Alignment tools for the 3rd generation Toyota 4Runner

[enginelover]

Anybody know what alignment tools work best on the 4runner for the basics
1. Toe is relatively easy
2. Camber is mostly what I'm looking for
3. Caster is often a calculation based on camber at various wheel angles

I'm not looking for the comprehensive checks that a Hunter machine would perform as I just want to check (mostly) camber and toe (where caster can be calculated based on camber at + and - 20 degrees wheel angles).

I know about lifetime alignment deals but this thread isn't asking about alignment shops which are everywhere.

What I want is just the tools to check it myself whenever I feel like checking it.
Anybody know what alignment tools work best on the 4runner for the basics

 

[Spiker Engineering]

I have the Acculevel tool - Amazon.com: Longacre 52-78298 Digital C/C Gauge, AccuLevel/QuickSet : Automotive

To be honest, when I took it out to adjust my alignment after doing the lift, and after reading the steps involved, and assessing the time that I'll spend tinkering with the adjustments to get everything right, I decided that my time was better spent elsewhere, and schlepped over to the alignment shop where I have free lifetime alignments .

But if you are hell bent on doing your own alignment, this tool is a good way to go. Or you can just use a phone app with an angle indicator, and do it that way with no special tools needed.

 

[shadow247]

I have the Acculevel tool - Amazon.com: Longacre 52-78298 Digital C/C Gauge, AccuLevel/QuickSet : Automotive

To be honest, when I took it out to adjust my alignment after doing the lift, and after reading the steps involved, and assessing the time that I'll spend tinkering with the adjustments to get everything right, I decided that my time was better spent elsewhere, and schlepped over to the alignment shop where I have free lifetime alignments .

But if you are hell bent on doing your own alignment, this tool is a good way to go. Or you can just use a phone app with an angle indicator, and do it that way with no special tools needed.

Seems hardly worth it whenever Firestone offers the Lifetime Alignment for under 200 bucks.

My local Toyota Dealer offers Lifetime Alignment for 389 bucks, not a bad deal. They lift trucks every day and install kits from all the major brands, so they have no issues aligning these trucks with SPC arms, etc...

 

[rdruss]

I've downloaded an angle finder app to my phone and use it with a straight edge against face of wheel (vertical position) to determine camber. Close enough for me.

 

[phattyduck]

Here's some info from the FSM on alignments (obviously for stock heights):

To help give you a reference for adjustment cam positions vs. settings. Obviously every truck will be different at this age, but it will help you dial things in faster if you don't have a computer screen giving you live data.

-Charlie

 

[Inv4drZm]

I have a different brand of something similar to the link in the first post. It works but IMO it's not worth the time to setup and learn (like half a day) unless you have a complicated alignment setup. I have heim upper control arms which I thread in or out to adjust alignment which I'm pretty sure no alignment tech would/could adjust for me.

 

[spartacus]

I have the spc 91000

Specialty Products Company | SPC Alignment | The Automotive Alignment Leaders

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Anybody know what alignment tools work best on the 4runner for the basics
1. Toe is relatively easy
2. Camber is mostly what I'm looking for
3. Caster is often a calculation based on camber at various wheel angles

I'm not looking for the comprehensive checks that a Hunter machine would perform as I just want to check (mostly) camber and toe (where caster can be calculated based on camber at + and - 20 degrees wheel angles).

I know about lifetime alignment deals but this thread isn't asking about alignment shops which are everywhere.

What I want is just the tools to check it myself whenever I feel like checking it.
Anybody know what alignment tools work best on the 4runner for the basics

I use a string, square, and a level about the diameter of your tires on a level surface. It's not that complicated like they want you to think. Toe adjusts at tie rod end links jambo nut. Camber lower control arm tabs. Lifted Caster aftermarket upper control arms ball joint location.

 

[Bad Luck]

I use a string, square, and a level about the diameter of your tires on a level surface. It's not that complicated like they want you to think. Toe adjusts at tie rod end links jambo nut. Camber lower control arm tabs. Lifted Caster aftermarket upper control arms ball joint location.

Camber and caster are both adjusted with the lower control arm cams. You cannot adjust one without changing the other. Aftermarket upper control arms like spc can adjust camber and caster. Other aftermarket upper control arms have and additional amount of caster built into it and are not adjustable.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Camber and caster are both adjusted with the lower control arm cams. You cannot adjust one without changing the other. Aftermarket upper control arms like spc can adjust camber and caster. Other aftermarket upper control arms have and additional amount of caster built into it and are not adjustable.

You are correct sir! You can make minor Caster adjustment there if it's get knocked around a little. I was referring to a modified vehicle that would actually need a more significant adjustment. Those adjustable arms are priced ridiculously just get the what you need until you want more mods. They already did all the geometry for your specific set up. You're always calling me out bad luck I love it!

 

[Bad Luck]

You are correct sir! You can make minor Caster adjustment there if it's get knocked around a little. I was referring to a modified vehicle that would actually need a more significant adjustment. Those adjustable arms are priced ridiculously just get the what you need until you want more mods. They already did all the geometry for your specific set up. You're always calling me out bad luck I love it!

I don’t know why you are saying minor caster adjustments are made there. With OEM suspension the only way to adjust camber and caster is at the lower control arm cams.

I wouldn’t have to “call you out” if your information didn’t need correcting. Maybe things are different with your 5th gen, but since I don’t have a 5th gen I won’t go posting 3rd gen information in the 5th gen section. For example, can you imagine what might happen if I started giving out part numbers or torque values that are 3rd specific on the 5th gen section? It’s part of the reason I try to redirect people that post on 3rd gen threads with non-3rd gen vehicle questions. I could probably guess what’s wrong, but there’s people with similar vehicles that may know exactly what the most common solution for their problem is.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

I don’t know why you are saying minor caster adjustments are made there. With OEM suspension the only way to adjust camber and caster is at the lower control arm cams.

I wouldn’t have to “call you out” if your information didn’t need correcting. Maybe things are different with your 5th gen, but since I don’t have a 5th gen I won’t go posting 3rd gen information in the 5th gen section. For example, can you imagine what might happen if I started giving out part numbers or torque values that are 3rd specific on the 5th gen section? It’s part of the reason I try to redirect people that post on 3rd gen threads with non-3rd gen vehicle questions. I could probably guess what’s wrong, but there’s people with similar vehicles that may know exactly what the most common solution for their problem is.

No I enjoy it because technically you're correct and I forgot to include that info. So keep it up! I'm happy you mentioned the term OEM! Because you would only need to make minor changes to Caster with an OEM set up, you see. If you could adjust it dramatically I doubt many people would buy aftermarket arms to correct their castor geometry. How do I follow your posts? I might need to check some of your knowledge out