Leasing can be an attractive option for people looking to get into a new truck, but there are extra considerations that need to be made if any modifications are planned. Because a leased vehicle is technically still owned by the dealership, potential leasers may be wary of doing any customizations. However, there are still options for people that are interested in both the financial benefits of leasing as well as having the ability to modify their truck.
What can you do to a leased truck? This depends on whether you want to maintain your warranty and if you plan to buy out the lease, as most dealers only accept lease returns in stock form. Modifications that are generally warranty safe and cost-effective if not bought out include:
- Exhausts
- Wheels and Tires
- Cosmetics
The two most significant considerations that need to be made when modifying a leased vehicle are whether you plan to buy out the lease when it is over, and how much risk you want to take with giving the dealer reasons to deny your warranty claims. These are complex issues that need to be carefully researched before modifying a leased truck, but luckily for you, everything you need to know can be found in the remainder of this article.
Warranty Considerations
One of the huge benefits of leasing a truck is that it comes with a new-vehicle warranty. These generally offer great coverage, so it’s no surprise that most leasers don’t want to give it up. However, while many people are under the false impression that modifying a vehicle automatically voids the warranty, this is actually not the case.
A dealership can only deny a warranty claim on a leased truck (or any warrantied truck) if they can prove that the modification caused a failure that is now in need of repair. We have the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 to thank for this.
About Magnuson-Moss
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a law that was passed back in 1975 to protect consumers against unsavory warranty claims practices by manufacturers. While there are various provisions laid out in the law, the important one is as follows: warrantors cannot require that only manufacturer-certified or branded parts be used to keep the warranty intact.
What this means for truck leasers is that the dealer is not legally allowed to void a warranty outright because of a modification. Instead, they can only deny a warranty claim if they can prove that the change caused a failure.
How Magnuson-Moss Works with Car Dealers
While the law sounds reasonably straight forward, don’t be surprised if the dealer pulls out every stop in the book in their efforts to deny your warranty claims. While they won’t be able to prove that an aftermarket set of tires caused engine failure, they can and will attempt to make the case that an aftermarket engine “tune” caused an engine failure.
Therefore, certain advanced and more intrusive modifications should be avoided on leased trucks. These modifications to avoid include:
- Internal engine parts (cam, rods, pistons, etc.)
- Turbos/superchargers
- Fuel system parts
- Engine tune
- Significant suspension changes (big lift kits or extreme lowering)
Because these parts significantly change the way that your truck runs and drives, it will not be difficult for the manufacturer to prove that they caused any failure related to the drivetrain. Additionally, because most of these modifications will increase the power output of your truck, these modifications can also be easily linked to drivetrain failures like broken axles, differentials, and transmissions.
So, if you plan to modify your leased truck, it’s crucial to take into consideration how those changes will affect your warranty. If you don’t want trouble with the dealership when making warranty claims, you should avoid intrusive and significant modifications.
Are You Going to Buy Out the Lease?
The other primary consideration that needs to be made when considering the modification of a leased truck is whether you plan to buy out the lease when it is over. Because leased vehicles are still technically owned by the dealer (and are therefore essentially long-term rentals), it may not be cost-effective to modify a leased truck.
If a truck is purchased rather than leased, any modifications can be kept on the vehicle for as long as the owner would like, allowing them to get much more time and enjoyment out of the money spent on it.
So, if you plan to return your truck when the lease is up, it may not be wise to spend too much money modifying it. Additionally, most dealers will only accept lease-returns in stock form, so you will have to spend time returning your truck back to stock before turning it in. And, while you can re-sell your aftermarket parts, don’t expect to get much more than half of what you paid for them on the second-hand market.
Modifications to Consider for Your Leased Truck
So now that we’ve thoroughly discussed the warranty and buy-out considerations that go into modifying a leased truck, it’s time to get to the fun stuff: the things that you can do to a leased vehicle. Despite the restrictions outlined above, there are quite a few options for people looking to modify their leased trucks that are warranty-friendly and won’t break the bank; they’re all listed below:
Exhaust Systems
Exhaust systems are a fantastic option for the first modification to any truck. They are easy to install and can make the driving experience much more enjoyable by increasing the volume and improving the tone of your truck’s exhaust. Additionally, exhaust systems come with several other benefits in addition to sound, including:
- Better-looking exhaust tips
- Slight horsepower increase
- More durable/corrosion resistant
When obtained and installed correctly, all of these benefits can be had for a reasonable price, and your truck will be much more enjoyable to drive after the updated exhaust is placed. So, what should you consider when looking for an exhaust system?
How loud do you want your truck to be?
This is perhaps the most crucial thing that needs to be considered when looking into aftermarket exhaust options. Some exhausts will be significantly louder than others, and it’s essential to make sure that you get an exhaust that suits your needs. The best way to determine what level of volume is right for you is by doing some research on YouTube and online truck forums. These are both fantastic resources where you can speak with and hear from real owners about their experiences with aftermarket exhausts.
As a bonus, the people that tend to spend time on truck forums are people that know their stuff. In addition to letting you know exactly how loud the exhaust will be, they will be able to discuss the fitment, ease of installation, and overall quality of the system.
What material is the exhaust made out of?
Aftermarket exhausts can be made from many different materials, some being much higher quality, and thus, much more expensive than others. And while cost-effectiveness should always be a consideration, it’s generally best to spend a bit more on an exhaust that is made out of high-quality materials rather than one that is made cheaply. The most common materials used in aftermarket exhausts are as follows:
- Mild steel: Mild steel is the cheapest metal used in aftermarket exhaust systems. It is easy to work with and inexpensive to produce and buy, but it comes with some downsides. The biggest downside to a mild steel exhaust is that it is more prone to rust than other materials. While you probably won’t notice the difference in sound between mild steel and say, titanium exhaust, you will see the increased rust over time.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is an excellent middle-ground between mild steel and more high-end materials. It is much less likely to rust over time than mild steel but is still relatively cheap to produce for suppliers and buy for consumers. Because of this, stainless steel is one of the most common materials used in aftermarket exhausts and is the material that we recommend for most people looking into an aftermarket system (309-grade stainless steel is most common, and is perfectly suitable for most applications). However, there are better options than stainless steel for those looking to spare absolutely no expense (just be sure that you’re comfortable buying out your lease if you fall into this category!).
- Titanium: Barring some of the more posh, bespoke materials, titanium is the most high-end common exhaust material on the market, and is overkill in almost every application. However, it is not just bragging rights when buying a titanium exhaust, as they do offer a significant weight reduction compared to stainless steel. That being said, weight reduction is typically not a consideration for truck owners, so we wouldn’t bother with titanium exhausts on your truck.
What brand exhaust is right for you?
So, you’ve determined how loud you want your truck to be, and you’ve decided on an exhaust material that is right for you. Now it’s time to pick out a brand. Picking the right brand is important for several reasons, but the most important reasons to choose a good brand are as follows:
- Good craftsmanship
- Proper fitment
- Customer service
Many people have been down the road of purchasing exhausts from cheaper brands to save some cash, and they learned their lesson! The above reasons are just a few of many that will hopefully sway you into going for a system from a well-established brand. So, what are some well-established brands?
- Corsa Performance: Corsa has been making high-quality exhaust systems for many different makes and models since 1998, and has built a reputation for making exhausts that not only sound amazing but are made with excellent craftsmanship. You can rest assured that you’re getting the absolute best that money can buy when buying a Corsa exhaust system.
- Borla Exhaust: If you’ve heard someone talking about aftermarket exhaust systems, you’ve probably heard them talking about Borla. Borla has been a leader in the exhaust category for years, and their established reputation makes them a fantastic go-to for someone who is merely looking to buy from a brand that is guaranteed to deliver a high-quality product. As a bonus, Borla makes a system for almost every make and model under the sun, so you should have no problem finding a Borla exhaust for your truck.
- Magnaflow: Whereas Corsa and Borla fill out the upper echelon of aftermarket exhaust suppliers, Magnaflow takes the spot of the more affordable brand on this list. That doesn’t mean that they sacrifice much in terms of quality, though. If you’re looking to get the same guaranteed fitment that you do from Borla and Corsa, but don’t place much value on the brand-name, Magnaflow might be the best option for you.
The brands mentioned above are all fantastic options for truck-owners looking into aftermarket exhausts and are great to places to buy from if you want to guarantee yourself a hassle-free exhaust upgrade experience.
Wheels
Wheels are the single most significant cosmetic modification that one can make to a truck, and the reason is simple: they transform the look of the vehicle. OEM manufacturers typically go for reserved designs on the stock wheels to appeal to the masses, but the masses are no consideration for your own personal truck. Therefore, picking out a set of wheels that suits your style entirely is a great way to transform the look of your vehicle, without having any negative impacts on your lease agreement.
Like aftermarket exhausts, the world of aftermarket wheels is quite complex, and choosing the right set requires a lot of careful consideration.
Size
One of the first things to consider when buying aftermarket wheels is what size wheel you would like. Wheel sizes are measured using three different numbers: diameter, width, and offset.
- Diameter: The diameter of the wheel is the number that most people will say when asked how large their wheels are, and is simply a measure of the width of the face of the wheel (also known as the rim). Diameter is measured in inches, and on trucks can range from anywhere as small as 16 inches up to 25 inches or more on some crazier aftermarket setups. Typically though, it’s best to stick to a wheel diameter that is within 2-3 inches of the stock wheels to avoid issues with fitment, assuming you will be maintaining stock ride height.
- Width: The width of the wheel is—you guessed it—a measure of how wide the wheel is, from the outside of the barrel to the inside. This is also measured in inches and can range from anything as narrow as 7 inches to as wide as 20 inches, though the latter option is quite extreme and is only found on some of the more outlandish truck builds. Like diameter, it is best to stick with a width 1-2 inches larger than your stock wheels, to avoid problems with rubbing and other generally undesirable fitting problems.
- Offset: Offset is the most complex of the wheel measurements, but it is also one of the most important. A wheel’s offset is a measure of how far away from the centerline of the barrel the hub mounting surface is. Offset is measured in millimeters and can be anywhere from -50 to 50 and anywhere in between. For example, if a wheel has an offset of -20, the mounting surface of the wheel will be 20mm off-center, closer to the hub than it is to the outside of the truck. This will make the wheel poke out more, which can give the truck a more squatted and aggressive stance. As with the other measurements, it is best to remain close to the factory offset on stock suspension setups to avoid fitting issues, typically within 15-20mm.
So, putting all of these measurements together will look something like this: 20 x 10 et -10 (where “et” represents offset). A wheel with these measurements will have a diameter of 20 inches, a width of 10 inches, and an offset of -10mm.
Cast or Forged?
The two most common forms of wheel construction are cast and forged. Cast wheels are the cheaper of the two options and do have some subsequent downsides compared to more expensive forged wheels.
To start, though, let’s look at what precisely the difference between cast and forged wheels is. Cast wheels are made by pouring a metal (usually aluminum) into a mold to shape the metal into the form of a wheel. Forged wheels, on the other hand, are made from a solid piece of aluminum, and excess material is machined away to shape that solid piece into the shape of a wheel. The forging process is much more expensive than the casting process, but it does come with some benefits.
The benefit of forged wheels is that they are much more durable than cast wheels, and are much more resistant to damage from potholes and any other potentially hazardous road imperfections. So, while more expensive, there is a tangible advantage to having forged wheels over cast ones.
However, on a truck, forged wheels are going to be less important than on a car, as trucks tend to have tires with larger sidewalls that do an excellent job of protecting the wheels from pothole damage. Because of this, we would recommend a high-quality set of cast wheels over a more expensive set of forged wheels for your vehicle.
Deciding on the right set of wheels for your truck can be a complicated process, but after carefully considering the things mentioned above, it all comes down to personal preference. The best thing to do is to look at your options carefully and take the time to decide on a style that suits you!
Tires
So you’ve decided on a great set of aftermarket wheels, and have decided to spring for tires to match. Luckily, picking out a good set of tires (we’d recommend off-road tires on your truck, both for aesthetics and functionality) is a relatively simple process, but that’s not to say that it is something that should be done in a rush. It’s still important to pick the correct size and go with a trusted and reliable tire brand.
Tire Sizes
The size tire that you end up choosing will mainly be a function of the wheel size that you choose. However, there is some room for customization with tire sizes, so let’s take a moment to break them down.
Tire measurements are typically expressed as follows: 255/55-20.
The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters, and this will have to be chosen based on the width of the wheel, as you need to select a tire width that at least somewhat matches it. If you don’t, you may end up stretching the tire to fit the wheel, which looks as odd as it is unsafe.
The next number is called the aspect ratio, and this is a measure of the size of the sidewall of the tire. Aspect ratios are a percentage of the width of the tire, so in the above example, the sidewall will be 55% as tall as the tire is wide, or 55% of 255 millimeters (140.25mm).
The last number is simply the diameter wheel that the tire will fit or the size of the hole in the center of the tire. This must match the diameter of the wheel, without exception.
Customizing Tire Sizes
While tire sizes are limited by the dimensions of the wheel that they will be going on, there is a bit of room to customize them to your liking, specifically with the aspect ratio, and just a little bit with the width.
The aspect ratio of the tire is the only measurement that is not limited by the size of the wheel and can be as large as the truck’s fender wells will fit. However, just because a large aspect ratio tire fits on the truck while it isn’t moving, doesn’t mean that it will work when driving and turning. The best thing to do is to research your specific vehicle regarding exactly how large of a tire you can fit on it while it remains on the factory suspension.
In addition to the aspect ratio, you can also get a bit creative with the width of the tire as well. However, tire width is limited by the size of the wheel. This chart will give you an idea of what tire widths will work on specific wheel widths.
Tire Brands
There are so many different tire brands on the market that it can be challenging to keep track of at times. However, we like to keep things simple and stick to well-known and trusted tire brands. Your tires are your only point of connection between you and the road, so it’s incredibly important to make sure they are of high quality.
Some great brands to choose from are:
- Goodyear
- BFGoodrich
- Michelin
- Federal
There are other brands out there, but a general rule of thumb for tires is that name brands are best. Additionally, TireRack can be an excellent resource for researching how each specific tire brands perform.
Cosmetic Upgrades
The last modification that is recommended for leased trucks is cosmetic upgrades. These are generally inexpensive, easy to install, and are a great way to personalize your vehicle with absolutely no warranty or lease-agreement troubles. Some great aftermarket cosmetics to consider are:
- Grills: Most modern trucks come with bright chrome work surrounding the grill and within the bumper. A great way to make your truck seem more aggressive is to replace this chrome with paint-matched or black pieces instead.
- Bumpers: Upgrading to an off-road or pre-runner style bumper is a fantastic way to make your truck look and be more functional off-road. While they are more expensive than some other options listed here, a great set of off-road style bumpers is a guaranteed way to make your truck stand out.
- Lighting: Lighting modifications are a very common way to customize the exterior of a truck and for good reason. Nothing looks more menacing than a well-sorted pickup coming down the road with an LED lightbar mounted to the bumper. Just be mindful of other drivers when using a lightbar, as they can be extremely bright and cause visibility issues for people on the other side of the road.
- Tow Mirrors: Another common modification for trucks is tow mirrors. Stock mirrors are often small and don’t match the imposing size of modern pickup trucks, so adding a tow mirror is a great way to balance the look of your vehicle. They also come with the added benefit of increased visibility when towing.
Final Thoughts
Modifying a leased truck comes with a particular set of considerations that don’t need to be made when modifying a purchased vehicle. However, the above options are all worth considering for those who want to customize their leased truck without causing warranty problems or violating any lease agreements.
If you’re thinking of different ways to accessorize your truck or make it more functional, consider checking out my recommended accessories page. I spent a good amount of time picking out mods that can be useful for most pickup trucks.