Explain like I'm 5, why are some 2022 Tundra lifts sub-par?

And every 911 until the 992 GT3, and every BMW, etc.

 

@mass-hole @KroppDuster

What are the Bilstein 5100s? Why would they be a cheaper and better upgrade? Do they more readily fit with the rest of the stock suspension on the 3rd Gen?

 

They are drop in replacements for the OEM shocks. The fronts typically accept the OEM springs, and the lower spring perch has an adjustable collar so you can change the amount of lift in the front. The ones on my F150, for example, have 5 settings from 0 to 2.1" of lift I believe. They are usually around $400 for all 4, but you use you reuse stock front springs and top hats usually.

 

Toyota like all manufactures can deny a warranty claim IF they believe the claim is related to a modification of the vehicle and the modification is related to the failure.

That why they offer OEM parts to modify with, esp suspension parts and kits that when installed by a toyota dealer do not void the warranty of the vehicle or the parts installed.

I think all of us at one time have modified our vehicles as soon as we got them, its a risk we take.

 

Whoops, good catch, thanks!

 

You aren't wrong, on either account, BUT I do prefer the look of a leveled out truck and if I can get away with it for a decent price and no loose a crap ton of ride quality I'm all for that. Thank you.

 

Thanks to @KroppDuster's other thread on the voiding of the suspension warranty, I feel like I have a better grasp now of how Toyota can void a warranty on parts that one modifies themselves. It does make sense to me that if I replace the muffler with an aftermarket muffler and then have an exhaust problem Toyota would be like: that's not our muffler and we aren't responsible for fixing it.

 

After reading this thread y'all inspired me to do some research, I found this video helpful for explaining the different parts involved and some of the features available on the market even though it's geared for coilover's on a sports car. If you have the equivalent of this video for trucks please post it below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmr14nCivZA

 

First assumption I need to check and general question to verify something here. Putting a 3" coilover lift on a truck would provide better tire clearance, but ground clearance may remain the same? I'm assuming the lowest point on the 2022 Tundra is the bottom of the axle housing?

Second assumption. Being able to fit larger tires actually lifts the ground clearance? I'd guess that going from 33" tires to 35 inch tires would only provide 1" of lift since it's half the increase in diameter?

 

Your lowest point on the truck is technically your limiting ground clearance in some situations. But having more “ground clearance” for the bumpers, rockers and body by lifting the suspension increases those clearances and improves your approach, departure, and break over angles. Only your rear differential and lower A arm at the ball joint clearance remains unchanged with the suspension lift. Larger tires will increase the clearance there.

 

That makes alot more sense. The context of the truck determines clearance, and so the approach/departure angles can play a big role and the amount of clearance you have in those relative to your obstacle. Thanks for the verification.

 

Don’t drive directly over the boulder centered up.

 

What he said.

It’s counterintuitive but when faced with obstacles you WANT your tires to roll on top of the big rocks, that will lift the truck up higher and over other rocks, increasing your clearance. On the highway if there’s a small object we tend to drive over it splitting it between our wheels. But off road (depending on the obstacle) get your wheels onto the big rocks and it tends to be easier to pass than you initially thought.

 

The lift does help on independent suspension and raises anything besides a solid rear axle up higher. Chances are, the first thing you are gunna hit on a long truck like the Tundra is the running boards or door sills and a lift will help there. I actually folded up the running board on my lexus GX landing on a rock a few weeks back.

But I am a fan of tires first. Then lift if you feel like it. I am running 285/70's on my Lexus GX with the stock suspension. I didnt have to trim, just used a heat gun to mold some plastic out of the way. Most people wait to run the same size tire until they have a 2-3" lift. While their trucks might be slightly more capable, I bet 99% of the time mine would go anywhere they would, especially with some decent skids and sliders.

On my F150 I am running 315/70R17 Raptor tires on a nearly stock suspension. I am running Bilstein 5100's but the fronts are on the lowest setting. You wouldnt be able to tell it from a stock truck without looking really close.

 

I believe the burden is on the manufacturer to prove that the aftermarket part is directly causing the issue according to the Magnuson-Moss Act.

With that said, Toyota has better litigation power than your average consumer; so they would likely be able to prove an aftermarket lift to be the cause of any related driveline part failure should it occur.

 

Exactly. If they decided to push back, what are you gunna do? Take them to court over a $200 part and hope that they don't absolutely steam roll you with evidence that your $75 spacer lift wouldn't cause additional stress on the suspension to cause early failure?

Its great that the Act exists, but my guess is in the real world its pretty worthless.

 

I think you're right on the money there. If I lift my truck and something breaks that the dealer won't cover should I just pay the $2k bill out of pocket or should I pay my lawyer $3k to fight it and after a year of back and forth finally, maybe get it fixed for "free".

 

@csuviper already wrote the definitive guide on this years ago.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/guide-different-types-of-lifts.546/

 

I have had warranty refused over aftermarket items before, I bring in a printed copy of the act and my attorneys card and ask to see the service manager. 99% of the time it gets fixed right then and there. Being nice about it goes a long ways.. and bring doughnuts.

 

He's glossing over it, but this is really the key to getting $hit done.

 

Honestly, I've never tried nor needed too. The only vehicle I have ever owned that had a warranty was my F150 and the only warranty work I ever had to have done was a replacement microphone for the entertainment system. But it hasnt been in warranty for 3-4 years.

Every other car I have owned was either too old or to many miles to still be under warranty. I generally do all of my own work.