Alignment on leveled Ranger

[mtsoxfan]

So, I've had my truck leveled, at dealership some 50k ago with no issues. The dealership tried to align and said they couldn't, so sent it to a local 4x4 shop. Fast forward to today, dealership is telling me I need alignment. I ask if they are capable of aligning a leveled truck, they assure me they are. I ask about the different specs that they need to use because its leveled, they say we just use the specs on the machine. I figure that they are just trying to pull in business, as when they told me there is wear on one tire, I ask to look at it. After they talk to mechanic, they say sure, but you can't see with naked eye, need to use a gauge. I'm not going to align, but am wondering, are there different specs for a spacer leveled truck? I know my camber? was off, original shop said it was adjusted to the max.

Sponsored

 

[Colo_Ranger]

What is your actual question? Alignment spec should follow what Ford says. Even leveled, Ford's spec will get even wear. The OE control arms only allow so much adjustment, so the camber might have been out this whole time. If the shop that did your alignment said your camber has been maxed, you will need to replace the upper control arms (UCA) with something that allows more adjustment.

A shop that specializes in off road alignment may have a recommendation for alignment specs outside what Ford says is correct but alignments are pretty straightforward. Camber and toe are settings that don't really allow for a lot of adjustment outside of spec but caster can usually be changed. Caster really only helps with tracking in straight line (think about shopping cart wheels).

 

[mtsoxfan]

What is your actual question? Alignment spec should follow what Ford says. Even leveled, Ford's spec will get even wear. The OE control arms only allow so much adjustment, so the camber might have been out this whole time. If the shop that did your alignment said your camber has been maxed, you will need to replace the upper control arms (UCA) with something that allows more adjustment.

A shop that specializes in off road alignment may have a recommendation for alignment specs outside what Ford says is correct but alignments are pretty straightforward. Camber and toe are settings that don't really allow for a lot of adjustment outside of spec but caster can usually be changed. Caster really only helps with tracking in straight line (think about shopping cart wheels).

Thanks. years ago, I read on this forum there are different specs, but I can't find that thread. I've had zero wear or issues, aside from the "can't see with naked eye" issue. I can let the wheel go on highway, pour myself a cocktail, search for something under rear seat, arrange coins in console, and it'll still be going straight.
It's not like I'm going to align soon. I've only had the one, way back when. Pretty impressive for living where I live. I'd just like to bookmark if there were different specs.

 

[GMtech]

Usually, you try to get the alignment as close to specs as possible. At the dealerships I worked, we always had to attach the printout of the alignment, it showed in green when the spec was in and red if it wasn't. If you can't visually see the wear with your eyes or by feeling with your hand (toe in/out) you are probably fine. Alignments at a dealership are most likely an up sale, that's what I tell my kids when they take their vehicle into the shop.

 

[Superspirit]

If the dealership couldn't align it before, then they aren't capable now. The machines haven't changed or added specs for modified vehicles. If your having tire wear or a pull in the front. Then take it to a reputable shop that does modified vehicles. Do Not Let Dealer Align!

 

[Jason B]

Usually, you try to get the alignment as close to specs as possible. At the dealerships I worked, we always had to attach the printout of the alignment, it showed in green when the spec was in and red if it wasn't. If you can't visually see the wear with your eyes or by feeling with your hand (toe in/out) you are probably fine. Alignments at a dealership are most likely an up sale, that's what I tell my kids when they take their vehicle into the shop.

Yeah, but after I did my 2.5" level, I took it to a tire shop to get it aligned. After that, it 'looked off', so I had Ford check it. Drivers side camber was at 1 degree out. The Ford tech 'made it right'.
Took Ford's the printout to the first tire shop, they said 'it was the best they could do". Of course, no refund. Now I know where not to go for alignments or tires.

 

[Grandaccess]

So, I've had my truck leveled, at dealership some 50k ago with no issues. The dealership tried to align and said they couldn't, so sent it to a local 4x4 shop. Fast forward to today, dealership is telling me I need alignment. I ask if they are capable of aligning a leveled truck, they assure me they are. I ask about the different specs that they need to use because its leveled, they say we just use the specs on the machine. I figure that they are just trying to pull in business, as when they told me there is wear on one tire, I ask to look at it. After they talk to mechanic, they say sure, but you can't see with naked eye, need to use a gauge. I'm not going to align, but am wondering, are there different specs for a spacer leveled truck? I know my camber? was off, original shop said it was adjusted to the max.

I had something like that happen, my truck was all set up Lift, Rims and tires from a dealership in MD I got it with 13K on it, but in a few months I had wondered if had aligned it after all that and took it to Mr.Tire up here in NY they said it was off and re did it, I couldnt talk to the tech because he didnt speak English, Well it ate a set of tires in less than 4k miles!
when I went to put a new set on I went to Big-E-Tires, all the guys in the shop had lifted trucks LOL an he looked at my front tires and told me what and how far off by sight! I knew I was in the right place and no one else has touched my truck since, they ended up doing everything and I havent had almost any ware in 40k, well the back driver side looks a little more than the rest?
I have a set of bridgestone to go on it next, I just want to get every mile out of these first! then put whats left of these on marketplace for $100 LOL

 

[Grandaccess]

this is what Mr.Tire in Horseheads did it only took 3500 miles

 

[ScarzRanger21(2.0)]

So, I've had my truck leveled, at dealership some 50k ago with no issues. The dealership tried to align and said they couldn't, so sent it to a local 4x4 shop. Fast forward to today, dealership is telling me I need alignment. I ask if they are capable of aligning a leveled truck, they assure me they are. I ask about the different specs that they need to use because its leveled, they say we just use the specs on the machine. I figure that they are just trying to pull in business, as when they told me there is wear on one tire, I ask to look at it. After they talk to mechanic, they say sure, but you can't see with naked eye, need to use a gauge. I'm not going to align, but am wondering, are there different specs for a spacer leveled truck? I know my camber? was off, original shop said it was adjusted to the max.

Before I went with a full lift kit, my ranger was leveled. Never had an issue with alignment. My wife’s ranger is currently leveled with stock control arms, no issues with alignment.
What size tires are you running?

 

[mtsoxfan]

Before I went with a full lift kit, my ranger was leveled. Never had an issue with alignment. My wife’s ranger is currently leveled with stock control arms, no issues with alignment.
What size tires are you running?

Stock tires in summer, 255/65R/17 and winter 255/70R/17
Like I said, no issues, just gearing up with info in case I do. I do not align any of my vehicles unless I see wear. Aside from when it was leveled, I've gone through multiple sets of tires. Money saved from not doing yearly alignments, pays for tires, or a good part of them. My wife aligns when her dealer tells her to.

 

[Muscleford]

I had my truck leveled in January 2024 and the shop that did the work sent it out to be aligned. In falll 2024 it was in for the Works package and they checked the alignment and said it need aligned, the toe was off. They aligned it with out any comments about it being leveled. I am no expert in alignment but I don't think the specks would be different.

 

[rbern]

I had a 2½ rough country level kit. I got a special piece of paper which I assume are different specs to align by. So not necessarily Ford stock specs. So had tires put on few months ago and had it aligned again different shop. Gave him same piece of paper . When done he told me not sure what the last shop went by but it was way off. Maybe that's why I put tires on at 36xxx miles. I figured it was the hankooks,hated them since day one!

 

[woodworker]

If the dealership couldn't align it before, then they aren't capable now. The machines haven't changed or added specs for modified vehicles. If your having tire wear or a pull in the front. Then take it to a reputable shop that does modified vehicles. Do Not Let Dealer Align!

I had the dealer install the leveling kit and align it With about six hundred miles on it. Went through three sets of tires on a little over 80,000 miles. Took it to a four wheel drive center in Virginia Beach, had Bilstiens installed, had It aligned properly, and no more issues with tire wear. Somebody was doing something wrong. Put new Michelin tires on two sizes taller at 117,000 miles, still running the same tires at 150,000 and only about half worn.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

I had the dealer install the leveling kit and align it With about six hundred miles on it. Went through three sets of tires on a little over 80,000 miles. Took it to a four wheel drive center in Virginia Beach, had Bilstiens installed, had It aligned properly, and no more issues with tire wear. Somebody was doing something wrong.

You bring up a good point. I'm not sure which alignment shop that Lone Star Conversions uses, but after they installed the Bilsteins and leveled it. The tires are wearing evenly and it drives better than it did in stock form.

 

[woodworker]

You bring up a good point. I'm not sure which alignment shop that Lone Star Conversions uses, but after they installed the Bilsteins and leveled it. The tires are wearing evenly and it drives better than it did in stock form.

Yep, same here.

Sponsored