When should I get my front end alignment

[SunPilot]

I'm about to do a lot of work on my '07 Sport. I have my suspension kit ordered and will be putting it on next week. Then tires and wheels will come next. I also plan to do front and rear bumpers, front will have a winch, and rear will be swing out for tire and fuel can carrier.

Should I get the alignment before I install the new tires? Should I get it done after the suspension and tires are installed, or should I wait until the bumpers are in place? Will the extra weight of the bumpers affect the alignment? I know they will make the lift squat more due to the weight...I don't want to get more than one alignment if I don't have to.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Honestly the best bet would be to save all the parts and do it all at once if you want to just get one alignment done.

Otherwise you're gonna want to break it up into two main parts:

Do an alignment after Lift and Tires, then have it checked/realigned after you've added all the bumpers and such as this will affect the measurements slightly as the vehicle is loaded up with weight.

 

[stphnman20]

Honestly the best bet would be to save all the parts and do it all at once if you want to just get one alignment done.

Otherwise you're gonna want to break it up into two main parts:

Do an alignment after Lift and Tires, then have it checked/realigned after you've added all the bumpers and such as this will affect the measurements slightly as the vehicle is loaded up with weight.

I agree. Wait till you have all the parts, lift, tires, etc, install then do an alignment.

 

[SunPilot]

I was thinking the weight might throw the alignment off. I'll try to do it all at once...If I have a lag time between suspension and bumpers I might just run the stock tires and save the new ones until I can get the bumpers on.

 

[blackoutt]

Sometimes new suspension can take a while to settle in too so aligning right after it's installed might not be the best idea anyway. I usually rough an alignment in with strings/2x4/digital level shade tree methods and drive it like that for a couple weeks. Admittedly it's been a couple months now since swapping from 5100's to coilovers with no alignment yet but it's in the plans.

 

[Fomer_FJ_owner805]

I had my Bilstein's 5100 installed for about 100 miles, and installed new rims and 285 Nitto Ridge. I got my alignment immediately after the wheels and tires and it was waaaaaaaaaaay off. My Nittos were $$$$$$$$ so it would have wore the tires.

 

[RonJR]

When you install a lift on a 4runner, 3 things will happen.
- Caster will go less positive, affecting steering stability but little effect on tire wear.
- Camber will go more positive, with minor effects on tire wear and stability.
- Toe will change, probably toeing in, with major effects on tire wear. You need to deal with that at the same time you install your new tires, and again when you add the extra weight up front and the ride height changes, which will change all three alignment parameters once again.

 

[Brian3676]

Any work that affects the vehicle height in any way an alignment is needed.

Tires have no effect on alignment

 

[SunPilot]

When you install a lift on a 4runner, 3 things will happen.
- Caster will go less positive, affecting steering stability but little effect on tire wear.
- Camber will go more positive, with minor effects on tire wear and stability.
- Toe will change, probably toeing in, with major effects on tire wear. You need to deal with that at the same time you install your new tires, and again when you add the extra weight up front and the ride height changes, which will change all three alignment parameters once again.

That's what I figured. My plan is to do the suspension next week and then order wheels and tires. I will probably not be driving the vehicle, except to "try it out" LOL. Then I'll be working on the bumpers. It might take some time, as I plan to fab my own bumpers. I don't need the truck, as I have another vehicle, so it can sit in the garage until I get done with the bumpers. I'm thinking I will do the alignment after the bumpers and winch are installed. Most of the additional weight from my gear would be similar to carrying passengers after that, and I probably won't worry about it too much.