Updated! Likelihood of a Warranty? Or Better Yet: Toyota Fighting Me

Hey everyone,

So I have a 2021 AT TRD OR, very familiar with 4x4 high and low range, lockers etc. Sitting not exactly stock a set of 33" skinny tires, no UCA or cab rub with factory 16" wheels. However on a road trip home I decided to take an offshoot trail. At its steepest incline the pitch measured in vehicle bounced between 10-20° so let's go ahead and say max 20°.

Started the trail which was quite mild in 4-High. Bit steep in some areas but nothing past 10° pitch, loose dirt, gravel, and rocks. Came to the uphill climb in the previous paragraph and decided this would be a solid chance to give 4-Low a try. Used the specific method to go into 4-Low: foot on brake, shift into neutral, put it into 4-Low, foot off break, and go.

Made my way up hill bouncing between 1-2km/hr, with a 7% increase in tire size I'm still going less than 2mph. I started smelling an intense burning smell. Got myself out of 4L, then out of 4H and got myself down the hill. Got out and under the truck and the transfer case definitely smelled hot and like burning gear oil. I'm a little fat, so getting deeper underneath was difficult lol. Hoping it's just a quick drain and fill required and nothing is damaged.

However my biggest question is:
If something in the diff, transfer case, or even transmission is damaged, can Toyota try to use my increase in tire size against me? If you've had a similar issue or know someone who did, did they try to use it against you? How did you mitigate it?

Update: I've checked in with some groups in the area and I've had a lot of great feedback about numerous dealerships that don't pin modifications on problems. I'll ask for a diagnosis and while they've got my truck in the air I'll just ask for fluid changes if all looks fine.

 

How did you fit 33s with stock suspension?

Are you sure it was the transfer case that smelled like burning oil?

 

First off: You are not stock if you do not have stock tires on your truck. The extra weight will/may contribute to any issues in the future.
Second: Yes, Toyota will try to use it against you. Good luck with your fight. Swap your tires back to stock, if you can before you take it to the dealership. Say nothing of your off roading.

 

I've always gone with a slightly bigger tire on all my trucks and never had them question it when it came to warranties. But stuffing 33s on stock suspension is going to make it painfully obvious.
It really depends on the service writer and if he feels like noting you have bigger tires. Some look past it and some make a big deal about it.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/smoking-while-on-a-incline.511373/

Could it have been engine oil smoking/burning?

 

Are you manual trans (maybe you just burnt the clutch)? Doesn’t seem likely the t-case would get that hot, much less stink just going up a hill under 2 mph.

 

I just changed my transfer case fluid. After researching I decided to go with the expensive Toyota OEM fluid.

https://parts.highcountrytoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-transfer-gear-oil-lf-0888581080?origin=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3qOO-8m6-QIVexmtBh2N9QBIEAQYAiABEgLCUvD_BwE

 

yes I agree with you 100% exactly what I was gonna say wish you the best luck man.that sucks and that shouldn't be happing with something so small.

 

I did consider this but there was zero smoke, checked the oil and it looked beautiful still, no burning scent past abnormal.

 

Auto, I'll add that to the og post.

 

do you have automatic Transmission?

 

Really weird that you would experience that. I would say dealers are 50/50 on whether they will hold your tires or modifications against you. I would actually venture to say that since that is your only modification, most dealerships are pretty oblivious and won't even notice the tires.

Good luck. Hope it is covered / is nothing too serious. In all my years of off-roading relatively modified Toyotas, I've never had an issue like that on such a mild obstacle.

 

lets see the truck!

 

is it fine now? and when did the smell go away ?

 

Skinnies. 255/85R16 fit on factory 16" TRD OR wheels.

 

Other than your nose indicator, did anything else happen?

No?

Does everything still work as it should?

Yes?

Drive it.

 

yes, toyota can use the tire size against you.

did you have a chance to check the gear oil?

 

Been in 2WD only since yesterday morning but I'll go under in a moment and take a whiff.

 

just don't take the chance man put the stock tires back on then take it in I wish you the best man.i would be really upset if this happened to me.