Alignment Report
- Thread starter SgnDen
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
veloindy
New member
Do you say that b/c of the caster?
Jeremy556
New member
Yep. <1.1 degree caster will have almost no self centering.
harper7
Senior Member
Yep, your caster settings are super low but they should have been able to get better then that even with the stock UCA's .
The closer you get to 4.0 with the caster and still keep camber and toe within specs,the better highway stability and stiffer steering feel ,you have on 5th Gens. It was a night and day difference on mine and a good reason to get aftermarket UCA's when lifting,besides the added 1-2 inches of down travel you get from them.
Here was one of my alignments and I even went higher with caster(5.6) on a subsequent alignment and it's been like that for awhile and love it.
The closer you get to 4.0 with the caster and still keep camber and toe within specs,the better highway stability and stiffer steering feel ,you have on 5th Gens. It was a night and day difference on mine and a good reason to get aftermarket UCA's when lifting,besides the added 1-2 inches of down travel you get from them.
Here was one of my alignments and I even went higher with caster(5.6) on a subsequent alignment and it's been like that for awhile and love it.
SgnDen
New member
Thanks for the insights!
This thing really feels fine on the highway (all speeds) and I have to deal with very squirrely road surfaces. I chalk-up the slightly rougher feel to the more aggressive tires of course.
I would def love to have it a little tighter feeling...though it's not bothering me as-is.
So - Amateur suspension guy here (unless you call doing ball joints, spindles, etc in my driveway on a 67 Chevelle SS and a 67 Camaro SS in my youth - surprised I lived)...
Should I show YOUR report to the shop and have them match the settings? I'd guess it is quite variable based on the specific vehicle but...?
This shop does a TON of this kind of work...mostly on 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks from the looks of the lot every time I drive by. I know they did a few of the NBA players' work here...I spoke to one guy (Bird man) and he swore by them.
I want the ABSOLUTE best setup possible (without going higher or over-doing it as I will do only moderate wheelin).
Should I add UCA? That is, will it take what I have already spent $$$$ on to a new level?
Thanks!!
Jeremy556
New member
With a lift and stock UCAs, you will never get over 4 degrees of caster.
Yes, you should add UCAs if you want it to drive as well as it should/could. Factory alignment spec from your sheet is 2.5 - 4.0 and you are WAY under. IMHO, factory spec should be more like 3.5-4.5 degrees.
The very popular 5th gen T4R complaint of twitchy steering and being blown all over the place by wind is a direct result of the low caster spec. Same phenomena as 2 wheel vehicles, if you are familiar; more rake trail make for more high speed stability (self centering), but harder high speed steering. Think raked out cruiser vs. race bike.
SgnDen
New member
Hey Jeremy. Excellent analogy. Now you are speaking my language. I've owned and ridden everything from Motocross bikes (1976 Elsinore, YZ 250), to a 2000 'Busa (holy sh**!), Triumph standards, Honda spot tourers, and three HD touring rides...so I can totally relate to that analogy. Thanks!!
Jeremy556
New member
Depends on what your priorities are.
On the one extreme end, you have Icons, which use uniball and heim joints, all the way to light racing which uses regular ball joints and bushings. Unis and heims are stronger, but noisier and require more maintenance.
My 2 wheel vehicles generally have more invested in them than the original purchase price with custom valved and sprung Ohlins bits. My plan for my T4R is Toytec Ultimate with LR UCAs for near stock NVH, with extended travel and good street manners.
thebwlife
Senior Member
I'm pretty sure these are the ones for us. Good price as far as my research shows.
Specialty Products Company 25480 Upper Control Arm for Toyota 4Runner and FJ - Pair:Amazon:Automotive
Specialty Products Company 25480 Upper Control Arm for Toyota 4Runner and FJ - Pair:Amazon:Automotive
mrvandelay
New member
You have a few UCA choices:
- Light Racing
- ICON Tubular
- ICON Billet (Heim)
- Camburg
- Total Chaos
I would recommend the Total Chaos UCAs, but I went the less expensive route and got in on a Light Racing Group Buy through Metal Tech.
- Light Racing
- ICON Tubular
- ICON Billet (Heim)
- Camburg
- Total Chaos
I would recommend the Total Chaos UCAs, but I went the less expensive route and got in on a Light Racing Group Buy through Metal Tech.
Randyman...
New member
Old thread bump:
How would a tiny 0.85" front lift from a set of 5100's (plus a 10mm rear driver's side spring spacer to offset the driver's side lean) fair with stock UCA's WRT Caster Alignment possibilities? Stock springs all around. 2013 SR5 4x4.
I'll be installing the aforementioned 5100's on Friday AM and getting my alignment done at 2PM at a very reputable shop in town. I'm shooting for 4* Caster maybe more if possible.
Thoughts?
:drummer:
How would a tiny 0.85" front lift from a set of 5100's (plus a 10mm rear driver's side spring spacer to offset the driver's side lean) fair with stock UCA's WRT Caster Alignment possibilities? Stock springs all around. 2013 SR5 4x4.
I'll be installing the aforementioned 5100's on Friday AM and getting my alignment done at 2PM at a very reputable shop in town. I'm shooting for 4* Caster maybe more if possible.
Thoughts?
:drummer:
marlin driver
New member
Just have them max out the caster while keeping the camber and toe in spec. With that small amount of lift you should be fine on the specs, but likely won't be able to get near 4 degrees.
You should be able to get all angles within spec because your lift is mild. Looks from your sig that you have 265s so you should need max caster for tire clearance reasons.
Randyman...
New member
Thanks for the speedy reply, marlin driver! I was hoping such a mild lift wouldn't necessitate the need for new UCA's for acceptable caster.
The 265/70R17 BFG's are stock size but do have a wider tread than the stock POS 265's, but with the 1.25" spacers I did initially rub. The quick fender liner mod took care of that - but I certainly won't mind a bit more clearance for giggles
Randyman...
New member
Got mine buttoned up on Monday after installing the 5100's on Friday. Here's the report:
Comments on the results? I did specifically request Caster of 3 Degrees or higher while keeping Toe and Camber in spec - this was his absolute best effort with the stock UCA's any my small 0.85" front lift. He took his sweet time (little over 1 hour in the bay), and was only $69!
Rock on
Comments on the results? I did specifically request Caster of 3 Degrees or higher while keeping Toe and Camber in spec - this was his absolute best effort with the stock UCA's any my small 0.85" front lift. He took his sweet time (little over 1 hour in the bay), and was only $69!
Rock on