Northern Virginia Roll Call

Personal opinions. Should the roll cage be the same color red as my skid plates or satin black?

 

Black, with red racing harness.

 

I already bought the harnesses and seats though

 

Damn. I think the red harnesses look cool. I may be biased with my red spare tire strap though. I still vote black, I think red will be a little much

 

Pink

 

Nevermind, red looks cool. I vote red.

 

Your opinion doesn't count you non-sharing....

 

NOOOOO!!! I can't start down the "DarkGoat" path!!!!!!!!

Not doubting you...just of course I didn't drive yesterday, and immediately pulling out of the driveway and during my 45 minute commute this morning, I couldn't help but keep thinking about the fact that my rear ended up with 2.5 inches of lift over the OE leaf and block (came that way from dealer...not to mention still have the front spacer), and that in turn has altered or shifted the front end angle in general...not necessarily causing the drifting left per say, but could have, right

I will be racking my brain, especially if go pay for an alignment, and it fixes it...then in a month or so do it again after I receive and install my front and rear Elka's. Of course I have @boogie3478 old SPC UCAs, and the replacement ball joints should arrive late this week or early next week (along with the extended front and rear brake lines).
Assuming I should just wait for the Elkas to arrive for the SPC install...but again I have no direct experience with these fun suspension upgrade endeavors!

 

I vote Red for the roll cage.

 

Never thought you were, it was just nice for someone else to confirm what I was thinking. I could've very easily glossed over something and given bad info. A month is kinda a long time to wait and it may chew up your tires.

 

Yeah...now to see if the Firestone lifetime alignment deal is worth it...or just do one at a regular alignment shop now and then get an 4x4 shop to do the post upgrade goodies alignment (have heard mixed things about firestone and aftermarket setups, and firestone service in general).

 

The only chance I could think of it effecting the front end is if the rear is installed improperly.

 

I offered to everyone except you...so you can’t really call me “non-sharing”

 

Yeah, the leaf orientation was correct (military wrap in front/forward shackle. The center pins were seated in the holes.

Now my F-i-L started moving the rear axel at first (forwards and backwards) when I was aligning front sleeve/shackle. I stopped him and had him lower the jack under the axel. Aside from that, I referenced two other members install pictures and e brake modification to verify orientation.

I guess I'll just tack on an alignment with my state inspection tomorrow.

Hopefully it's nothing too serious...but then again I don't have the greatest track record when it comes to wrenching on my Taco

 

Yea the axle moving is common when getting a pack installed. Who knows. Thats weird.

 

I would double check to make sure the u-bolt plates & axle are locked on the center pin on the leaf packs first. Also can check the two rear shackles to see if they are parallel with each other. If not, are the leaf packs side specific? Just installing leafs should not make the front end alignment off enough to cause a pull or steering wheel off-center. If you've only raised the rear and not yet the front anymore, it will decrease the front caster slightly. But not enough to cause those problems

 

If you really wanted me to have a pink roll cage you would have shared. Too late now.

 

UPS labeled cooler arriving soon, prepaid overnight label is inside!

Edit: I kid!

 

Thanks Bill, I'll be investigating these aspects this afternoon.

Tire wear aside, I was more concerned about these type of nuances.

I guess I get to start the what could it be game, I'll look at the centering of ubolts. I was due to retorque ubolts, I was gonna do the same checks on the shackles and hangers, as wheel as lug nuts when I got home (should be ~120 miles total driving since install). I inquired with the vendor on side specific (I was previously told just make sure military wrap is in the forward shackle).

 

Ooof. My mudding boo boo is a little more expensive than I thought it was going to be.