Out of Alignment Yet Again

When I bought my 2020 OR it seemed to pull a bit to the left compared to my 2016 SR5. It wasn't super bad, but it didn't seem right. After lifting the truck 2" I had an alignment done in April 2020 which fixed the issue. Is bad alignment from the factory a thing? After putting on 5k miles including a fair amount of off road driving it started pulling to the right, so I took it in today for another alignment. I also wanted to move the wheels forward a tad to fix some rubbing issues. My alignment was off more than I expected from where it was in April (or the two different machines are not calibrated the same).

4/2020

toe: 0.09 0.02
camber: 0.6 0.7
caster: 2.1 2.3

11/2020 BEFORE

toe: -0.56 -0.24
camber: -0.72 0.41
caster: 4.29 3.44

11/2020 AFTER

toe: 0.07 0.07
camber: 0.25 0.30
caster: 4.75 4.81

I've never paid attention to alignment numbers until I lifted my taco in 2020, so my expectations could be way off, but this seems excessive after less than a year. Should I expect to get an alignment once a year?

 

You play you pay. Its lifted!!

 

ehhhhh seems like alot of movement unless your literally bouncing your truck off rocks

 

If everything was installed correctly and alignment done right there is no reason for it to be out like this without something else causing it to be.

 

There is no typical problem with these trucks and alignment. I can 99% for sure say it has to do with your mods.

 

Let me reiterate that I have driven my truck off the road quite a bit this year and that I’m not looking for sympathy.

 

I’ll take his share of sympathy ...it’s been a tough week.

 

Firestone life time alignment $200 Worth it.

 

I believe pep boys offers one also

 

ohhh!! I didn't know that!!!

 

Make sure the cams are being torqued to spec (100ft/lbs), too many alignment techs tighten as much as they can with wrenches and send it out. Its never torqued to spec when I go under and check at home.

 

It gets better buddy. Just weather the storm.

 

Yep, and it is on sale frequently for $180.

 

Yes. Well, a good one. Being 'in the green' is all they shoot for. Sports car guys who actually drive sporty (like autox) will have a precision alignment done to their numbers within the first week of ownership.

Use does impact alignment. You can be perfect and 10 minutes later hit the right pothole and not be perfect.

It happens.

Caution in those big box all you can eat alignments. Many locations are franchises with 'get it green' or 'toe and go' mentality. Interview and find out about their willingness to adjust to YOUR number request before dropping your $ .

 

OP do you have upper control arms or oem ? You definitely have a little positive camber. Should try to shoot for 0.0 camber.

 

This is exactly why I don’t play around with lift kits and large aftermarket tires. It throws everything off. You will likely fight these issues along with premature tire wear, etc.. Having your truck look cool like that comes with a price to pay. Even if the lift is installed 100% correctly and things start smooth, the issues will eventually rise as the truck ages and turns miles. You are essentially throwing everything off in the front end. It adds stresses to components that would typically have no issues in the factory configuration.

 

I have SPC UCAs and king coil-overs adjusted to about 2” lift

 

Understood and accepted trade off.

 

I'm spoiled with my solid front axle. Not looking forward to IFS. But just as long as they can get it to not wear the tires you may just have to deal.

 

Exactly. If one is aware and willing to deal with the issues, it's basically a non issue.