Convince Son Not To Lift 2023 Tacoma Off Road

I just helped my 18 year old son buy his 2023 Tacoma Off Road V6. Co signed Loan and helped him with getting low cost comprehensive insurance. He dropped out of college (didn't like it) and just got a well paying blue collar job. He needed a reliable way to get to work and has a long drive (currently living at home due to high cost of rent and housing- we live in Hawaii). The drive can be through heavy rain, wind, roads falling apart that are full of pot holes a foot deep, so we need a truck that can handle it without falling apart. Son wants to also do some off roading. We decided on the Taco OR with V6. BTW, my first car was a used 4 year old, 1978 FJ40 and I now have a 1990 FJ80,bought used 14 years ago, I like Toyota. To the point- son wants to raise his truck 6 inches and add big wheels and tire (in my day we would call it a "jacked up truck"). I am telling him leave it as is as you need a reliable truck and doing all these mods will screw it up (probably also void warranty). Also, I am tired of fixing old cars (I have never owed a new car and all my rides now are 20-30 years old- need constant maintenance to keep reliable), So I got the extended warranty to cover the next 10 years of the Taco.
Should I convince Son not to lift the truck?

 

6 inch lifts require cutting the frame and that is not entirely reversible.

Tell him that once he pays off the lien that has your name on it, he can do whatever he wants then. Until then, it stays stock, and his play money should be going into the bank.

 

Lift it 2”, get 32-33” tires. Scratches the itch he has without permanently altering the truck and making it perform worse. A 6” lift is dumb.

 

6” lift?

 

You in the wrong place. Like asking the mud caked crazies in the mosh pit, should my son jump in? At least MAYBE he gets good advice here. Maybe.

 

6" lift will void all kinds of warranties making your extended warranty purchase worthless

 

Well that explains the desire for 6" lift, probably wants small wide tires, too

 

Guys (and Gals), thanks for the replies, giving me good ammo to defend my case. I have said some of these things to him but I am dealing with an 18 year old. BTW, my 91 FJ80 is completely stock as was my FJ40 when I had it (although bigger wheels and tires would have made the FJ40 look better). I am just afraid son is going to stop by the shop "Maui Off Road" on his way home from work one day and get them to "jack the truck".

 

This is it

 

Correct, and shinney chrome wheels.....

 

^ This, and as long as you're the one financially obligated to pay off the loan (as cosigner you WILL be if he defaults) AND you want to preserve that expensive extended warranty, NO LIFT. A Tacoma OR is more than adequate for most off-roading.

 

I will answer this very easy,, HELL NO >>> LOOKING FOR ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE. <<<

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/alwayshi-17-mgm-dcsb-build.503791/


@alwaysHI

 

Warranty is the least of your issues in this case. If you need to get out of the loan for some reason -- and you as the co-signer have a say in that -- dealers won't buy back a 6" monstrosity and selling it will be more difficult. It's Hawaii so selling a stupidly lifted useless Tacoma won't be impossible but it's still more difficult.

As mentioned earlier there might be some practical benefit in a mild lift, like the Toyota TRD Lift Kit (2" or so), and then some 32-33" wheels that doesn't create resale or warranty issues.

 

6 lmao? My buddy owns a gladiator and lifted it 3.5 with 37s and its a tad too tall for his liking

 

Good luck convincing an 18 year old anything. I spent $7,000 and broke all kinds of stuff on my Tacoma when I was 18. Learned a good lesson.

I will also repeat the others, 6” is too much.

 

A 6'' lifted Taco is a pretty poor DD. I'd bet gas isn't cheap either and a 6'' lift and fatty tires aren't going to make the MPG go up either. U-joints, [no longer covered] all drive train parts most likely, and anything else related will be no longer covered either. May as well ask for your extended warranty money back right now minus the time used. [and still under manf warranty]

Most people learn after one time to never co-sign ANYTHING, be it for family, friends, or politicians.

 

Do it...Do it...Do it....Do it...!!

 

I lived in Hanalei, and I have driven the 6” jacked up Hawaiian trucks with the stretched tires on ridiculously large rims and yes, that is totally screwing up your truck and adding zero functionality. But it’s a lifestyle out there and some big dudes might kick my Haole ass if I complain about it too hard.