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Alignment Cam Delete - Which ones?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by steveo27, Sep 17, 2024.

  1. Sep 17, 2024 at 10:09 PM
    #1
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Gettin tired of the LCA cams getting bumped out of alignment so I’d like to just delete them.


    The truck has stock LCAs and SPC UCAs.

    The LCAs are pushed as far toward as possible and the caster and camber are both set with the UCAs.

    I don’t need any adjustability at the LCAs and would like to replace the factory alignment cams with a non adjustable cam.

    The factory tabs are in good shape, and I plan on reinforcing them instead of replacing them at the moment.

    There’s a buncha different kits out there on the market that all seems to be pretty comparable.

    Bison OR, Solo Motorsports, Poly Performance, KP Off-road, ect.

    What kits are you guys using? Complaints? Criticisms? Ect?
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2024
  2. Sep 19, 2024 at 3:34 AM
    #2
    ClassyTacos

    ClassyTacos National Treasure 3, Times a ticking Nickolas

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    I would replace the factory tabs as well. You're in there just do it. For tabs TC or DK. For the cam bolt eleminators tons of options which ever one you fancy. I went with the 333 Fabrication eleminators and DK tabs. Been alignment free for over a year with many trips.
     
  3. Sep 19, 2024 at 7:57 AM
    #3
    Tulsa Taco

    Tulsa Taco Well-Known Member

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    I need to look into this. It’s annoying coming off trails and finding my steering wheel is a little more crooked.
     
  4. Sep 19, 2024 at 8:03 AM
    #4
    hyrule_trd

    hyrule_trd It’s a Secret to Everybody

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    I have KP Off Road and no complaints. I only have the bolts and cams, not the tabs installed. Those are stock and I’ve not had an issue with them bending those over. And yep, have been off roading over lots of rocks.

    IMG_8166.jpg
     
    Chairmanmeow66 and drizzoh like this.
  5. Sep 20, 2024 at 7:04 AM
    #5
    JFriday1

    JFriday1 Well-Known Member

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    I run the 333 one's as well. If you have an adjustable UCA like SPC, Dobinson's Billet... then I think that they work pretty well. If you have non-adjustable UCA's then the octagon shaped ones would be better to dial it in right. I max the caster on the inside bolt, then do whatever setting (+- or Neutral) you need for the front bolt and then fix the camber on top with an angle finder. Range should be -.5 to +.8 per Accutune.

    I use a laser meter to do Toe and just try and toe it in a tiny bit. (1/16").

    Drives pretty good. not perfect, but close enough for me rather than getting an alignment 2+ times a year or being denied an alignment with shops bc they don't know what they are doing or try and push services on you that you don't need.

    I was denied an alignment once at rep 4x4 shop in Denver bc I had a torn outer Tie rod boot on a month old tie rod and they couldn't even offer to slip a replacement on in its place, or call me to ask what I wanted to do. Instead told me that my tie rods had play which they didn't. (All Brand New).
     
  6. Sep 20, 2024 at 7:54 AM
    #6
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Yep.

    I fine tune the alignment at the UCA since it’s adjustable.

    Doing the alignment at home has become a piece of cake. I’m just tired of having to do it so often because no matter how tight the alignment cam hardware is, it still moves.

    I mark em with a paint pen and it’s still annoying
     
    JFriday1 likes this.
  7. Sep 24, 2024 at 10:19 AM
    #7
    PathFinder1776

    PathFinder1776 Well-Known Member

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    That is a total pain. And the system shouldn't be reliant on over-torqued cam bolts to maintain the position of the LCA. That's just not how bushings work, even the dumb stock ones probably don't work well over-torqued. It's better to rely on normal force than friction to locate the LCA.
    I've had the Poly Performance Tacotabs on a 2nd gen and now a 1st gen along with modified control arms. Both were able to get in spec despite the limited adjustment resolution. Since you have adjustable uppers they should work well. They're a little more work to align initially (swapping locating washers vs rotating them in place) but maxing out the caster and setting camber to the center setting is where most seem to end up. I'd also recommend welding the backs of the tabs to keep them from smashing over. That system worked great on my 2nd gen with 37s and 35s.
     
    steveo27[OP] likes this.
  8. Oct 11, 2024 at 11:41 AM
    #8
    shaggy135

    shaggy135 Well-Known Member

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    KP Off-road here. Went with their whole kit, tabs and all.
     
  9. Jan 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
    #9
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Bumping this back up for more input
     
  10. Jan 21, 2025 at 6:25 AM
    #10
    TacoTuesday603

    TacoTuesday603 I welded it helded

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    KPO has the best fit I have seen. Comparing this to Bison and tacotabs at least.
    upload_2025-1-21_9-23-54.png
    upload_2025-1-21_9-24-13.png
     
  11. May 8, 2025 at 8:35 AM
    #11
    BigMike

    BigMike Applied common sense Vendor

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    Hey @steveo27, I know this is an older thread but I wanted to share that there is a better way to do this than taking the time to drill spot welds & cut your tabs off: Reinforce them!

    For anyone looking for a better way to strengthen your cam tabs, back in 2019 we developed a lower control arm frame brace kit that not only strengthens all 16 factory cam tabs by wrapping them around 1/4" plate steel, but it also adds double-shear plating to all four LCA mount flanges for increased sub-frame strength + prevents getting them stuck or bent on rocks or other objects passing under your truck, it adds a forward angled plate which helps shield and deflect alignment hardware away from frontal impacts, and it prevents sloppy alignment shops from incorrectly rotating your eccentrics upside-down.

    I posted a thread on how to optionally install our kit without removing a single part from your vehicle, saving labor time/costs and avoiding the cost of a vehicle re-alignment. Check that out here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-strengthen-cam-tabs-without-removing-control-arms.858217/

    Thanks for letting me share our setup, we really like it :cheers:

    Regards,
    BigMike

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Jun 3, 2025 at 8:57 AM
    #12
    Chairmanmeow66

    Chairmanmeow66 Well-Known Member

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    Does your cam octagon touch your tabs? Mine has 1/4” gap on one side
     
  13. Jun 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
    #13
    fatfurious2

    fatfurious2 IG: great_white_taco

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    Me too. I have Bison OR. Also I don't like that a bolt sleeve was copper. I saw some were plastic too.

    I have TC cam tabs, but also plan on reinforcing them with part of a Marlin Crawler kit.
     
  14. Jun 3, 2025 at 10:25 AM
    #14
    hyrule_trd

    hyrule_trd It’s a Secret to Everybody

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    I’ll have to check but think some do have a little space. I may have beat them closer with a brass punch but I can’t say I really remember. I’ll check once I get a chance.
     
  15. Jun 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM
    #15
    TacoTuesday603

    TacoTuesday603 I welded it helded

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    I have the kpo full kit. Less than 1/16" of space which I think is about perfect. Any less it would be a pain to get the front end back together.

    upload_2025-6-3_13-27-45.png
     
  16. Jun 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM
    #16
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    I went with the KPO’s a couple months back.

    OEM tabs. No gap.

    I’m gonna weld the OEM tabs at some point since they’re still in good shape.
     
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  17. Jun 3, 2025 at 12:17 PM
    #17
    BigMike

    BigMike Applied common sense Vendor

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    @Chairmanmeow66 Make sure your factory tabs are both straight and perpendicular to your frame, which might help close up any gaps

    @fatfurious2 For running our HD Frame Brace parts over the top of a TC kit, the actual measurements of a TC kit looks like this (theoretical):

    MC with TC overlay, per spec.jpg


    However, that is only if you have not already welded their tabs in place. If the TC kit has already been welded in, then you'll be looking to both grind down the welds on your inner-most tabs (all 8) to a more flush shape and then cut off all outer legs from our upright plates (all 8), like so:

    01.jpg

    With the legs cut off our uprights at the red line shown, then you can slap our uprights over the top of the TC setup like so:

    02.jpg

    03.jpg

    04.jpg

    And then burn our kit to both your frame and the TC tabs:

    05.jpg

    Doing it this way, our plates will sit slightly lower than normal (about a 1/4" or less) but will avoid having to grind all 16 of our tab surfaces while still gaining the same double-shear and control arm frame mount strength benefits our kit provides.

    Also, grinding a chamfer on the backside of our upright plates can help go over your previous welds of each TC tab, like so:

    06.jpg


    Thank you Timberline Automotive for these pics.

    While I don't think there is a need for the TC kit anymore, if you already have it then I hope these pics help make the most out of both kits!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

    Regards,
    BigMike

    IMG_028037_900.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2025
  18. Jun 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
    #18
    Chairmanmeow66

    Chairmanmeow66 Well-Known Member

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    :notsure:
    Sounds good I haven’t installed mine yet but I do have a drop bracket and the inner measurement from tab to tab is 2 1/4” while the octagon cam is 2”and also atm my original cam has space inbetween as well :notsure:
     
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  19. Jun 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
    #19
    hyrule_trd

    hyrule_trd It’s a Secret to Everybody

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    Don’t get too excited to instal them and make the rookie (should have known better) mistake and forget to paint them like I did :rofl:

    I’ve not forgotten about the pics just haven’t had a chance to get them yet
     
  20. Jun 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
    #20
    Chairmanmeow66

    Chairmanmeow66 Well-Known Member

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    I’ve got the stainless upgrade still got to paint them?
     
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