[kbwwolf]

Think about this logic for a minute. Doesn't this really mean that if you can't afford to fix it when it breaks, then you should NEVER mod it? Whether in or out of warranty, if your mods break it, it's not covered, right? So don't mod, period.

In fact, practically I think it actually makes more sense to mod while you're under warranty. At least in that scenario, you have a CHANCE of it being covered. There are many members who have gotten their driveshafts replaced "under warranty" when the reason the shafts were bad in the first place was clearly their huge aftermarket lift. They just happened to stumble upon a "cool" dealer and got a free replacement.

If they'd waited until their warranty was out, none of those free driveshafts would've been provided.

My dealer is very much like that. I raised the mod / warranty issue early with my salesman, and was assured that – except in the most unusual circumstances – only my aftermarket parts wouldn't be covered under warranty. I made the rounds with the service department, and even one of the sales managers, and heard the same thing.

This dealership also routinely installs mods for customers, and at any given time has 4-5 new Jeeps with lifts/tires/rims/bumpers etc on their lot, which are modded by a local 4x4 shop at the dealership's request.

After most of my mods were done a couple of weeks ago I swung by there to sell them my stock wheels. Just about every one of the sales guys, and a couple of folks from finance, came out to look at the Jeep, peer under the hood (most of them think an sPOD is "magic") and generally compliment me on my build.

I've e-mailed them links to aftermarket headlights (Daniel Stern, LED's, etc), as well as info on mid-range lift kits that would minimize hassles for specific customers.

In short, the letter of the law will initially be interpreted by the sheriff's deputy in the cruiser who stops you. Which is why that deputy is not allowed to also pass sentence.

If your dealership sounds like they're the type to battle you over every tiny little fix because you've modded your Jeep, then maybe you shouldn't mod it.

Personally, I'd find another dealer, or just fight em like hell.

 

[kbwwolf]

Man, you guys rock! This forum is a great resource for collective wisdom, experience and good advice.

As a Wrangler newb, the number of choices in the marketplace for parts and service is overwhelming. And crooked-ass dealers don't help much, either. But that's part of the game, right?

I'll ignore the dealer I mentioned in my initial post (Lake Norman CDJ in Corneilius, N.C., by the way) and take my business where it's respected.

Meanwhile, thanks again for chiming in. So damn the torpedoes, 2-inch aftermarket lift at a respected independent shop, here we come!

:thumb: