Post-lift Alignment

[KZN-185]

I'm planning for my lift install day and see I'm gong to run into a problem with getting the alignment done, I can either work at home with questionable jack stands or go to a hobby shop with a full toolkit and four post lift to install the OME kit. The question is would I be safe driving 2 hours away after the lift and no alignment? Also, if i did this, what would be better for the cv joints, the stock 265/70/R16 or the larger 285s?

If that's way too far then I'll need to go out tomorrow, buy and ship some tall 6 ton jack stands to Japan, which I'd rather not do.

 

[Spish]

You should be fine to drive the 2 hrs to get it done, just wouldn't go too fast. I bet the alignment is expensive too, I remember when I was at Misawa and needed an alignment on my Town Ace, they wanted $260. I only paid 900 for the van! So I would just go to the junk yard once a year and get an new tire and rim from another van for about $20. Good luck, post up some pics when you get it done. I should have my Toytec Ultimate kit on within the next 2 weeks, can't wait.

 

[brian2sun]

Also, if i did this, what would be better for the cv joints, the stock 265/70/R16 or the larger 285s?

If you want to help prevent CV problems get a diff drop. Tire size isn't going to make much of a difference on your CVs at all (at least if you're only going from 30s to 33s). Plus, 265/70s will look really tiny with a lift, they look tiny on stock runners.

I agree with Spish, you can drive 2 hours to get your alignment without worries, I just would put the new tires on after you get it aligned so you don't wear down the outsides prematurely.

 

[KZN-185]

Yeah from what I understand they don't charge for the whole alignment, but based on how many points require adjusting. It's Japan so I know it'll be pricey. I like your workaround though LOL!
I want to use the Misawa auto hobby shop so I don't have to buy all the tools or get stuck missing one while the front end is broken apart. Then drive back to Gosho to the mechanic I know for the alignment.
Good luck on your Ultimate...I'll bet that back order is killing you!

I ordered the diff drop to go with the lift, i'll be installing that the same day. I also already have the 285s but I'd rather put the misalignment wear on the 265s on the way home.

 

[Spish]

You could always just do the work at Misawa's hobby shop, then get the alignment there in Misawa. The shop was off the same road that the new Universe food store is on, just further down, by the golf shop. It was a yellow building with rims and tires in the windows. I miss Misawa so bad, got a few friends headed back, hopefully I'll have orders soon, Phoenix is too damn hot!

 

[KZN-185]

That would be great, I just not sure if I'll be able to finish the install in one day before the hobby shop closes and be able to make it to a shop for the alignment. If so it would be a sat/sun deal and there's no way the shops are going to be open on sunday. I might have to wait for a holiday weekend to get it done.
I've been in the US for a month on vacation and enjoyed it, but I'm really looking forward to getting back!

 

[Spish]

That would be great, I just not sure if I'll be able to finish the install in one day before the hobby shop closes and be able to make it to a shop for the alignment. If so it would be a sat/sun deal and there's no way the shops are going to be open on sunday. I might have to wait for a holiday weekend to get it done.
I've been in the US for a month on vacation and enjoyed it, but I'm really looking forward to getting back!

Yeah, true. Hope it all works out, you'll have to post up some pics when you get the install done. Here is a pic of my Surf while I was there, thats not me in the pic. This was our annual 4th of july weekend surfing trip to Sendai.

 

[KZN-185]

Going surfing in the Surf! Perfect!
I'm ready for it to get cold again so I go finally go to Hakkoda!
I've got everything together for the lift and can't wait to install. I found both sets of 285/75/R16 tires and wheels, A/T and ice, at UpGarage for $400 each. They showed me the problem with the tires, a little wrinkle on the outer tread, they were brand new otherwise. Drove to Aomori to pick up up and they've been sitting in the garage for 2 months now. Toytec couldn't ship APO, they've had problems with lost packages in the past, so I ordered before I came back to the US and then shipped them APO myself the other day. I'll post before and after shots ASAP!

 

[Spish]

Going surfing in the Surf! Perfect!
I'm ready for it to get cold again so I go finally go to Hakkoda!
I've got everything together for the lift and can't wait to install. I found both sets of 285/75/R16 tires and wheels, A/T and ice, at UpGarage for $400 each. They showed me the problem with the tires, a little wrinkle on the outer tread, they were brand new otherwise. Drove to Aomori to pick up up and they've been sitting in the garage for 2 months now. Toytec couldn't ship APO, they've had problems with lost packages in the past, so I ordered before I came back to the US and then shipped them APO myself the other day. I'll post before and after shots ASAP!

Good find, I loved upgarage, and yellow hat. Hakkoda was my favorite spot to snowboard, we used to stay at the cabins down at Moya hills then go up the road to the mnt, loved that place.