Anyone paranoid about upgrading?

[SUPERDUTYSPV]

I have heard that Ford is denying warrantee work over any type of mods. I have been wanting to upgrade my exhaust and a few other things. I am afraid to add anything........I can not afford Ford to void my warrantee. Am I the only one?

[99Smokin73Stroker]

It seems like it's getting to the point where you can't even put a bug shield on without voiding the warranty these days. I think that the aftermarket is so big now the just about everyone is doing something to their vehicle. Maybe the manufacturers were beginning to notice a trend in an increasing number of claims? I know that it doesn't affect me, as I bought mine used and it was out of the warranty long ago. Apparently they can even tell if you've used any programmers like SuperChips too. I guess "back to stock for the dealer service" isn't going to work anymore. Some stuff we can do I would say should void the warranty like the extreme HP chips that are available. But things like a good intake and exhaust shouldn't as manufacturers know that their factory stuff is far less efficient than it could be. Same goes for programmers, the power is there to begin with! It's just an outsider making it available for you!

[HiTechRedneck]

We talked to the service guy at the dealership about this. He told us that they had a lot of problems with burned up tranny's due to chips, so when the "big guys" come out from Ford to look at your vehicle if there are any tranny problems, they will not honor the warranty if they see you have or had a chip.

The head service guy told us as that we can do an exhaust, air filter kit and guages and the warranty will be good. If we do a chip and have any MAJOR trouble and the "big guys" find out when they come out to take a look at it, they will NOT honor the warranty.

[99Smokin73Stroker]

I think that's a load of .... well you all know. But then again I understand that with the huge growth of diesel performance that more and more people are going to be running their trucks hard. And the obvious result is going to be wear on drivetrain parts spefically the tranny. I'm sure it's gotten to the point where the manu's can't lose any more money than they already have on replacing trannies that they otherwise wouldn't have had to. My solution is that they come with fully built ATS trannies right from the factory!! I know I want an ATS in my truck bad!

[turbotime]

OK, so I have had some paranoya about my chip too, because I have had some problems since it has been in. HOWEVER---> I also have some connections and have been to just take the chip out (reprogram to factory settings, etc.) before taking truck in and DONT mention it at all!!!! The key is to never let them know about it.

I would also like to share this letter with you. The guy that I go to to do the "upgrades" gave me a copy of it:

http://flashyhorsefoto.com/fordwarranty.pdf

I still took the chip out though, when I took my truck in because it was just as easy. And if they ask questions: DENY, DENY, DENY. Hey, for one thing, if you take the tuning out, and suddenly the truck runs fine, then you have solved your own problem right! Otherwise, it is FORD'S problem, let'em deal with it!!!

good luck ya'all

~Sib

[Rodslinger]

Nope - no worries. If have any problems, I'll reload my original tune (and I read somewhere to disconnect the batteries and reconnect) and take her in. SO many people run programmers it not even funny and all the dealers seem to tell people that it horrible for the truck. No offense to anyone here but most dealer's know NOTHING mechanically about the vehicles they sell.

[99Smokin73Stroker]

It's all about saving a dollar. I'm sure they know that most of the chips out there other than the custom burnt ones are very safe and don't cause any premature wear or added stress, crap like that. They just don't wanna fix something for nothing!

[Rodslinger]

Yeah - heck the guy that sold me my truck had only worked there two weeks and knew ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the PSD, or any Ford truck for that matter. I had done my homework for months, so it didn't' really matter but to hear him say to me - "and be sure not to use a programmer, they're bad for it".......uh yeah. Go back to the Yugo dealership you came from, I'll be fine, thanks.

[SUPERDUTYSPV]

I wasn't talking about chips, although I have never wanted to chip my truck. ( I thought I wanted a chip for my 00 V-10) I want to do an aftermarket exhaust, wheels tires........ I had been thinking about a Banks something or Bully Dog. Anyway.......

[Rodslinger]

You'll be fine with exhaust and wheels/tires SDSPV, trust me. Some (Most I imagine) of the dealers hate the chips and tuners - actually I've read where people say their dealer doesn't mind but I wouldn't personally press the issue.