Alignment Techs Step Inside......

[JimJr15]

I have a fundamental alignment question in regards to correct alignment procedure on 5th Gens.

Is the following a reasonable procedure for aligning a 5th Gen?

In order to achieve Maximum Caster:
Set Rear LCA Adjuster to full OUT
Set Front LCA Adjuster to full IN

Re-Adjust Front LCA Adjuster to accomplish 0 - Slightly Neg Camber

Set TOE

I ask because I just did an ICON Stage 6 Kit on my 2018 and the installer/Aligner was only able to achieve 3.6* with ICON Tubular UCAs and I expected at least the ability to achieve 4*+.

I'm about to have them re-adjust front ride height (higher) and re-align and I want to understand the procedure on these trucks. I feel like while it feels ok, it could use a little more caster.

Full disclosure, in another life I was a driver/mechanic on a SCCA Formula 2000 team and did my fair share of alignments using string boxes and bubble levels, but I've never done one on a 4Runner.

 

[3wbdriver]

I'd kill for 3.5 degrees. I've been driving for most of 80,000 miles with less than 2 and it doesn't seem to have hurt anything. But I haven't replaced my UCA's either. The procedure you listed sounds correct though.

 

[Gt4r]

I installed a modest lift with bilstein 5100s at 1.75 and a 1 inch rear spacer. I actually wanted more caster for better steering feel and driveability, so I also installed JBA upper control arms. When I got the alignment done I asked for the caster do be close to 4.5* and camber and toe in in spec. If you bring it to the right shop and ask to be 4+ caster they should be able to do it if they are competent.

 

[JimJr15]

I installed a modest lift with bilstein 5100s at 1.75 and a 1 inch rear spacer. I actually wanted more caster for better steering feel and driveability, so I also installed JBA upper control arms. When I got the alignment done I asked for the caster do be close to 4.5* and camber and toe in in spec. If you bring it to the right shop and ask to be 4+ caster they should be able to do it if they are competent.

I thought so. I don't want to be "that guy" standing over the shoulder of a guy who does alignments for a living, but I don't think some alignment guys get what we're asking, no matter how well we explain it.

I just wanted to make sure I knew what I was talking about and it 4*+ was actually possible and what the procedure was to achieve it.

 

[Agent_Outside]

Another thing to consider, you can look at live caster readings. After the initial setup your looking at calculated faster values, they are not accurate numbers until you redo the caster sweep. You always want to adjust it than resweep, tweak it a bit and resweep, ect until its all good.

 

[wfo9]

Another thing to consider, you can look at live caster readings. After the initial setup your looking at calculated faster values, they are not accurate numbers until you redo the caster sweep. You always want to adjust it than resweep, tweak it a bit and resweep, ect until its all good.

OP, the basic procedure for the cams is about correct, but like stated above the live readings are Iffy. And it should be swept again after toe. A roll back and forward is also something I have seen many do.

I would not get too caught up in the numbers as the machines all read different...and you just want enough without being too much. 3.5-4.2 seems like a good range from my experience... But 3.5 on one machine will be 4 on another....

 

[DesertRnr]

Then of course there's the "every 4Runner is different" thing. I recently installed a modest 2" lift including replacing the UCAs with Camburgs. When I installed the lift I marked the alignment cams so I could get it back to close before getting it to the alignment shop.

I took it to a place that specializes in alignments here in town and spoke with the tech about my wish for more castor. He understood completely but when he went to adjust the alignment it turns out the passenger side castor adjustment is already maxed out so the best he could do was make sure the driver side castor matched the passenger side. Strangely enough the driver side adjustment is at minimum. Makes me wonder if the truck was bent or something before I go it, but it drives great so no worries.

I don't have the spec sheet with me, but if memory serves me correctly castor for both sides was measured at right around 2.7.