Hey gang

Im purchasing 275/55/20s for my 2020 HSE pictured. I know they will fit but what do we think about a 1” Johnson rod lift? Im nervous about the CPO warranty and frankly if it’s even needed. The size difference from OEM is only width really.

thoughts??

 

Essentially the same dimeter as stock (0.1" shorter), I see no need to lift the truck. Why mess with the warranty?

 

Kinda what I been thinking.

 

I will say the Defender (in my case P400 110X) looks a heck of a lot "meaner" with the 1.5 rod lift I have on mine. I really think the stock height should have been a bit higher.

That said if you haul granny around she won't be able to hop in with your new 1.5" higher access height. And yes, you can do LLAMS but that seems totally unnecessary to me and a bit of an install.

I've popped these lift rods off 2x for dealer appointments, keep the stock ones int he glovebox if needed for tows in, and have had warranty repairs without issue since. Ironically the dealer is also the place that did an alignment AFTER I installed the 1.5" rods. Lol.

 

For a 2020 Defender, the warranty period is likely up. It's a very anemic/pathetic duration. So, if warranty is your concern - likely off the table. If you're concerned about any damage, then don't. There's an entire pinned thread sponsored by the vendor who sells those and I haven't heard of a single fault due to lift rods (yet). And as lift rods go, 1" is not a big deal. Hardly even noticeable. The only problem I've heard of was from @sarek but he has a huge body lift under there. I think everyone agrees that his issue (drive shaft?) was due to mods. He tried to get it warrantied and it was a no go, but I think that was just a "hail Mary" attempt. He is exceptional with Land Rovers and I don't think it's that big of a deal for him (other than the hassle of having to leave SCARR a day or so early). So a 1" Johnson Rod lift... this amateur thinks you will be fine. But if you're concerned, don't do it. You be you is my internet motto. Good luck! It's an exceptional vehicle either way.

Personally, I'm with @nashvegas and have a 1.5" lift and think it's perfect. But, when the Warranty Gods get angry, it's going to be the least of my concerns. The Defender is so over built, I doubt it will be an issue. And if needed, it takes all of 30 minutes to switch them out.

 

Manufacturers warranty is 4 years 50,000 miles - so unless you are driving 20000 miles a year (during the pandemic) its very unlikely the warranty is up.

What a strange statement when it's absurdly easy to find how long the new vehicle warranty is

 

having owned some heavily lifted trucks in the past, i'm pretty happy to just leave my p400 the way it is. has more than enough height and clearance for my needs. i'm also about to move from the stock 255/60/20's to some "beefier" 275/55/20's, and from what i've seen here on this forum, i'd expect it work out just fine (and look a little better too).

 

Thanks, @DoctorofRocks . I would have sworn anything that it was 2yr/20K. I must need caffeine in my life! I'll check my original paperwork, but everything on-line says I've been seriously messed up for the last 18mos. Maybe I should treat it better now? Definitely puts a crimp in my plans to add the e-Diff this winter.

 

LoL, you seriously thought the new warranty was 2ys/20K!? Anyway, the OP's truck is CPO as he stated which is going to give him additional warranty cover after the original is up.

 

Yes and no. My 2020 Defender was delivered December 2020 new so ... I'm only 20 months into the 48 month warranty, less than 50%.