OME Lift / TC UCAs and some crazy caster

So I added 885s, Dakkars, and TC UCAs this weekend and brought it in for an alignment...to Sears (I know shame on me)...and came away with, as can be expected, some pretty disappointing numbers. Now I understand the basics about alignment specs but not much more. I was under the impression that Caster is easily what I should be least worried about; however, with that being said are these extreme numbers something I should be worried about?

 

Caster stayed exactly the same ?

 

Left camber too high

 

Yeah camber should be between zero and -1.0.

I didn't think 3.7 degrees caster was possible stock? Meaning the machine may be out of calibration. And your rear numbers changed which is probably slop in the calibration.

Was your before, before the Ucas?

 

Pre measurements are after the UCA's / lift installed but not aligned I'm pretty certain

 

You are correct; pre is just pre alignment.

I was pretty confused on why there was no change to the caster either.

I'm tempted just to bring it back and have them try again...but then again, maybe they're just incapable.

 

Makes more sense.

 

Are they adjustable uppers? Usually with the lift the factory adjustment runs out of room. Caster won't wear tires so camber should be the priority

 

I'm under the impression they are not, perhaps I am mistaken.

I'm heading to the Caribbean this week but am thinking I'll try the D-I-Y alignment next week and just bring it back to Sears over and over again over the course of the next 6 months for "lazz-er" measurements.

 

No , they aren't adjustable

 

TC UCA's have added caster designed into the arm. They don't say how much but your alignment tech needs to know this

 

Thanks gents. Everything I've found while searching the boards is just a bunch of similar posts to this (i.e. "here's my numbers whats wrong" response "your camber sucks!") Are we looking for something other than factory specs when we make these modifications to our suspension, or is factory spec satisfactory regarding the alignment?

Meaning expect a higher caster...which partially answers my question.

 

I have similar caster numbers as well. I wasn't worried so much about high caster settings as I was the clearance at the rear of the wheel well. Talking with the front end tech, he said that lowering the caster by .5 deg wasn't going to give me much additional clearance and the higher caster wasn't a bad thing for the truck or it's drivability. In fact it drives great and tracks really well

 

I wouldn't mind seeing more positive caster with a lifted truck as long as they were closer to being equal. 1* difference will cause you pulling issues. If the lower control arm eccentric bolts are maxed out then there isn't much they can do with factory parts

 

The Driver Camber needs to be brought in closer to Zero. and the Caster needs to be even'd out on both sides. The high Caster number though is good.

 

That camber may affect tire wear.
My camber is 0.7 and I can tell difference on outer edge vs inner edge of tire after about 9000 miles. Very slight though. It's not enough for me to pay for another alignment.

 

You're response to this question made me have a very obvious epiphany ...

I should of just called y'all; I bought everything down there from you. Thanks for the input.

 

Hey. I'm new to Tacoma's, trucks in general, their suspensions, and aftermarket upgrades for them. However I'm not new to Hunter alignments as that's what we use in my VW dealership. Camber and toe are live readings and caster is calculated. If the tech did not re-sweep to verify caster then the readings will show the same before and after on the print out they gave you. With that much camber and toe adjustment I would expect some kind of caster change. I'm not saying the caster is out of spec but without verifying it wont show on the print out. It looks to me your guy measured, adjusted front camber and toe, and sent you on your way.

 

That would make a good deal of sense. The suspension has settled in a lot since I hit 500 miles on it, so I'm about ready to bring it back in.