Alignment after coil over swap

So I finally got around to installing the TRD OR front coil overs I bought on my 2017 SR 4X4. I used the method in a OME lift install video I found, where you remove the 2 lower ball joint bolts, loosen the LCA cam bolts and remove/install thru the bottom.

In the video they loosen the cam bolts enough that the LCA swings down when freed, I only loosened them enough to where I could push the LCA down enough to get the clearance I needed. I marked the position on all the cams, but none of them moved at all.

My question is this, since the alignment cams are in the exact same locations as before and the coil overs are the same stock height, shouldn't everything be the same as it was before? I plan to have the alignment checked soon, but I'm curious how big of a priority it should be.

 

It should be fairly close, but I wouldn't go on any long trips. Be fine to drive to the alignment shop (or even to work for a few days if your commute is short). If your caster/camber is a little bit off for 50 miles it's not going to do anything dramatic besides steer a little weird.

 

Get it aligned immediately. Close isn’t correct, you will wreck your tires if it’s off at all.

 

Yeah no long trips this weekend, I did haul a load of mulch to my parents house and then a load of scrap metal to the recycler today, didn't steer funny at all and still tracks straight as an arrow down the road. I'll probably see if I can take it in tomorrow and get it checked out.

 

The camber could be off

 

How though? My understanding is camber and toe are set by the LCA cam bolts, and caster is adjusted at the UCA.

I didn't touch the UCA, and if the cam bolts didn't move shouldn't everything be the same?

 

If you lift the truck via suspension, the alignment will be off, including the camber

You say your suspension is the same as the old, but there could be slight variations in ride height so the resting point of the suspension could be slightly off, leading to alignment and camber issues.

I lifted my old truck, had alignment done, it was all good, drove home, realized camber was off, wheels/tires tilted outwards. Had to bring it back for camber adjustment.

 

Nope, if the ride height changed at all then every angle is now different. Let the new springs settle and sag for a couple of days before getting it aligned. New coils can sag an inch easily, you can speed up the process by bouncing the front end over some steep speed bumps.

 

It's close enough that it'll be fine for now but I'd plan on doing an alignment in the next week or so. Don't sweat it

 

I figure the new coil overs ought to be pretty close in height, they are used and stock.

 

Looks like your truck is a 2.7L 4 banger and I would assume that the TRD OR you got the CO's from was a 6 cylinder, in that case your new CO's have a higher spring rate to support that heavier truck = when you put them on your 4 banger truck you have a bit of lift. In addition even if they are used when they sit for even a few minutes unsprung off the truck they will sit tall when you first put weight on them and they absolutely will settle again. My truck for example at least once a month I have the front end off the ground on jack stands for various work, even though my CO's and springs are a few years old when I first drop the truck the front end will sit 1" or more high and I have to drive over to a nearby parking lot and giver her a few good bounces on some speed bumps to settle it again.

 

What if...using your logic...nothing moved....but your alignment was off even before the install?

The truth is, you can drive your truck just fine.
How long? As long as you want. Maybe it was off before, maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it’s off now, maybe it’s not.
If you’re riding on 1k worth of rubber it’s probably a smart move to do it sooner than later. If you’re riding on stocks and you don’t really care, knock yourself and drive it the way it is as long as you want to.

 

This is an excellent point and something I hadn't considered.

Just had it checked about a month ago and everything was great lol. Still planning to have it looked at soon, really was more interested in the mechanics of everything.

 

Update:

Indeed the alignment was off ever so slighty, I would've figured it would be camber if anything but it was the toe out just a bit.

Thanks for the input guys, y'all were right!