I am looking to make some mods to my 2000 Expy EB (exhaust, chip, K&N FIPK, and sway bars). Before making the investment I want to be sure that I not void the warranty.

I'm clear that a custom exhaust will not void the warranty but have received mixed messages from the dealer that chip and FIPK upgrades voids the factory warranty. One guy I talked to (from my service dept)said no problem and another (from another dealer's service dept) said these two upgrades voids the warranty.

Does anyone out there know the truth and care to share?

-darcmann

 

Technically speaking all performance mods void the warranty. Even if you change the oil filter with a K & N or put bigger tires and different wheels on the Expedition.

Ford leaves the rejection up to the dealer's discretion, though. Let me tell you a story about a 91 Mustang I had. It went from 16 seconds (it was an auto, convertible) to 10.50 seconds in the quarter mile. I put on bolt on parts like pulleys, heads , header, exhaust and gears. My dealer considered these mild. He replaced the auto transmission 3 times in 1.5 years.

When I finally put a supercharger on it , I was turned away right away. Small barely noticeable mods are accepted, The chip may affect the computer and diagnostic equipment. The exhaust and mass air meter are your best bet. The dealer can tell what mods you made, no matter how stealth, the mechanics are still true blue gearheads.

The bottom line is small items like air intake, exhaust ( with cats) and a chip and gears , you can get away with. When you start tearing the engine down and buying power adders, you will definately void the waranty, even if you use Ford Motorsport parts.

Now with the Expedition, consider it is a heavy **** truck. How fast do you want to go? 17 sec, 16, sec or 12 sec? Keep in mind "tire wear " is also important. I remember the dealer looking at my bald back tires on that 91 Mustang and shaking his head after the second transmission was replaced.

When I added the nitrous and a C-4 transmission I bought a Haynes manual and started repairing my own car. I had 30,000 miles at the time. But I knew the dealer was not going to give me any rhythm in warranty claims!

So be careful and think about the big picture. You may consider buing a used Mustang or Thunderbird. I own an 86, that flies. I use my 98 Expedition to cruise and haul, which is it's true calling.

 

These upgrades will not void or affect the factory warranty in any way. This is a very misunderstood subject in the aftermarket customer circles. There is a law protecting vehicle owners from just this fraudulent behavior practiced by some automotive dealers. The Magnusson-Moss Warranty- Federal Trade commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnusson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment that improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer?s original warranty, unless the warranty clearly states the addition of aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicles warranty or that the aftermarket device is the direct cause of the failure. The easiest way to check this is to look in your owner?s manual under, "what is not covered".

Here is the link to the actual law.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/ch50.html#PC50

Here is another site you can look at from an aftermarket manufacturer that tells you what the dealers can and cannot do.

http://www.diablosport.com/warranty.htm