Dealer lifts, is it a trend?

I looked at some ORPs this weekend at a couple of local dealers. All of the used ones and most new ones had a dealer added lift with new wheels and tires. Asking price of the vehicles we’re about 15k over MSRP. I know the added lift didn’t cost that. Is any one else seeing this? Is this a way for dealers to keep the prices high and let the buyer feel like they are getting something for their money?

 

This isn’t new, dealers always mark up hoping someone with more money than brains walks in.

 

Lift??? It’s a spacer. Take a look. Just what i have noticed

 

Oh they do. Cars are sold like crazy

 

Even more so now with new cars being so short in supply.

 

Yes sir. They add $150 in parts and add $6k to the price

 

More like leveling, not a lift.

 

More like 16k added to the price. An ORP was 66k.

 

I bought mine new at the dealership with Readylift SST (spacer lift), with Pro rims and RG 285's for $

Drives great on and off road. No issues.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by my local dealer and looked at a Off-Road Prem they had in the lot.

It had method wheels, 285 BFG’s and an OME 2.5 or 3” lift. It looked pretty well done, by the local 4WP store, and they wanted $7500 over msrp. Is didn’t have KDSS, which I really wanted, but it seemed pretty well set up and done.

I know 7500 is more than the parts together but it didn’t seem really outrageous ?

 

Some are paying way more for bone stock. With the market the way it is, you could do a lot worse. I also would hope that it means all that work/parts are included in warranty, so that could be worth something too.

 

RSG set up my Runner for the dealer: OME/Bilstein lift, sliders, Black Rhino wheels, and 285 AT3W's. Parts cost was around $3500 and the dealer marked it up to $6000. I was happy to pay the extra to have everything (almost) I would have done, installed by an awesome shop. There's a value to my time/effort researching and installing everything, whereas my truck was set up professionally and under warranty when I drove it off the lot. I'm not lacking in brains (though SWMBO may disagree), and could have done everything, but it was worth the extra money to me for RSG to do the work. Plus, RSG made some money too, which is good. We need to keep shops like theirs in business. The only change I might have made would have been different wheels. I like, not love, the Warlords. But they have been fantastic, so I'm not complaining much.

 

see…..this works. TE in Escondido adds a spacer and tires. Legit $6k mark up. And they sell TONS of them

 

I can wrap my head around the 6k mark up for the spacer, tires and wheels….. it’s the other 10k on top of everything that gives me heart ache.

 

hahaha!! Exactly. But a weekend and $150 spacers will give you the same

 

Coincidentally, I am in San Diego. I haven’t been by Toyota Escondido yet. I’ve been dealing with Toyota Carlsbad and Temecula Valley.

 

My ol neck of the woods!! Both are fantastic dealerships. Stick with Carlsbad. I had had great experiences with them.

Escondido just had what I wanted

 

in 2017 when I got the SR5 dealer offered a lift "ReadyLift kit" for $1000 parts and labor. But there were 4Runner, Tacoma & Tundras with same brand kit already installed in the showroom area.

 

My sister in-law bought a 2018 ORP with lift, 285's, aftermarket rims and running boards for over $50,000 new from the dealership. She did not reveal the exact price. Probably a $42,000 vehicle before modified in 2018.

 

Toyota is looking at a 60% reduction of vehicles shipping into the American market. The lack of availability becoming an increase in price is just beginning.

 

That's what I got. Dealership did it. There are probably hundreds of 4Runners and Tacoma's in my area with the same setup.

Fortunately, I haven't been struck by lightning yet by the suspension gods.

 

With such a limited supply of cars to sell, just another way for the dealer to maximize it's profit on a sale. With less choices for a buyer, they are more inclined to purchase a already modified 4R.

 

That would be me.

 

Here's a couple questions for you on the ReadyLift setup - when a dealer installs these prior to the sale, do they lift the rear also, and, do they change out the struts/shocks at all? If not, wouldn't that over extend the oem struts and/or shocks (if lifted in the rear) with the spacer?

 

Exactly. They hope to make up some of the production numbers towards years end, but the supply is not going to get better in the short term.

 

I wouldn’t say it’s a trend. I know when I worked for 4WP back in the day, we did lift kit and drop kit installs for dealerships. Is it more pricey? Yeah, but certified mechanics tend to cost more and of course the dealership is going to triple what 4WP charges. Been the norm for a long time. Funniest part is, if you trade in a lifted truck, they won’t usually give you more for the lift. So paying them for it is money down the drain.

 

Yes they install spacers in the back.

No they didn't replace the shocks/struts. They are factory. Is this a problem? No clue, I've done plenty of off roading, today as a matter of fact.

Would longer travel shocks/ struts be better? Probably but I am running it as is. A side note, I don't drive like the Dukes of Hazard.

Readylift claims that their kits maintain the stock ride. I would agree. Ride is soft and comfortable, both on and off road.

The dealership I deal with has dedicated mechanics that do the mods. I will say to their credit that my truck was setup great. No issues with lift or 285's after nearly 20k miles.

https://www.readylift.com/3-f-2-r-sst-lift-kit-toyota-4runner-fj-cruiser-2003-2018-1.html

 

I’d hate to derail this into a “will it fit” thread, but did they have to do a bmc or put on ucas to push the caster up to keep the 285s from rubbing?

 

No bmc, stock UCA, they just did the front fender trim per the Toyota service bulletin/letter?

Did not have to remove the front mud flaps, which is a good thing.

I'm running the TRD Pro rims with no wheel spacers.

Truck tracks straight down the road as far as alignment. The specific caster/camber setup, I have no clue but I would assume it would be within spec, whatever that is.

Bottom line, the truck looks great, drives great and zero tire rubbing.

 

Only if you already own the vehicle. If you don’t, you’ll pay a markup today (lift or not) or you’ll wait until next year.