Lift and alignment specs

[CentcomPete]

Thinking about upping the settings on my front Bilsteins to 2.5 and adding taller SAW coil springs (or similar) to the rear to keep about a 1-1.5 inch rake. I'm currently at 1.75 in front with 1" rear coil spacers on BFG 275s.

Current alignment specs are: caster 2.5/3.0 and camber at -.8/.8 and the steering/handling are perfect.

Given the specs above, what's the chance of getting a proper alignment if I make the changes and DO NOT replace the OEM UCAs? The great driving characterisitics I have now are most important - keeping those might be a long shot and if so I would stay put.

I don't know if this is something that can be somewhat predicted given the above or if you just have to roll the dice.

 

[Stifler]

you'll be good to go, take it back to Jamel. I am at 2.5/1.5 on Nitto 265s, no issues and stock UCA

BFG 275 - 32.3"
NITTO - 31.57"

difference from hub center - .365"

 

[CentcomPete]

you'll be good to go, take it back to Jamel. I am at 2.5/1.5 on Nitto 265s, no issues and stock UCA

BFG 275 - 32.3"
NITTO - 31.57"

difference from hub center - .365"

That's good news and yes, their shop would be my best shot at getting it dialed in. Now the rear spring question continues, spent an hour yesterday researching Toytec/SAW/Radflo/Icon 2" rear springs . . .

 

[Stifler]

I would go SAW 1.5" [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] is running this setup and seems to be happy with it

 

[CentcomPete]

I would go SAW 1.5" [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] is running this setup and seems to be happy with it

That's where I'm leaning, SAW rear 1.5" coil springs based on user reviews, ride quality and specs BUT I'm wondering if 1.5 is tall enough. That would give me 2.5 front/3.5 rear. Most other spring options claim 2" lift which would give me 2.5/4 but that might be too harsh of a ride with no load.

Thought Antman also had airbags.

 

[Stifler]

he does. I am at 2.5/1.5 and it sits very level... so I'd imagine you will have some rake with the SAWs... the increasded coil rate will be good for towing/hauling/etc. I think the other coils you mentioned are gonna make you look really ass high

 

[Scott@Hightech]

Thinking about upping the settings on my front Bilsteins to 2.5 and adding taller SAW coil springs (or similar) to the rear to keep about a 1-1.5 inch rake. I'm currently at 1.75 in front with 1" rear coil spacers on BFG 275s.

Current alignment specs are: caster 2.5/3.0 and camber at -.8/.8 and the steering/handling are perfect.

Given the specs above, what's the chance of getting a proper alignment if I make the changes and DO NOT replace the OEM UCAs? The great driving characterisitics I have now are most important - keeping those might be a long shot and if so I would stay put.

I don't know if this is something that can be somewhat predicted given the above or if you just have to roll the dice.

While it may drive ok, your current alignment isn't that great, infact the reason that its likely not pulling is because its fighting itself, It would pull to the side with lower caster, and higher camber. if caster was even you would have a significant pull to the right since your camber is like this /---/. But since the caster has the right wheel further forward in the wheel well its offsetting that pull.

Going up to the 2.5 setting will reduce the caster even further and typically when aligned correctly you will have between 2.0 and 2.5 degrees of caster and typically around .5 deg camber on both sides. Not the Best but not undriveable. UCAs would make a huge difference.

 

[shaneotool]

That's where I'm leaning, SAW rear 1.5" coil springs based on user reviews, ride quality and specs BUT I'm wondering if 1.5 is tall enough. That would give me 2.5 front/3.5 rear. Most other spring options claim 2" lift which would give me 2.5/4 but that might be too harsh of a ride with no load.

Thought Antman also had airbags.

Just take out your rear 1" spacers when you put the SAWs in.

The SAW springs give most about 2" of lift.
The other 2" springs give more like 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" of lift.

 

[CentcomPete]

Copy that - ALL good advice. Thank you.

 

[Shogun]

While it may drive ok, your current alignment isn't that great, infact the reason that its likely not pulling is because its fighting itself, It would pull to the side with lower caster, and higher camber. if caster was even you would have a significant pull to the right since your camber is like this /---/. But since the caster has the right wheel further forward in the wheel well its offsetting that pull.

Going up to the 2.5 setting will reduce the caster even further and typically when aligned correctly you will have between 2.0 and 2.5 degrees of caster and typically around .5 deg camber on both sides. Not the Best but not undriveable. UCAs would make a huge difference.

[MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION]

sorry op Don't mean to hijack. Came across this thread while searching for alignment specs and what I should have them shoot for. I finally found a good alignment shop that will work with me on my set up to go for whatever I want. From the other threads I have read I need to have them try for:

Camber -0.1
Caster 3.0-4.0 or max
Toe in .05
SAI 12

Does this sound right? I compiled these numbers from several threads but wanted to run it by someone who is more knowledgeable about these things. I also have stock UCA's so what I have read indicates I would be lucky to get anywhere near 3.0 on caster. From reading your post above, it looks like 2.5 may be max for stock. I have slight rub on the body mount and hoping that a proper alignment will fix it. 3/2 lift with 285/70/17's on a 13' LE. I think I only have about 1.2 caster right now.
Thanks

 

[Scott@Hightech]

[MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION]

sorry op Don't mean to hijack. Came across this thread while searching for alignment specs and what I should have them shoot for. I finally found a good alignment shop that will work with me on my set up to go for whatever I want. From the other threads I have read I need to have them try for:

Camber -0.1
Caster 3.0-4.0 or max
Toe in .05
SAI 12

Does this sound right? I compiled these numbers from several threads but wanted to run it by someone who is more knowledgeable about these things. I also have stock UCA's so what I have read indicates I would be lucky to get anywhere near 3.0 on caster. From reading your post above, it looks like 2.5 may be max for stock. I have slight rub on the body mount and hoping that a proper alignment will fix it. 3/2 lift with 285/70/17's on a 13' LE. I think I only have about 1.2 caster right now.
Thanks

Camber As close to zero while being even on both sides
Caster 4.0 or max
Toe in .18

Your rub should move from the body mount to the front fender liner with the correct alignment

 

[RaginTxn84]

Just take out your rear 1" spacers when you put the SAWs in.

The SAW springs give most about 2" of lift.
The other 2" springs give more like 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" of lift.

second that - just put in my SAWs in a couple weeks ago, and I experienced just the slightest (about an 1/8") above 2" - I would recommend the SAWs - completely happy with them. Also have BOSS COs up front @ 2.5" - very happy as well

 

[FiReBReTHa]

Camber As close to zero while being even on both sides
Caster 4.0 or max
Toe in .18

Your rub should move from the body mount to the front fender liner with the correct alignment

Just wanted to say thanks! I was trying to find information like this.

Just got back, my friend was running the alignment and set it to;

Good thread!