Yes, the love for Ford trucks! Once a fan always a fan as they say. Remember when you were 14, maybe 15 years old, and so close to getting a driver's license you could taste it? You spent hours looking at pictures of vehicles, all of a sudden you were taking notice of every vehicle on the streets and roads in your town. You were dreaming of your first vehicle. Brings back memories doesn't it?

Discover The Love For Ford Trucks

Anyone that wanted a Ford truck for their first vehicle is probably still a Ford truck lover. It is something in your soul.  Still to this day, a person can drive a Ford truck into town like the 1970 F250 pictured above, and people will stop to ask about it whether they are young or old. The young ones are dreaming of owning their first Ford truck, even a classic like this one. The older people are Ford truck fanatics and can list every one they have owned or still own, or the truck is just bringing back old times with stories attached. The Ford truck is a true icon.

All of us that have a love for Ford trucks also have a desire to make them bigger and better. A bit of chrome, modify or change the engine, a lift kit with bigger tires, one heck of a custom paint job. We are always trying to make our Ford truck stand out. It is a pride thing, that is how much we love them.

When Modifications Become An Issue For Un-Knowing Consumers

Ford trucks that are modified are on every dealer lot and show up for sale at auctions all the time. Why? Because consumers that have a love for Ford trucks will always notice them and possibly make a purchase. It is what we do. Where the modifications can be an issue for a possible consumer, is if the truck is still under warranty. As per Ford's terms;

Damage Caused by Alteration or Modification

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover any damage caused by:

• alterations or modifications of the vehicle, including the body, chassis, or components, after the vehicle leaves the control of Ford Motor Company
• tampering with the vehicle, tampering with the emissions systems or with the other parts that affect these systems (for example, but not limited to exhaust and intake systems)
• the installation or use of a non-Ford Motor Company part (other than a certified emissions part) or any part (Ford or non-Ford) designed for off-road use only installed after the vehicle leaves the control of Ford Motor Company, if the installed part fails or causes a Ford part to fail. Examples include, but are not limited to lift kits, oversized tires, roll bars, cellular phones, alarm systems, automatic starting systems and performance-enhancing powertrain components or software and performance "chips".  (courtesy: www.ford.com/trucks/)

Basically, if there is a lift kit with large tires on the truck and the truck is still under warranty, the owner has a failure in a component of the suspension or steering, if it is deemed that the failure was because of the modification, the warranty does not apply. The owner will have to pay for the repairs. The same applies to "chipping" the engine for more power, or any other modification performed on the truck that might be the cause of a failure in a manufacturer component.

What I have come across recently is consumers (which include independent car dealers) buying these modified trucks that are still under warranty and not knowing Ford's ruling till a component has a failure. They then find out the ruling at their local authorized Ford service department. It becomes a very sticky issue with the owner and a service manager. Trying to explain the ruling to an un-knowing consumer and keeping them as a happy customer is not a very easy task. The consumer is upset because the independent dealer (that probably is not up to date on everything warranty on every unit on their lot) just stated in the selling process about how the truck still had warranty on certain components and how long the warranty will last. Most fail to advice the consumer about the "modification" issue. Who gets to hear how upset that consumer is? The Ford service department.

The moral to the story

Warranty information on any vehicle can be found all over the Internet. When considering buying a vehicle that is still under warranty but has modifications, (which would also include conversions), take the time to educate yourself on what warranties would still apply to that vehicle and which ones would not before making the final purchase. It is not a bad thing to purchase a modified vehicle, whether through a dealer or an auction, just educate yourself first, then make your bid or offer price accordingly.

Ford has gone above and beyond to connect with their consumers and possible new owners. They want to hear your stories and opinions. Feel free to connect with them at Ford Social. Ford is listening to consumers and making changes in vehicles constantly to provide the consumer with what they want in a vehicle, especially their truck line.