Inspect/Test Drive B4 or After TRD Lift?

Simple question.

Should I test drive/inspect my new vehicle BEFORE they do the Lift?

I ask because it’s a factory lift and anything that I find (like damage, etc) makes me feel somewhat okay if I inspect/test drive after the factory lift.

I’m also asking because the service department, which I trust, is trying to coordinate the timing as best as she can for the installers because it’s an 8-hour installation job.

Just want get some thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Oh, and if you didn’t figure this out, truck should be physically at dealership tomorrow or Wednesday, meaning I’m driving it out with a new lift by Friday at the latest!

 

What's wrong with inspecting and/or test driving a teat?

 

Yes test lift.
I’m happy to test teats as well. Just saying.

 

I meant should I test drive before the lift is done? Will definitely test drive after.

 

Can I ask how much the Toyota lift costs, and why you want to go that route instead of a well known and proven aftermarket lift?

 

Fair question. I felt a level of comfort knowing it was a factory lift. Especially with it being the “only lift validated by TRD engineers to be compatible with Toyota Safety Sense.” I did my best to get the price down to what was good for me. Found parts in CA for $300 less than MSRP. And got the local dealer to come down $200 for installation. Total came out to just under $2573.

 

That is just marketing wank for "Buy our subpar lift for an overinflated price". Don't mean to sound like a jerk but it is the truth. That is a lot of money for Bilstein's and a Pro grille. Many other lifts out there that have shown absolutely no issue with the TSS system.

 

Likely true. Just didn’t want to take even the slightest chance since this is my first lift ever and and my first new vehicle in ages.

 

Not to be off putting either, but I’m going to have to agree with @CalcityRenegade on this one. First, that’s BS from Toyota. Hundreds of thousands of 3rd Gen Tacos have been lifted with zero issues with TSS… including mine. 3” front and 2” rear and everything works perfectly. Second, that’s entirely way too much money for that lift… simply bc Toyota sells it and stamped their “approval” on it. You could have done almost a full King setup for that with billet UCA’s. I was floored when you told me that price! I mean to each their own, but you definitely bought into marketing voodoo and were taken for a dry ride. I hope you get what you wanted, but I guarantee you won’t get what you paid for.

 

When are you signing the paperwork? Inspect it before that. Might as well wait until after the lift is installed.

 

Again likely true. But that wasn’t really my question. I asked should I inspect/test drive my truck before the lift as well as after the lift? Though I appreciate the post, that didn’t address my question.

 

I don’t have an answer, but if you’re getting it from Precision I think I missed out on getting your truck by about a day. Fortunately they had another bare-bones TRD OR 6MT coming in a couple weeks from now that I’ve got a deposit on.

 

Hey fellow Tucsonan! I got my from Desert. I did see that barebones one. Was it MGM?

 

Do after market lifts impact the warranty at all? I’d pay a little more for the peace of mind that comes with knowing it still has full warranty, and will be covered if there are any recalls or whatever.
For example, is the aftermarket lift had a part fail, either from a defect or installation, and caused the truck to roll and be totaled, would you be better off with the factory lift or aftermarket when making a warranty claim?

 

@tstack22
An aftermarket kit will not void your warranty unless it is the direct cause of the issue being questioned and it was not dealer installed. On the other hand, dealer installed aftermarket kits carry full factory warranty. Koons Toyota (my local dealer) installs a lot of Rough Country lifts and aftermarket wheels and tires on their new inventory before they are sold… they have 100% warranty on any and all components. But again, if it’s an aftermarket kit you installed yourself, and the kit was incorrectly installed and damaged the vehicle, it will be the dealerships decision as to if they will cover it or not.

@Panchito V
As per your question: Yes. Always inspect anything and everything. If your taking delivery, look it over top to bottom, in and out. When I bought my 2020 new, I found a very small scratch on the back of the bed… not a really big deal and not noticeable unless you knew where to look, but I had it noted and fixed for free. After the lift is installed, go over it all. Look at bolts, look at brake lines, look for leaks, look around for tool damage, even look at wheels for scratches around lugs… top to bottom! Your spending a lot of money to get a brand new mint condition vehicle, and that’s exactly what you should get! Congratulations by the way And don’t forget your old parts! A lot of dealerships install aftermarket parts and then keep your OEM parts. These are valuable and they are yours! My apologies for getting so off subject on your original post. Hope you enjoy your new rig, and have many great adventures with it!!

 

At a minimum, I would at least look the truck over closely before the lift. Are you having them put on new wheels and/or tires when they do the lift?

 

I’m having Discount Tire put on the wheels and tires. Even the Toyota service department recommended them. Said they have better warranty. So I will be driving off the lifted Taco on its stock wheels. But almost literally taking it directly to Discount when I drove off the lot.

 

Thank you!! This was the type of response I was looking for.

Driving over the parts to the dealership this morning. This is really happening!!! Will have my truck before the end of the week!

 

I’m sure you’ve considered this, but you’ll have to get another alignment after putting on the new wheels/tires. An alignment is part of the lift kit install, so you could save yourself some $ and an addition trip to get an alignment if the wheels are put on with the lift.

 

This is not true. You do not need to do an alignment after changing out wheels and tires. Yes, you do have to have an alignment done after suspension install, simply because you are changing the geometry of the components. An alignment, while true they do mount the calibration eyes to the wheel, is not aligning the wheel. It’s aligning the hub the wheel is mounted to through manipulation of the suspension components. The wheel just acts as a fixated mounting point for the calibration. No matter what size wheel you mount to the hub, the fixated point of the hub does not change. The height of the vehicle from the ground to the hubs center may change due to tire size, but the alignment will stay the exact same. Any knowledgeable and honest mechanic will tell you this, anyone that says different just wants to make money off you.