Bad Alignment on newly lifted truck? Need some input...

[jnnla]

So I recently installed a lift in my 2002 (pics to come in a separate thread ). 2.5 inches in front with Tundra coils / bilstein 5100 adjustables (second perch from bottom)...3 inches in back with 95 LC shocks and OME890s. I just picked it up from the alignment shop today but foolishly did not look at the adjustment numbers until now. Basically not everything is in range, the caster especially so...I'd love some input on these numbers. Should I ask that they give it another try or is this reasonable?

Alignment for the Front End:

Camber (L/R): Before: 0.5 / 0.1 After: 0.4 / 0.4 Specified Range: -1.0 - 0.5

Caster (L/R): Before: 0.7 / 0.6 After: 0.7 / 0.7 Specified Range: 2.3 - 3.8

Toe (L/R): Before: 0.61 / 0.68 After: 0.14 / 0.09 Specified Range: 0 - 0.2

SAI (L/R): Before: 9.8 / 10.4 After: 9.9 / 10.1 Specified Range: 10.4 - 10.5

The cross numbers and total toe is all in the specified range. I am most concerned about how far out of whack the caster is. Is this normal for a lifted vehicle? I'm already thinking I might give these guys a ring and tell them to "try again"...or I might just take it to the dealership. They cost a bundle but have never done me wrong. what do you think?

 

[J-money$$$]

Who really cares about caster?

It has nothing to do with tire wear, just how quickly the steering wheel wants to return to center. as long as both sides are close to each other you are fine.

 

[absalom]

How does it ride being on the second perch? Pretty rough I imagine?

 

[SCRunner12]

It depends on how its driving. As mentioned the caster isn't as important as toe and camber. I just got mine redone by a 4x4 alignment shop because my caster was -.4 on each side. My previous shop told me they couldn't do anything about the caster yet the new shop brought it up 2°. It drives much better now.

 

[Shibby!]

How does it ride being on the second perch? Pretty rough I imagine?

Isn't that what 99% of the people set their tundra coils to when using Tundra Billies?

Some go third to keep a higher front and less rake.

 

[jrm]

you cant

align something that's out of balance.

 

[Millerad1651]

Isn't that what 99% of the people set their tundra coils to when using Tundra Billies?

Some go third to keep a higher front and less rake.

Thats exactly what I was going to say. The Tundra billies have 5 settings, versus the 3 for the Tacomas. I would assume that the 2nd from bottom would ride nice.

 

[JayRolla]

Isn't that what 99% of the people set their tundra coils to when using Tundra Billies?

Some go third to keep a higher front and less rake.

Yes but it rides much better at the lowest setting.

To the OP I had the same issue. They guy was like we cannot get the caster perfect but since it isnt a tire wearing angle not to worry. I have owned different lifted and lowered vehicles and without a full camber kit you could not get it perfect but if its not wearing the tires you are good.

 

[jnnla]

It doesn't ride rough at all...It actually rides quite nice. That's the second perch out of 5 settings...check the forums - second perch is fine. I've been doing some reading on caster and I'm not quite as concerned now as I was. The toe and the camber seem good and I can't say I've noticed a huge difference in the steering between stock and the lift. As far as I can tell it drives as well as it ever did - I'm just not noticing a "wow this is amazing" sort of difference and I was wondering if dialing the alignment in perfectly, caster included, would give me a better ride. I'll leave it for now but perhaps in the near future see if another shop can't do better on the alignment.

 

[opie74]

While the caster angle is not a tire wearing issue, it is a driveability issue. As the caster angle approaches 0, it reduces the front ends ability to want to self center the steering. This will translate to wandering, constant steering corrections and will enhance any small issues going on in the front end that may not have presented themselves previous.

Some folks it doesnt bother, it drove me nuts. There is some caster adjustment in the lower control arm bolts, but not enough to bring it into spec.