Alignment Concern

[chrisakz]

Any info/tips on how to do my own alignment?

You can do the string/box method or this guy has a great video here . I pretty much followed his way and I’m going on close to 12000k miles now with zero uneven wear on my tires. Do a lot of research and you will be alright. It’s a check and recheck type of process and you have to be exact in your measurements. There is also a bunch of expensive equipment you can buy like toe plates and stuff but I managed to get it done with minimal specialty tools.

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[AdamHarris]

I've got a bit of experience setting up half assed race cars for track duty. As such I looked hard at the "after numbers" my dealership gave me when I aligned after my lift. A few things weren't sitting right with me.

So I took my truck to the local 4 Wheel Parts, explained to them my concerns, and let them have a crack at it. They nailed it spot on. I'll never get a truck aligned anywhere else.

I'm sure they have locations near you as they are a national chain.




Not needed at all for your lift. There should be no trouble at all aligning your truck to specs.

Well not always true. On my 2020 FX4 (2.5 spacer level) after lift the Camber was just barely out of spec., I mean just barely (yes, lower control arms were adjusted Out as far out as they would go). Some Icon UCAs now have me comfortably well within factory camber specs. Would tire wear, handling, etc. probably have been fine without the new UCAs? sure.

 

[D Fresh]

Well not always true. On my 2020 FX4 (2.5 spacer level) after lift the Camber was just barely out of spec., I mean just barely (yes, lower control arms were adjusted Out as far out as they would go). Some Icon UCAs now have me comfortably well within factory camber specs. Would tire wear, handling, etc. probably have been fine without the new UCAs? sure.

Exception. Not the rule.

The VAST majority of Ranger owners do not need UCAs to bring a slightly, 2"-2.5", lifted Ranger into spec.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the majority of guys who did UCAs with their level/lift don't even know why they might want them or if they're even necessary. They just "followed the mod list."

I applaud the fact that you at least tried before swapping the UCAs.

 

[Synfulz]

That looks better than my numbers on caster/camber. Did you get it aligned at a dealership or a specialty shop?

Specialty shop. They had Hunter alignment system.

 

[real_zeke]

You can do the string/box method or this guy has a great video here . I pretty much followed his way and I’m going on close to 12000k miles now with zero uneven wear on my tires. Do a lot of research and you will be alright. It’s a check and recheck type of process and you have to be exact in your measurements. There is also a bunch of expensive equipment you can buy like toe plates and stuff but I managed to get it done with minimal specialty tools.

This video is beyond helpful. Looking at the camber bolts on the LCA in the video (before adjustment) and the ones on my truck, they look pretty identical to mine. It confirms that mine have not been "maxed out", which the guy in the video later does.

Part of me wants to go back to the alignment shop and show them that my bolts arent "maxed out". Then ask why you're pushing me to drop another $500+ to get new camber bolts.

 

[chrisakz]

This video is beyond helpful. Looking at the camber bolts on the LCA in the video (before adjustment) and the ones on my truck, they look pretty identical to mine. It confirms that mine have not been "maxed out", which the guy in the video later does.

Part of me wants to go back to the alignment shop and show them that my bolts arent "maxed out". Then ask why you're pushing me to drop another $500+ to get new camber bolts.

I can’t imagine why they would tell you that cuz if they tried moving them or ever worked on another ranger they would see they clearly aren’t.??‍

 

[real_zeke]

Well the shop was finally able to figure out that the stock camber bolts are adjustable and didn't need to order new ones. This is after I threatened them that I wanted my money back.

 

[JasonTremor]

Numbers look good!

 

[Frenchy]

Not perfect but way better!!

 

[Dereku]

Not perfect but way better!!

So close to perfect. Much better than what most shops push out the door.

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