigger shoes.

Come to my place. I have lifted three 5th Gens with success. Guess I have the magical unicorn powers needed to do so. Let me know if you are serious about it and we can plan a time, seriously.

 

[Kotrin]

Hiring an auto dealer, any dealer, seems like the most expensive way to go for any non-warranty, aftermarket service. The dealer has a really high overhead and must charge a high hourly rate. I wouldn't expect the dealer to be any better at this than any other suspension/alignment shop. I would look for a specialty shop in your area that can install this lift kit.

From what I've read here, the alignment is the hardest part to get right. :thumb3:

So funny you should say that. I'm going in for two surgeries in the next month where they will stick 'wires' down my spinal cord to help my back...but anyways..(mainly stating that some of us can't do the work ourselves and a shop is our only options, weather it be a dealer ot not)

Superior (i know the guy personally) did my lift/alignment cheaper than I could buy it off toytec site. I know I could have pieced it together for a little less, but over all I've yet to have any problems with them doing anything on my last two vehicles. And they will take care of it if Ihave a problem minus me physically hitting it of course =)

But 4 Wheel drive wanted to charge almost 800.00 more than Superior for the same lift. 4 Wheel drive said they would warranty the components for 1 year (which is all I would figure they would do).

Mccords had a lift 4Runner Trail addition (OME) they priced about 1800 for the lift, but about 700 more than I could buy it from Toytec site. They also warrantied all parts, this was back during my searching for a new vehicle after I totalled my truck. I think they wanted 48k or something for it and I wasn't ready to make that kind of commitment...yet =)

 

[Swarty]

I'm in the Portland area too.



Yeah Broadway Toyota and Capitol are the two shops who have said they wouldn't/'couldn't' do it. I planned to start calling around- I'll hit up Wilsonville and Mccords. Thanks!

Lol wilsonville just uses metal tech in Newberg and adds a markup. Skip the middle man and just go to metal tech.

 

[BigCSS]

I live in Albany and bought my Trail w/KDSS from Capitol. I ended up doing my own lift, but they said they could do one on mine when I bought it.

 

[ZeroT4R]

So funny you should say that. I'm going in for two surgeries in the next month where they will stick 'wires' down my spinal cord to help my back...but anyways..(mainly stating that some of us can't do the work ourselves and a shop is our only options, weather it be a dealer ot not)

Superior (i know the guy personally) did my lift/alignment cheaper than I could buy it off toytec site. I know I could have pieced it together for a little less, but over all I've yet to have any problems with them doing anything on my last two vehicles. And they will take care of it if Ihave a problem minus me physically hitting it of course =)

But 4 Wheel drive wanted to charge almost 800.00 more than Superior for the same lift. 4 Wheel drive said they would warranty the components for 1 year (which is all I would figure they would do).

Mccords had a lift 4Runner Trail addition (OME) they priced about 1800 for the lift, but about 700 more than I could buy it from Toytec site. They also warrantied all parts, this was back during my searching for a new vehicle after I totalled my truck. I think they wanted 48k or something for it and I wasn't ready to make that kind of commitment...yet =)

Dang Superior off-road 2 weeks out now still no parts and no install! Just purchase 5100s fronts, toytec rear spacers and diff drop 2weeks ago. No parts have shown up and paid in full. Idk about them now, something tells me that b/c I have a 2016 TEP w/ kdss

 

[DesertCanyons]

Out of alignment

So funny you should say that. I'm going in for two surgeries in the next month where they will stick 'wires' down my spinal cord to help my back...but anyways..(mainly stating that some of us can't do the work ourselves and a shop is our only options, weather it be a dealer ot not)

Superior (i know the guy personally) did my lift/alignment cheaper than I could buy it off toytec site. ... And they will take care of it if Ihave a problem minus me physically hitting it of course =)

But 4 Wheel drive wanted to charge almost 800.00 more than Superior for the same lift. 4 Wheel drive said they would warranty the components for 1 year (which is all I would figure they would do).

...yet =)

My back is hurting. My spine is out of alignment too. I'm going to do some good stretches this afternoon. I hope your surgeries went well [MENTION=65505]Kotrin[/MENTION].

When I get ready I hope to find a good shop that can install my lift on my 2015 TE w/ KDSS. I'd rather hire a shop than fool around with it for days on my own. Demello is an hour from here and TAP LV is 5 hours from me. Hopefully I can find a shop that's close by Pasadena/LA.

 

[carlomagne]

My back is hurting. My spine is out of alignment too. I'm going to do some good stretches this afternoon. I hope your surgeries went well [MENTION=65505]Kotrin[/MENTION].

When I get ready I hope to find a good shop that can install my lift on my 2015 TE w/ KDSS. I'd rather hire a shop than fool around with it for days on my own. Demello is an hour from here and TAP LV is 5 hours from me. Hopefully I can find a shop that's close by Pasadena/LA.

Do you need someone to install? I can refer you to the person that did mine. We did icons with external reservoirs up front, icon shocks and springs in the rear, and Icon UCAs. I have kdss too. He's in North Hollywood.

 

[4Rager]

but the dealer doesn't buy it/support it- things like "Your sway bars can detach themselves, it makes the system unhappy, you will have to disconnect the system to do the lift and that's not okay, etc.".

Where does this misinformation that KDSS "disconnects the sway bars" even come from? I'll admit, before I bought mine that's what I had heard too. I guess it's probably a knee-jerk reaction from someone with limited offroad knowledge who reads "KDSS... herp derp... sway bars... blah blah derp some more." and since they've heard of sway bar disconnect systems on other vehicles they just assume that must be what KDSS does.

 

[Jeremy556]

Where does this misinformation that KDSS "disconnects the sway bars" even come from? I'll admit, before I bought mine that's what I had heard too. I guess it's probably a knee-jerk reaction from someone with limited offroad knowledge who reads "KDSS... herp derp... sway bars... blah blah derp some more." and since they've heard of sway bar disconnect systems on other vehicles they just assume that must be what KDSS does.

Probably from some old Toyota literature and market materials that mention "effectively disconnects the sway bars"

 

[Brandonium]

I would think the only way to know if it is covered with a lift would be to have an issue and find out. It's almost most is certainly a dealer thing. Some will skirt warranty for every little thing while others realize the reality of vehicle ownership.

If you make a Jeep competitor and you want people looking at Jeeps to consider your vehicle then you have to realize that modifications will happen. If you are not willing to realize this as a dealer/mfg then you need to realign with a different market for said vehicle. Like soccer moms and mall cruisers.. Something more unibody and less off road capable.

There are those that seem to enjoy popping in KDSS discussion threads with "Your warranty on KDSS will be voided IMMEDIATELY" yet these people have nothing to go off of other than hearing this from someone else and often they don't even own a vehicle equipped with KDSS.

I can see a dealership shaking their finger at you if you show up with a KDSS Trail lifted to 6 inches. A 2/2.5" lift though? In all seriousness at that point if you are getting the out of warranty talk it's just bullshit and granted they would tell you the same about having a CAI or fog light mod where you bent the pin.. I mean, you could go as far as saying that 275/70R17 tires do not belong on the vehicle and if you put them on you void powertrain warranty.. I mean, if you're being a D*** about the whole thing.

BUT... relationships are KEY!

I worked at dealerships through my late teens and 20's. Many will not turn you down if you are a frequent customer who shows up for service and goes to them for maintenance work. In turn they often turn a blind eye to some of this. If you show up to a dealer with 36k on the odo and never have been there except for that time when you paid 10% below invoice for your new ride before skirting out and leaving a sub par review then my bets are on you being declined, or at least the chances of that happening far greater.

The key to a dealership service department is your relationship to them...and you cannot form those if you never show up for anything other than something that only benefits you and never them.

It would be nice to have a thread about lifted KDSS rigs and if anyone has had a warranty rejection based on having modifications. I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Simpleman74]

OP would have appreciated your reply a year ago lol

 

[Brandonium]

Still, it's a thread with a collection of info regarding KDSS, lifts and warranty. Forums are always a fine line between starting a new thread and being told to search or reviving an older thread and being told...to start a new one. lol

OP would have appreciated your reply a year ago lol

 

[Simpleman74]

Still, it's a thread with a collection of info regarding KDSS, lifts and warranty. Forums are always a fine line between starting a new thread and being told to search or reviving an older thread and being told...to start a new one. lol

just messing with ya necrophiliac

 

[Brandonium]

Depending on his mileage he may still have some time to make things right with his dealership. :hungry:

just messing with ya necrophiliac

 

[wfo9]

I don't think the concern about warranty and KDSS is even worth discussion. Reason being is there is most likely never going to be a problem with it under the warranty period. The only thing worth discussion is.
- What happens down the road
- Who will actually support minor issues if you are not willing to do it on your own ...

My gut feel is that you should not get a KDSS truck lifted unless you are willing and able to do the work yourself. Just my opinion. If you have a shop that really knows the trucks then that could work, but they are few and far between.

If you make a Jeep competitor and you want people looking at Jeeps to consider your vehicle then you have to realize that modifications will happen. If you are not willing to realize this as a dealer/mfg then you need to realign with a different market for said vehicle. Like soccer moms and mall cruisers.. Something more unibody and less off road capable.

A Little off topic...

But I don't think you understand Toyota.

They don't give crap about your lift or the need to support aftermarket modifications under warranty. Why? because they don't have to. They have customers beating down the door for the legendary reliability. They don't need the enthusiast market. It's strictly a bonus for them. Toyota's sell themselves and the enthusiast deal with it or move on... Simple as that. Most 4Runners (90% sold) don't ever see offroad conditions.

Jeep is a different brand. They survive on the aftermarket and it is built into their entire formula for the Wrangler. The reason the wrangler is still solid front axle is the enthusiast market focus. If they tried to take the Toyota stance.. they would be done for quickly in the market. Jeeps are getting much better in terms of reliability, so there may be a point when they can take a different stance. But for now... comparing aftermarket support for Jeep and Toyota is apples and oranges. Toyota has the luxury of being able to sell on reputation alone. Jeep is having great success though with the JK, so Toyota may take notice.. but I seriously doubt it. Why change what is already working.

 

[Brandonium]

So how did Toyota deal with the FJ product in terms of the enthusiast market? I do realize that the FJ did not come with KDSS but other products touted as off-road capable do and now that the FJ is retired and the 4Runner falling in line as the next highly capable vehicle in lineup it makes no sense that would turn a blind eye to this.

Just curious as I am not an FJ guy, or at least not a modern FJ guy.

They don't give crap about your lift or the need to support aftermarket modifications under warranty. Why? because they don't have to. They have customers beating down the door for the legendary reliability. They don't need the enthusiast market. It's strictly a bonus for them. Toyota's sell themselves and the enthusiast deal with it or move on... Simple as that. Most 4Runners (90% sold) don't ever see offroad conditions.