Unable to get truck aligned

Tried to get my truck aligned yesterday, couldn't because of the rims and the tires. They said my tires had beed protection, a lip protecting the rim. And my rims have some bumps on their outer edges. They told me to put on my factory rims to get it aligned. I may just let it ride until I put some taller tires on my factory rims, I can't see aligning the vehicle with some tires that are 2" shorter than the ones I will be running kinda defeating the purpose. What do you think?

 

Strange. I was just told today, while I was getting my alignment done, that I will have some drift to the left. To get rid of this completely, I need to get some new Upper Control Arms...like Tota Chaos UCAs. Maybe it might be the same solution for you.

I have a 3" lift and 285/70/17 tires. The tires and rims threw me a bit. I can live with the slight drift, but I'll probably get the UCAs to get the extra castor.

 

My truck is riding fine couldn't be better, no vibrations or drift. I let go of the wheel and she stays straight. I was just going to do it because of the lift and taller tires but I may just wait. I plan on using the old steel wheels for trails and such so i'll be putting some aggressive tires on it most likely 33s so I'll wait and aligne it then most likely. Upper control arms will likely be in the future.

 

Where did you take it for an allignment?

I would take the truck somewhere else and see if you get the same response.

Obviously, the machine they use for allignments is why they can't do it. So perhaps another shop/dealer has a different allignment setup?

 

I just traded in my Rubicon for the Tacoma and I was told something like that at a shop.
I went down the street to a four wheel drive shop that had a bigger machine and got it done no problem

 

After leaving there I went to 2 other shops and they said the same thing. Here are some pictures.
They say they can't grab the rim well becasue of these here bumps (for lack of a better term).

This one shows how the tires come out past the rim to protect it but at the same time make it difficult to grab the rim properly, which may result in scuffing them.

 

Imrubicon. Thats what I was planning on doing but so far all the 4 wheel shops don't do alignments. Go figure, In my opinion I would want to be able to do alignments in my shop.

 

Gotta fix your links ...getting RED X's.

Looks like you copied a URL instead of a pict link.

 

Janster Thank you mam, not sure what happened. I had to delete them from my photo gallery and load them again, they were there this morning we'll see if this last.

 

as for the alignment, certain wheels have certain drawbacks with the targets, however, you can align your truck with stock wheels then put on customs. The tire height does not change the alignment. I have been doing alignments for 16 years and happen to have tire clinching heads for our new HUNTER machine. Find an alignment shop that knows what they are doing. There is a distinct difference between making adjustments and knowing what the adjustment will do. As for TC upper arms, that's the only way to build caster back into the front and at 70mph + you will see why you need more caster than what your left with after a control arm pump up type lift.

 

ellsworth Thanks for the info. I will be putting the factory fronts back on this week unless I go to work.

 

Chris4x4 where do you get your alignments done? The dealership cant seem to get my alignment done correctly. and whats the cost?

 

I went to Big O Tires close by...that's where my lift installer takes all the trucks to. I probably should have tried a different alignment shop.

Too late now, though, I just picked up a pair of Total Chaos UCAs for $567 shipped. I just need to get them installed...or I can just sell them and live with the drift.

I hate to steal the thread, but anyone else out there who have the TC UCAs pretty happy with them?

 

Nice, thanks Chris ill check it out.