Levleing/ Lift Kits Voiding Warranty?

rucker41 · January 24, 2008

I just bought an 08 sierra all terrain and im ready to jack it up. But, all i hear about is how lift kits will void many factory warranties which (if true) im not ready to do on a new truck. I was also wondering about just leveling the truck and but im not sure if that would void any warranties either. Could I get a little help? Are there any lift kits/leveling kits that don't void warranties or void very little?

Ive got a picture; as you can see it sits very low.

Rocco715 · January 24, 2008

Dealership needs to prove that the part you installed caused the failure which will result in that service not being covered under warranty, a lift kit will most likely void warranty but a leveling kit will not and can easily be returned to stock

Silverado4x4 · January 24, 2008

I called my dealer about mine and he said it will not void it. If your not sure call your dealer but explain to him what it is that its just a block that goes under the struts or over if you got that type.

OutlawBiz · January 24, 2008

I am in the same boat as you rucker41...I want to lift my 08 Denali but can't risk voiding warranty on a $45,000 truck!

There is a local GMC dealer that has brand new GMC Crew Cab trucks on their lot for sale ($50k+) with 6" lifts and 34" tires etc. that have FULL GM WARRANTIES. I asked them about it, and said that the conversion company that does all the work www.waldoch.com out of the Minneapolis, MN area is an authroized / certified lift kit installer and GM honors their kits under their warranty. BUT, when I called Waldoch to see if they would lift mine...they were a bit shady about it because I had already taken possesion of it. They said it is easier to get covered under GM warranty if their work is done BEFORE the vehicle is sold (new to dealerships)!? They said they woudl lift mine for about $3,500 (without wheels / tires obviously) and that it would be covered under warranty.

So, long story short...there must be certain companies that GM will authorize to do work for them. Not sure how you find one in your area!? I just happened to have a dealer in my area that was selling them already lifted and started asking questions.

I guess Waldoch gives certification paperwork etc. to keep in your glovebox in case you ever had to have warranty work done...it proves the lift was an "authorized installation" or something!?

I may still do it...just have to figure out if I want to drop that kind of coin to do it!

y2kz71 · January 24, 2008

What warranty part would be effected aside from maybe balljoints or tie-rods...its not going to effect your engine/tranny/ac or any other expensive parts...go for it.

shedberg · January 24, 2008

I asked my dealership about the levelling kit voiding warranty before I had mine installed, and they said it would NOT void the warranty at all.

OutlawBiz · January 24, 2008

shedberg...any pics / specs on yours?

jhndizzle · January 24, 2008

ok gents

my uncle is the president of beck and masten here in houston. leveling kits no unless larger than 3'' but here me out a suspension will void warranty on only the parts that were taken off the truck to put the lift on. you will still get your power train warranty. plus also the shop and the manufacture of the lifts will give you some sort of warranty not good but ok depends on who you go with. i look at it this way if i can afford to buy a gmc truck loaded out like some of the trucks here than im not going to sweat over putting a lift on my truck because i probably can afford to get it fixed to. just do it guys mine is getting one as we speak. a 7'' fabtech lift. dont worry it doesnt void the hole warranty just the parts swapped out. thanks gents

Montana Bronco · January 25, 2008

This is somewhat related:

My former 2004 F-150 (traded in on 2008 GMC) had all 4 ball joints go bad by 30,000 miles. I had installed 285 tires, but no lift/leveling kit was needed.

The dealer blamed the bigger tires for the ball joint failure. I appealed to Ford and won. They were replaced under the warranty.

But I will never buy another vehicle from that dealer again.

jnbkosmo · January 25, 2008

I could see dealers/manufacturers challenging people who have larger wheels and tires because thee integrity of the odometer is jeopardised.

Say you blow your tranny at 34k miles you could be challenged by dealer because of odometer calibration issues.

I know everytime I take my quad in for warranty work,stock whees/tires go on first.My salesman gave that heads up.

rucker41 · January 26, 2008

It seems to me the safe bet is to go with a leveling kit because so far no one has told me it will voidthe warranty in any way. It is also incredibly cheap I got a quote for 160 installed 2" rough county levelling kit. Which will allow you to clear up to 33"s, which is pretty big youd have so spend over 2000 to get a 6" lift installed where you could clear 35"s. Im guessing leveling kits are the safer and more economic choice?

Zembonez · January 26, 2008

It seems to me the safe bet is to go with a leveling kit because so far no one has told me it will voidthe warranty in any way. It is also incredibly cheap I got a quote for 160 installed 2" rough county levelling kit. Which will allow you to clear up to 33"s, which is pretty big youd have so spend over 2000 to get a 6" lift installed where you could clear 35"s. Im guessing leveling kits are the safer and more economic choice?

I would think the easy solution to the whole thing would be to let your dealership order and install the leveling kit. Might cost a little more but no warranty issues. Dealers here do leveling, lifts, etc. and the warranty is in full effect when they sell the trucks. Many dealerships in this area even have their own custom shops.