Will Raising Ride Height 1" - 1.5" Effect Alignment Significantly?

[JimJr15]

Hey Guys,

Just installed Icon/Metal Tech Stage 6 Tubular last week. I told the shop to install and setup keeping factory rake and now I'm regretting it and wished I had leveled it a little higher in front.

It probably needs to go another 1-1.5". Any insight as to how this will effect the existing alignment numbers?

I'm imagining a slight addition to caster, but probably not measurable

I can't imagine it will effect Toe or Camber adversely?

Below are the alignment numbers from last weeks install:

 

[SoFloT4Run]

Hey Guys,

Just installed Icon/Metal Tech Stage 6 Tubular last week. I told the shop to install and setup keeping factory rake and now I'm regretting it and wished I had leveled it a little higher in front.

It probably needs to go another 1-1.5". Any insight as to how this will effect the existing alignment numbers?

I'm imagining a slight addition to caster, but probably not measurable

I can't imagine it will effect Toe or Camber adversely?

Below are the alignment numbers from last weeks install:

I lifted my truck in the front about 1-1.5 inches in the front, thus leveling the truck and I did not encounter any major alignment issues. Mind you I still have my stock UCAs.

I think that when u start doing 3" lifts is when you start seeing significant alignment adjustments which will require aftermarket UCAs.

 

[JimJr15]

I have Icon Tubular UCAs

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

Not sure what you are asking, but yes. You will need to get another alignment done if change your ride height.

 

[JimJr15]

My question is, if I raise my front ride height 1-1.5" do I need to redo my alignment?

I have no problem paying for a new alignment, but as I run through the geometry in my head, my pea brain tells that:

- The Toe and Camber will not change
- The Caster will increase if anything, which I believe is a benefit over the 3.6* I currently enjoy?

 

[honda250xtitan]

it'll handle worse. It will probably feel like it wants to dart around. Get it re aligned. also you'll wear out the tires prematurely.

 

[stphnman20]

For me, anytime you mess with the front suspension, get it aligned.

 

[Jetboy]

My question is, if I raise my front ride height 1-1.5" do I need to redo my alignment?

I have no problem paying for a new alignment, but as I run through the geometry in my head, my pea brain tells that:

- The Toe and Camber will not change
- The Caster will increase if anything, which I believe is a benefit over the 3.6* I currently enjoy?

The answer is yes. The alignment will change a lot when you adjust ride height. In a perfect world the steering axis would perfectly match the steering rod points and the a-arms would keep the spindle in a perfect vertical motion. But unfortunately it doesn't really work that way on these.

As you go up the caster will decrease, the toe will decrease (I think - can't remember on this one - but it will change), and the camber will decrease.

 

[TfourR]

Quick answer and probably the answer you don't want to hear, but yes.

 

[MannMade82]

Well worth the $80 to not prematurely wear tires...

 

[CF_Machete]

Yes! You will f-up your tires. I just lifted my truck to a full 3 in front from 2.5. I was pigeon towed in. At sts now getting an alignment

 

[Titanpat57]

Yes..re-align....peace of mind

 

[MossJenks]

My question is, if I raise my front ride height 1-1.5" do I need to redo my alignment?

I have no problem paying for a new alignment, but as I run through the geometry in my head, my pea brain tells that:

- The Toe and Camber will not change
- The Caster will increase if anything, which I believe is a benefit over the 3.6* I currently enjoy?

1) How do ya reckon the camber won't change?

2) Caster is going to decrease, not increase.

3) How are you going to get the spacer in there without taking everything apart thus borking your alignment?

 

[JimJr15]

1) How do ya reckon the camber won't change?

2) Caster is going to decrease, not increase.

3) How are you going to get the spacer in there without taking everything apart thus borking your alignment?

I misspoke. Camber will change but if you look at the alignment specs I provided from last weeks alignment, my camber is slightly positive. If Camber decreases, it should go closer to 0 or even if it went slightly negative, as long as it's within spec, I thought it might be OK.

My Alignment specs show positive Caster, my thought was that as the truck frame raised in relation to the spindle, that the effect would be the spindle rotating slightly more positive in relation to vertical.

I don't need a spacer, as I stated in the OP, I just installed a set of Icon shocks. I'm threading the ride height perch up with a spanner wrench.

I am realizing that the toe is definitely going to change (decrease) due to the additional ride height sucking the tie rods in.

At the end of the day, it's not a big deal to get another alignment and it's what I'm going to do. I just wanted to set the ride height myself tonight, then once happy with the stance, drive it to the alignment shop.

 

[stphnman20]

I misspoke. Camber will change but if you look at the alignment specs I provided from last weeks alignment, my camber is slightly positive. If Camber decreases, it should go closer to 0 or even if it went slightly negative, as long as it's within spec, I thought it might be OK.

My Alignment specs show positive Caster, my thought was that as the truck frame raised in relation to the spindle, that the effect would be the spindle rotating slightly more positive in relation to vertical.

I don't need a spacer, as I stated in the OP, I just installed a set of Icon shocks. I'm threading the ride height perch up with a spanner wrench.

I am realizing that the toe is definitely going to change (decrease) due to the additional ride height sucking the tie rods in.

At the end of the day, it's not a big deal to get another alignment and it's what I'm going to do. I just wanted to set the ride height myself tonight, then once happy with the stance, drive it to the alignment shop.

Thats what I did. I installed Icon and left the settings from the factory. Got alignment and left it like that. I raised the front myself by adding a couple of turns and got about an inch. Went to get an alignment and it was off. Not much, but still off. You won't really notice it right now but after a while you'll notice it from uneven tire wear.

 

[spetka]

Thats what I did. I installed Icon and left the settings from the factory. Got alignment and left it like that. I raised the front myself by adding a couple of turns and got about an inch. Went to get an alignment and it was off. Not much, but still off. You won't really notice it right now but after a while you'll notice it from uneven tire wear.

Also if you rotate the tires as per recommendation, you may not really notice the wear, just that you may need to buy tires more often, or yours don't seem to last as long as they should.