Guys/Gals with lifts....Have you had any problems getting an alignment?

[4RunningGuy]

I just got my 4runner back from the dealer to get an alignment after the daystar lift, and they were telling me that the fronts are so out of wack that they had the adjustments maxxed out and they are still off. To those who had the Revtek lifts, and whoever that had the NE 4" lifts, did you have any problems getting an alignment?

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I have the 3" Revtek lift. I drove mine offroad twice with a lot of flexing and 300 miles to let everything settle in before I did the alignment. Everything was within Toyota spec range except for one (sorry I can't remember which off hand) that was slightly off. The Toyota tech hand wrote a note on my print out that it was OK and that thin one would not effect tire wear but might make the steering feel a little stiffer. I did not notice any change.

It did take them quite a long time to do the alignment because they tried to get that one in range. I was very happy they went to the extra effor to try.

 

[RL Lemke]

I have had the Revtek kit, NE kit and now the Donahoe coil over set-up. Each time alignment was easily accomplished, with even tire wear all thru this search for the holy lift.

 

[Bobby]

My bro-in-law owns a shop (3 actually) so I have access to a bay and all the tools including an alignment rack. I installed the 2.5" Daystar kit and did my own alignment myself. There are 2 adjustments for camber (top and bottom A-arms) which throws off the toe like you wouldn't believe. You need to adjust the camber first. I had some extra room and could've dialed in some negative camber (1.5- 2 deg or so, I'm guessing) but I set it at about .5 deg. Once you have the camber set, you loosen the tierods and turn that sucker until you get to a good toe setting. I have a very slight toe-out alignment.

It's not hard to make the adjustments and Toyota designed the front end well enough to make large adjustments for both toe and camber. I left the caster alone, although I didn't even look to see if that was adjustable.


You might want to take it to an independent shop with a Hunter alignment rack. They should be able to set up your truck within factory spec for under $80.

 

[4RunningGuy]

Thanks guys. Guess I should have taken it somewhere else when the tech was suprised when I told him I had lifted it. He was like "there might be a defect with your suspension, because the alignment is way out of spec, that I might have to leave it for a few days." Then I told him to do the best he can, because it is lifted. He went on to give me a lecture about how my suspension is very "special" and expensive, and how I should not lift it. :bash: Guess I'll have to take it to another dealer or somewhere else and pay another $100 to get it realigned.

 

[Bobby]

I'm guessing most dealers will give you a hard time with a lift. One benefit of the 4runners is that you only need to align the front so that cuts your alignment cost down a bit. I used to pay $100-120 for my M3. I'm guessing front only should be $60-80. It's not a hard job and any competent mechanic should be able to do it in less than an hour.

The hunter alignment rack uses lasers and they give print-outs of your alignment. If the guy doing the job isn't good, the best equipment won't help so make sure the mechanic is good.

 

[hre814]

i just had mine done after my lift, $59.95 with a Hunter machine at a Toyota dealer. regular price was $64.95 and got $5 off because they couldn't finish the job the first time because the machine broke and I had to come back to finish it.

 

[bulldog-yota]

STrange, I have my dealer do the alignment here. They seem to do the best job around on my Toyota. No issues with them doing it after my last lift.

 

[Good Times]

Not sure if Sears still offers this but I read somewhere that for $149 or something you get free lifetime alignments.

I know it's expensive at first but it's a major cost saver for those that need em a lot.

If one place says they can't align it, just take it elsewhere since the rookie probably doesn't know what he's doing anyway. No need to listen to the BS, just move on to the next place that'll gladly take your hard earned cash.

good luck