JimVG
Junior Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2022
- Posts
- 17
- Reaction score
- 41
- Location
- Gig Harbor, WA
- First Name
- Jim
- Truck Year
- 1978
- Truck Model
- K20
- Engine Size
- 350
Hello, this is a bit long but detailed in hopes of saving someone else from the nightmare I am experiencing.
When researching for recommendations for a quality lift kit for my 1978 K20 I discovered that Tuff Country was recommended consistently across popular square body sites, including this one.
I ordered a 2” EZ-Ride complete kit from Suspension Connection, whom a Tuff County tech recommended as a reputable authorized dealer.
My purpose for writing this is to post the multitude of problems that I have experienced with Tuff Country support, poor product quality, and extremely bad product fit and finish. That said, Suspension Connection simply sold me the kit.
First and foremost, I was sent the kit including (4) springs via FedEx. The front springs were in an open, battered box that was inadequately packaged. The rear springs were shipped without any packaging, or the box may have been completely destroyed and discarded somewhere in-route.
All of the springs that I received were in very rough shape. Tuff Country informed me pre-sale that their springs were powder coated. All of the springs that I received were painted, and very poorly done. In addition to the unsightly appearance, there is a good percentage of these springs that are devoid of any paint at all, exposing raw steel. The simple construction of these springs is also inferior, with no attention to quality construction.
In addition to all of this, one of the rear springs was incorrectly labeled with the correct part number but the wrong spring. I photo documented the obvious differences in the two rear springs, and sent them to both Tuff Country and Suspension Connection. Suspension Connection dismissed the problem completely, stating that the springs were labeled correctly, and the packaging information was correct. This is unacceptable, as the photos I sent clearly show that one spring has a 1-1/2” higher arch and is 1“ longer eye-to-eye.
So I contact Tuff Country, sending them the same information. Their tech immediately recognizes the problem from the photos, agrees to send a replacement but does not get back to me with shipping info and an ETA. After two days of trying to acquire that information, I finally get connected to a supervisor. He informs me that a replacement spring will be shipped in about two weeks. My truck now will sit on jack stands until that spring is received. This is completely unacceptable, and I should have been sent a replacement spring over-night. Tuff Country is in Utah and I am in Washington State, so it certainly could have been accomplished. The blatant lack of accountability is completely unacceptable.
Other issues include inferior Grade 8 hardware that is incorrectly sized for the application. The intended use of front brake line re-location brackets simply do not work. I purchased extended front brake lines that are essential with this kit and should be included. The kit came with (4) shocks as well, which were also inadequately packaged, mis-handled at some point, and are considerably scratched. The eyelet sleeves supplied with the shocks are the wrong size. Instructions are not accurate And incomplete.
The bottom line is that Tuff Country is lacking concern for customer care and support, has apparently abandon any standard for quality control, and has no regard for post-sales problems that are entirely their responsibility.
I sincerely hope that your experience is much better than mine!
Jim
When researching for recommendations for a quality lift kit for my 1978 K20 I discovered that Tuff Country was recommended consistently across popular square body sites, including this one.
I ordered a 2” EZ-Ride complete kit from Suspension Connection, whom a Tuff County tech recommended as a reputable authorized dealer.
My purpose for writing this is to post the multitude of problems that I have experienced with Tuff Country support, poor product quality, and extremely bad product fit and finish. That said, Suspension Connection simply sold me the kit.
First and foremost, I was sent the kit including (4) springs via FedEx. The front springs were in an open, battered box that was inadequately packaged. The rear springs were shipped without any packaging, or the box may have been completely destroyed and discarded somewhere in-route.
All of the springs that I received were in very rough shape. Tuff Country informed me pre-sale that their springs were powder coated. All of the springs that I received were painted, and very poorly done. In addition to the unsightly appearance, there is a good percentage of these springs that are devoid of any paint at all, exposing raw steel. The simple construction of these springs is also inferior, with no attention to quality construction.
In addition to all of this, one of the rear springs was incorrectly labeled with the correct part number but the wrong spring. I photo documented the obvious differences in the two rear springs, and sent them to both Tuff Country and Suspension Connection. Suspension Connection dismissed the problem completely, stating that the springs were labeled correctly, and the packaging information was correct. This is unacceptable, as the photos I sent clearly show that one spring has a 1-1/2” higher arch and is 1“ longer eye-to-eye.
So I contact Tuff Country, sending them the same information. Their tech immediately recognizes the problem from the photos, agrees to send a replacement but does not get back to me with shipping info and an ETA. After two days of trying to acquire that information, I finally get connected to a supervisor. He informs me that a replacement spring will be shipped in about two weeks. My truck now will sit on jack stands until that spring is received. This is completely unacceptable, and I should have been sent a replacement spring over-night. Tuff Country is in Utah and I am in Washington State, so it certainly could have been accomplished. The blatant lack of accountability is completely unacceptable.
Other issues include inferior Grade 8 hardware that is incorrectly sized for the application. The intended use of front brake line re-location brackets simply do not work. I purchased extended front brake lines that are essential with this kit and should be included. The kit came with (4) shocks as well, which were also inadequately packaged, mis-handled at some point, and are considerably scratched. The eyelet sleeves supplied with the shocks are the wrong size. Instructions are not accurate And incomplete.
The bottom line is that Tuff Country is lacking concern for customer care and support, has apparently abandon any standard for quality control, and has no regard for post-sales problems that are entirely their responsibility.
I sincerely hope that your experience is much better than mine!
Jim
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