Recommendation on OKC-area alignment shop

[High_Country]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good post-lift alignment shop in the OKC-metro area? (I actually live out northwest near Piedmont/Yukon.)

I'm installing a Toytec adjustable coil over lift and hope to have it be right at 2-inches up front. I am running stock UCA's for now. I have found some great info on alignment specs and tips here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/184431-help-need-info-1-75-lift-alignment-specs.html

But, I don't want to take the truck to Billy Ray's Alignment, Tire, Co-Op, and Deer Cleaning station :der:. I want to take it somewhere that has a really good machine and better techs that I can talk to about the custom setup and about maximizing caster per the link above.

I know there's some local Okie's on here with a lift - [MENTION=78909]alexb[/MENTION], [MENTION=112391]Stillbreathn[/MENTION], etc. Any input is appreciated.

 

[alexb]

I tried a local Firestone and after 3 attempts got my money back. Finally took it to EuroSport in Norman. They do high end sports car alignments and custom racing alignments so they know their stuff. I definitely paid for it though. Custom alignment from them is an hourly rate. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff and they let me hang around out back and watch them work.

I've also heard Freddie's Discount Tire on Reno in OKC is good and does lots of off-road alignments since there's an off-road shop down the road.

I had a terrible right pull after installing my BOSS kit and Eurosport got it figured out. However it seems to have worked itself out the last few months and is pulling again. Probably going to make another appointment with them to get it checked out.

You mind taking pre and post lift measurments? Center of hub to top of wheel well, along with ground to top of wheel well?

Reason I ask is because this thread came up, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/189550-post-lift-measurements.html, and now I'm concerned I have too much front lift which might be causing my alignment problems. I didn't take pre/post measurements and just though I was good at 3" up front since that's what it is supposedly set at from factory and everything looked just fine.

 

[High_Country]

AlexB, thanks so much for the quick and detailed reply. I'll look into both places you recommend. As thanks, here's some info for you.
I just took the 'empty tank' measurements yesterday and took the 'full tank' measurements just now. Hope it helps. I'll post up post-lift measurements when done.

EMPTY TANK
LF to hub: 15-1/8"
LF to fender: 34-3/8"

RF to hub: 15"
RF to fender: 34-1/16"

LR to hub: 15-1/8"
LR to fender: 36-15/16"

RR to hub: 15-1/8"
RR to fender: 36-3/8"

FULL TANK
LF to hub: 15"
LF to fender: 34-1/8"

RF to hub: 15"
RF to fender: 34-1/16"

LR to hub: 15"
LR to fender: 36-1/2"

RR to hub: 15-1/8"
RR to fender: 36-1/4"

Please note that "LF to hub" means that I took the measurement from the GROUND to the center of the hub on the left front. "LF to Fender" means I took the measurement from the GROUND to the top of the fender opening directly above the hub. So, to get the distance from hub to fender you could subtract one from the other.

 

[alexb]

Thanks man. Do you already have the 255/80/17 Coopers on, or is that with stock tires?

 

[High_Country]

Stock tires. Tires are coming in tomorrow (hopefully). Hopefully you can still get some use out of the subtracted measurements. (That shouldn't change with the tires).

 

[alexb]

Those definitely help. Assuming I had about the same measurements and the 1.1" tire size difference, I'm at right about or just under 4" lift in the front, Whoops.... But what's odd is I'm measuring about 3" of lift in the rear instead of the 2" it should be. I've always had about a 1" rake so I thought I was normal and good to go, based on 2" lift springs in the BOSS kit.

Thanks again for the help, sorry to throw things off topic for a bit. Now my only problem is I broke my spanner wrench yesterday trying to adjust things. Emailed ToyTec, hopefully they'll send me a new one. Then I'll drop the front down a bit and go in for another alignment.

 

[Stillbreathn]

My rig is running straight. Big-O tires Edmond I believe his name is Andy

 

[JMG73072]

This will sound nuts but the Midas in Edmond on Broadway Extension was awesome. I've been there twice due to changing the suspension a few times and they will no questions asked do whatever you want. They got me +4 both sides both times even though it took a while. I knew a guy that ran the desk there for a while amd they are good guys, they let me hang out in the shop too while they were working which I appreciated. Freddie's was a joke, Custom Off Road takes all of their work to them, they did my initial alignment way back when I just had a spacer and never would give me the print out, just told me it was in spec tolerance. I think Midas was like 80.00 or so. Put it this way, when I swap out my lca's they will see my truck again.

 

[High_Country]

Thanks again for the help, sorry to throw things off topic for a bit. Now my only problem is I broke my spanner wrench yesterday trying to adjust things. Emailed ToyTec, hopefully they'll send me a new one. Then I'll drop the front down a bit and go in for another alignment.

Well, as you might expect, I got brand new spanner wrenches in with my toytec lift. You're welcome to borrow mine if it works out for you. I hope to have mine set / adjusted this week based on input from Toytec.

I've heard on here that you basically double the amount of exposed threads showing to calculate the lift you'll get. So, if I have 1-inch of exposed threads showing I should end up with 2 inches of lift, right? What's your experience?

 

[High_Country]

This will sound nuts but the Midas in Edmond on Broadway Extension was awesome. Freddie's was a joke, Custom Off Road takes all of their work to them, they did my initial alignment way back when I just had a spacer and never would give me the print out, just told me it was in spec tolerance. I think Midas was like 80.00 or so. Put it this way, when I swap out my lca's they will see my truck again.

Thanks man. I'll have to look them up. That's a good endorsement.

 

[High_Country]

My rig is running straight. Big-O tires Edmond I believe his name is Andy

Great! Thanks. I'll call Andy this week and pick his brain.

 

[alexb]

This will sound nuts but the Midas in Edmond on Broadway Extension was awesome. I've been there twice due to changing the suspension a few times and they will no questions asked do whatever you want. They got me +4 both sides both times even though it took a while. I knew a guy that ran the desk there for a while amd they are good guys, they let me hang out in the shop too while they were working which I appreciated. Freddie's was a joke, Custom Off Road takes all of their work to them, they did my initial alignment way back when I just had a spacer and never would give me the print out, just told me it was in spec tolerance. I think Midas was like 80.00 or so. Put it this way, when I swap out my lca's they will see my truck again.

That's excellent to hear since I am literally about 2 minutes from there. I'll have to give them a try. $80 is way better than the $90/hr custom rate at Eurosport 40min away in Norman.

Well, as you might expect, I got brand new spanner wrenches in with my toytec lift. You're welcome to borrow mine if it works out for you. I hope to have mine set / adjusted this week based on input from Toytec.

I've heard on here that you basically double the amount of exposed threads showing to calculate the lift you'll get. So, if I have 1-inch of exposed threads showing I should end up with 2 inches of lift, right? What's your experience?

Which kit did you get? BOSS or Ultimate? I think the collars may be different on the ultimate kit. If I can take it somewhere with a welder, they can probably just weld the broken tab back on.

I've never actually heard that theory on the exposed threads. I'll have to measure it and see if its true. I know they say 1/4" worth of adjustment on the threads equals 1/2" of adjustment in ride height.

 

[High_Country]

I ended up (after MUCH deliberation, back and forth, phone calls with Toytec and Wheeler's Off-Road) going with the Toytec Adjustable Coilover/Bilstein shock setup for the front - which I believe is what's in the 'Ultimate Kit'. Here's a link to the product from Toytec:
ToyTec Coil Overs (95.5-04 Taco & 96-02 4RUN)
After looking at pictures of these wrenches and the wrench pictured in the Boss kit, I believe you're right. The kit may be different and so may be the wrench. Here are some photos of the wrenches for comparison:

And here are a couple pics of the front coil overs:

For the rear, I went with the standard Bilstein shocks and at the time, some simple 1.5 inch spacers. It's kind of a long story, I have my reasons, and it's all based on opinion and future plans at this point, but it was the right thing to do at this point in the build.

 

[High_Country]

I also got my Cooper ST Maxx 255/80/17 tires put on this Monday (in the snow!) at Discount tire.

They look great - aggressive yet not TOO aggressive and I'm personally a fan of the tall skinny look.

Much to my surprise, with no lift yet, I'm not experiencing any rubbing. I've been somewhat cautious - as I fully expected quite a bit of rubbing - but even the few times I've had the wheel at full lock in a parking lot or driveway, I haven't heard or felt rubbing. Granted, I was on level ground and going slow. But, still, it's not like I'm having to take wiiiiiide sweeping turns just to avoid rubbing. Quite the contrary; I'm driving it just like I did before with no ill effect.

The tires do make a little more noise than the stock ones; however, for how aggressive they are, I'm pleasantly surprised. I noticed the noise increase only because I was listening for it. For instance, my wife will never notice (which is always a good benchmark for compromising vehicle modifications!!!).

They do ride noticeably rougher/stiffer. I expected this going from a "P"-rated passenger tire to a 10 ply, load range E, "LT" truck tire. But, it is noticeable and it is a sacrifice. (I'm currently running at 38-40psi in the tires depending on temperature). I'm hoping the upgrade of springs (up front) and shocks will help dampen the stiffness out some. Oh well - gotta pay to play.

I need to take full measurements at all four corners again, but a quick measurement from the ground to the center of the hub up front shows a gain of 7/8 to 15/16" increase in height / ground clearance just from the tires. I'll take it!

I also checked my speedometer with a handheld GPS. Interestingly enough, it appears SPOT ON with the new tires which leads me to believe the factory reads a bit fast.

All for now. I'm hoping to start installing the lift tomorrow night!

 

[alexb]

Looking good man. I emailed ToyTec Sunday and ended up getting a new wrench in the mail from ToyTec today for free. Amazing customer support. Thanks for the offer though! Can't wait to see everything installed.

I noticed the same thing with my speedo. It seems more accurate now after the larger tires.

 

[High_Country]

QWell, I got everything installed tonight. It went pretty well all things considered. The first side up front was painfully slow as I was trying to figure everything out. Took about 2 hours - haha. The second side - after I figured everything out took about 30 minutes! (Granted I also was dealing with the KDSS which wasn't a HUGE deal but took some time).

The rear was cake - even with the KDSS.

Do you have any idea (or could you do me a big favor and find out) how much thread is exposed below the adjusting collar on your truck? Just curious.

I've got one inch to 1-1/8" of threads below the adjusting collar on mine.

HERE ARE MY POST LIFT MEASUREMENTS WITH THE COOPER ST MAXX ON:

LF to fender: 38-1/2"
RF to fender: 38-3/4"
LR to fender: 39-5/16"
RR to fender: 39"

I need to grab all the hub to fender measurements - I'll do that tomorrow.

 

[alexb]

QWell, I got everything installed tonight. It went pretty well all things considered. The first side up front was painfully slow as I was trying to figure everything out. Took about 2 hours - haha. The second side - after I figured everything out took about 30 minutes! (Granted I also was dealing with the KDSS which wasn't a HUGE deal but took some time).

The rear was cake - even with the KDSS.

Do you have any idea (or could you do me a big favor and find out) how much thread is exposed below the adjusting collar on your truck? Just curious.

I've got one inch to 1-1/8" of threads below the adjusting collar on mine.

HERE ARE MY POST LIFT MEASUREMENTS WITH THE COOPER ST MAXX ON:

LF to fender: 38-1/2"
RF to fender: 38-3/4"
LR to fender: 39-5/16"
RR to fender: 39"

I need to grab all the hub to fender measurements - I'll do that tomorrow.

Nice man. I have the BOSS kit so the amount of threads are probably going to be different since the BOSS kit and Ultimate kit adjust in different ways. I checked here while back I it was like 16 or 17 threads.

 

[johnwoo]

I know this is old but any feedback on experiences from original poster concerning Midas. I live in the deer creek edmond area and just got the Lexus lifted and need alignment bad

 

[aa.allen]

I know this is old but any feedback on experiences from original poster concerning Midas. I live in the deer creek edmond area and just got the Lexus lifted and need alignment bad

I had a bad experience with Hibdon in Midwest City and a friend had an even worse experience with Hibdon in Edmond so I'd say stay away from Hibdon