Alignment - What would you do?

Around 10 or 11 years ago I purchased Icon adjustable front coilovers to level my otherwise stock Tacoma. I added about 1.25 to 1.5 inches in the front. I immediately had an alignment done.

Fast forward to 2018 I started adding weight, AT Habitat, steel bumpers, sliders, winch, batteries, fridge, you name it. Running near or above GVWR. No adjustment to the coils, no alignment.



Then in late 2021, through today, I'm usually running with the Scout in the bed. No adjustment to the coilovers, no alignment.



Now, heading my way are new Bilstein 6112s (same rate springs as the Icons), set at APPROXIMATELY 2 inches for a STOCK truck...

Now, knowing I've never had an alignment since the original install, and my tires always wearing evenly, and my truck tracking perfectly, do you suggest I get an alignment immediately after install of the new coilovers, or leave it alone?

Everything has been so perfect for so long, I'm afraid to have it touched!

 

Anytime coils are changed out, you'll affect the ride height, which can (and most likely will) adjust the alignment, so it will need to be done. Only if you pull out those parts and put them back in the same way would the alignment remain the same.

 

Part of my point has been that my ride height has drastically changed across the life of my truck, due to weight and sag, but my tire wear has always been great. All the way from higher than stock, to below stock ride height.

130k and have gone through 2.75 sets of tires (always rotated every oil change/5k miles)

Does that change your thoughts at all?

 

You should get an alignment done after you replace the front suspension. Even if your tires have been wearing well up until this point, there is no guarantee that they will continue to do so unless you get the alignment checked and set correctly.

 

Always, it doesn’t take long and it can find an underlying problem as well.

On a beater? No way, but this truck has major purpose and value to you in its function.

 

What would make my alignment NOT correct if it is currently? Ride height should be within the same range, and I will not be touching the cam tabs during install.

 

If you're ABSOLUTELY sure your alignment is fine (same exact wear on both the insides and outsides of both front tires, the vehicle tracks straight, and your tires (camber) are straight up/down), and if the ride height change is within 0" lower to 0.5" higher (measured from the fender lip to center of wheel hub), chances are fairly good you should be fine.
However there always is the possibility that taking things apart and reassembling it can change something (and is probably why most are saying to have it checked). If your steering wheel changes position even in the slightest (or it starts to pull slightly one way or the other), have it checked.

 

As you drive, your tires hit bumps, potholes, curbs, and so forth….so that slowly causes your tires to come out of spec…..and then you are also messing with your suspension, even if you are not loosening the cam bolts…..

alignment is cheap. Locally to my, I have guys that do it for $60…but even if it was $120….its worth to know that it’s all good.
You are recommended to go once a year.

 

Alignment is a wear item on a long enough timeline
do it, it's cheap anyway

 

I actually paid for lifetime alignment at Firestone, so it has zero to do with cost. Just the fact it's been perfect for over 10 years, I hate the idea of it getting messed up, lol.

 

Tracks straight and true (hands off wheel on freeway), and tire wear is always even. Even took some extra time to make sure no cupping or uneven wear this evening after work. That 0.5 inches is the kicker. My truck has dropped the nose a good 2 to 3 inches in the life of these Icons (and alignment). Maybe I just got lucky and my abuse has kept my alignment in spec as the nose dropped, lol.

 

OP

How many miles are on your tires? If they are pass half life... no alignment and see if it wears the same as before.

If it doesn't and causes uneven wear.... then get the alignment with the next set of tires.

 

At MOST 15k miles on them.

 

Everyone talks about alignments anytime you do anything but I swapped my truck to the pro suspension and it drove fine after so I never bothered. Same as you, no issues with wear. Been about 60k miles at this point.

If you are swapping UCAs / LCAs or loosening the lca bolts then sure you probably should do one.

I’m sure there’s as many opinions about alignments as there are about oil change intervals.

 

In all those years you have never changed a Ball Joint or Tie Rod?

Are you on Stock UCA?
My last experience with Firestone was horrible, never again will they touch my truck. I can do better in my driveway. Some get lucky when there is a competent Tech. Went to another chain and it took 3 rounds and still not as desired, but good enough for now. But I have had 2 other guys nail it in the past. They weren't available this last time.

 

Never changed a ball joint or tie rod. Still on stock UCA. We'll be looking at all the ball joints/bushings when we put the new Bilsteins in. If they are in need of replacement, I'll get that done at the offroad shop I use. Already planning them to do my rear bearings, and can add that stuff to my list. And yes, I would absolutely get an alignment after getting that work done.

 

Seems some only care about alignment as long as tire wear is even. And that's fine. Others like myself have OCD about steering wheel straightness, pull to the side, having the Toe set to 0 or even slightly inwards, 0 degree Camber to slightly negative, Caster between 2.5 to 3 degrees or more. As you add weight to the rear and go noes high your toe moves outward and a loss of precision and tracking occurs.
It may feel fine but you may not know what you are missing. I have limited options for alignments on aftermarket parts; running SPC UCA. If you are in an area with 4X4 shops you will likely have better luck.
Firestone wrecked a set of tires, smashed the cam washer on the alignment tab and angled it to the point of the LCA coming against the inside of the pocket. They barely even touched the UCA alignment points and sent me off with a crooked steering wheel and hard pull to the left. I did get a refund. Did I mention my disdain for Firestone?!

 

i am not a fan of firestone either, but I bought in to their forever alignment years ago. never been back though haha.

As for tracking, my steering wheel is dead center and the truck tracks perfectly on good, non-rutted, pavement. That is empty, and loaded beyond GVWR. I've never had it not track great.