Leveling kit problems

[Vosovreason]

So, I recently bought a 2021 Ford Ranger XL 2WD and I'm not a fan of the rake it comes with from the factory. I ordered and had a shop install a 2.5" RC leveling kit, the install went smooth with no issues until it came to the alignment. They fiddled with it for about 2 hours and decided that it was the best they could do. I got it back with a pretty good amount of positive camber. I drove it around for about a week, took it over bumpy and hilly terrain thinking it just needed to settle and break in, that was not the case. I took it to a different shop for a front end alignment and told them what was going on and they took it and i got it back with SOME positive camber but TONS better than what it was. The shop told me that my camber bolts have been maxed out and there was nothing else that could be done without installing an actual lift kit that would give me aftermarket front end parts. I've read about people doing the 2.5" leveling kit, I've watched videos and NOBODY that I've seen or heard has had an alignment issue. I'd like to put aftermarket wheels with 30 or 32" tires and I don't want to waste money if the front tires are just going to be trash in 6 months time due to the camber issue.

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[AzScorpion]

It sounds like the two shops don't know how to do a proper alignment. See if there are any off road specialty shops in your area or just check out reviews from other shops. I (many others here have too) had the same RC kit on my '19 Ranger without any issues and I had also installed larger tires (32's) and they wore well.

 

[Vosovreason]

It sounds like the two shops don't know how to do a proper alignment. See if there are any off road specialty shops in your area or just check out reviews from other shops. I (many others here have too) had the same RC kit on my '19 Ranger without any issues and I had also installed larger tires (32's) and they wore well.

Yeah seemed kind of weird to me, I'll shop around and see who can give me a proper alignment, thanks. Since you had 32's is there anyway you remember the tire size specs? i plan on keeping the same 17" diameter, just not sure what a good size would be

 

[AzScorpion]

Yeah seemed kind of weird to me, I'll shop around and see who can give me a proper alignment, thanks. Since you had 32's is there anyway you remember the tire size specs? i plan on keeping the same 17" diameter, just not sure what a good size would be

Hopefully there’s another shop in your area that can help you out. They were Nitto Ridge Grapplers 265/70/17 on the stock wheels.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hey Zach, is your truck a Tremor?
If it’s not a Tremor, does it have aftermarket coil overs on the front end or is it completely stock?

 

[Vosovreason]

Hey Zach, is your truck a Tremor?
If it’s not a Tremor, does it have aftermarket coil overs on the front end or is it completely stock?

nope totally bone stock XL with the STX appearance package

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

They shouldn’t be having that much trouble getting it within spec.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hopefully there’s another shop in your area that can help you out. They were Nitto Ridge Grapplers 265/70/17 on the stock wheels.

He rounds up - these are 32s…

?

 

[rang19ca]

I've had the RC 2 1/2" level lift on mine for over 4 years. NO issues and the tires wear evenly.

 

[Vosovreason]

I've had the RC 2 1/2" level lift on mine for over 4 years. NO issues and the tires wear evenly.

This is the passenger and driver side camber bolts, the driver side is maxed out and i still have a slight bit of positive camber, you can also see where the clean part of the metal is where it was set from the factory, I believe I'm starting to feel uneven wear on the outside edge of the tire

 

[Whiplash]

This is the passenger and driver side camber bolts, the driver side is maxed out and i still have a slight bit of positive camber, you can also see where the clean part of the metal is where it was set from the factory, I believe I'm starting to feel uneven wear on the outside edge of the tire

What are your alignment Caster and Camber #'s now....When lifting 2.5" the factory specs will no longer apply...On my ICON install instructions it said to advise your alignment tech to target the upper range of factory spec with just a 2.0" lift...
Another variable to consider is what type of roads is most of your driving done... twisty two lane , no shoulder , roads like a higher Camber number than 0.0° . Flat straight city and highway roads like the 0.0°...Factory spec for Camber is -0.7° to +0.7° .... +0.35 to 0.45° is perfectly o.k for a 2.5" lift. My alignment tech does alot of track cars and extreme offroaders... I'm on extended travel 3.0" coilover lift with UCA's... My Camber #,s are +0.35° and 0.4° ( I drive alot of twisty roads well above the speeds suggested by the yellow signs)....My Caster is also set to higher than spec #... +4.5° and 4.8° to tame the twitchy feeling of my no deflection solid bushing aftermarket parts with Toe set at 0.0°...

 

[Vosovreason]

What are your alignment Caster and Camber #'s now....When lifting 2.5" the factory specs will no longer apply...On my ICON install instructions it said to advise your alignment tech to target the upper range of factory spec with just a 2.0" lift...
Another variable to consider is what type of roads is most of your driving done... twisty two lane , no shoulder , roads like a higher Camber number than 0.0° . Flat straight city and highway roads like the 0.0°...Factory spec for Camber is -0.7° to +0.7° .... +0.35 to 0.45° is perfectly o.k for a 2.5" lift. My alignment tech does alot of track cars and extreme offroaders... I'm on extended travel 3.0" coilover lift with UCA's... My Camber #,s are +0.35° and 0.4° ( I drive alot of twisty roads well above the speeds suggested by the yellow signs)....My Caster is also set to higher than spec #... +4.5° and 4.8° to loose the twitchy feeling of my no deflection solid bearing aftermarket parts with Toe set at 0.0°...

This is what my numbers are after my second attempt at an alignment.

 

[P-38Ranger]

I have a 4x2 Lariat and I hate the rake also, then I just get in and drive it.
????

 

[Whiplash]

This is what my numbers are after my second attempt at an alignment.

I have seen others on this site that could not get Camber #'s below 0.7° after lifting.
Personally I would be more comfortable with more balanced #'s....More than 0.0° and less than 0.4°....,Not sure just new Cam bolts are going to get you there... After market UCA's probably needed...

 

[Whiplash]

I have a 4x2 Lariat and I hate the rake also, then I just get in and drive it.
????

Lift / Level with bigger tires are a must have for many putting the personal touch on their rig...even if it is just for aesthetic reasons....

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