Feedback on Alignment specs / minimal caster

2010 TRD 4x4 AT/6.

Installed Bilstein 6112 (~1.5" lift I think)/5160 and OME EL111R springs (2.75" lift). 265/70/17.

I had an alignment done yesterday at a place I picked from Yelp/Google reviews. Loads of + reviews. They do a lot of work on custom cars. I'm pretty confident these guys know there stuff.

The results came back as in the image. Caster is the problem. The receptionist (who seemed knowledgeable, I think an owner) said UCAs are required to get the caster in spec. She said the current setting will not cause the tires to wear improperly, but will impact handling. I read up on the handling and you already know the issue. I drove the truck 1,500 miles after the suspension installation and before the alignment and all seemed just fine to me. No complaints. After the alignment it seems fine too, but I've only driven 5 miles. You can see the before/after caster is not all that different.

1.) Is it true that I don't have to worry about tire wear? What about other parts wearing?

2.) The min/max specifications shown seem to conflict with info I've seen in the forum. Others speak of ~3.0 as being correct. Should I really be closer to 3.0?

3.) (I'm really clueless on this one) If I install UCAs designed for a 2" lift, how is there a range of heights that work? Such as 1"-3" lift? I would consider less expensive UCAs, but not junk. Any suggestions? This truck won't be rock-crawling. More like some exuberant fire trails in the mountains and taking on some more complex challenges now and then.

 

If you are going to stick with the 2.75" lift in the front, you need aftermarket UCA's to get more caster, and also to keep your UCA from banging on the coil spring at droop. Most TW members want more caster to move larger tires away from the cab mount, to minimize rubbing. A lot of people (me included) like the drive feel of more caster. You will have to decide what you like. A simple google search will explain the driving difference with more or less caster.
If you get aftermarket UCA's, I recommend SPC Light Racing for price and adjustability, but you will have to find a shop that deals with SPC or learn about it yourself and set it close before you take it in for alignment.
These threads are helpful:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...driving-report-with-light-racing-ucas.158795/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-do-an-alignment-at-home.252256/

Post a few pics of your UCA and the angle of your CV axle at ride height. Also measure from center of wheel to top of fender well so we can confirm how much lift you have. You may be in for more issues if you leave it like it is now.

 

The front should be lifted 1.50 to 1.75".

Distance from center of wheel to fender: 22.5"
Distance from top of tire to fender: 7.0". (265/70/17)

Hopefully these pics work. I'm out of touch over the next few days, but will follow up then if not sooner.

 

bump

 

My truck has 2.5 inches of.lift. and I'm 22.5 center hub to fender I started at 20. I needed ucas to get more caster. .9 caster is not enough. I have 4 degrees of caster.

 

Very helpful. Do you have the stock tire size? Mine are one inch taller than stock.

 

Im running 265 75 16s right now since they are studded ATS for winter they're coming off this weekend and I'm puttingy 285 70 17s mud tires back on.

 

Post photos of your lca cams

 

I had to Google "lca cam." hope this is correct.

 

you can move the cam out a little further. Looks like its at the 1 o’clock position. You can move it to the 3 o’clock position. See if that changes the caster enough to get into spec.

you should be fine if you’re just worried about tire wear. Toe and camber looks good.

 

I quit wrenching much about a decade ago...always a motorcycle guy. However, your feedback is very helpful and greatly appreciated. At least you don't see anything WAY OUT OF WHACK and problematic.

 

I see your tires are exactly the same height as mine. I always thought mine seemed higher than 1.5" and it probably is.

 

This was mine last week with stock UCA's and about 2.25" lift in front. I'm going back this Thursday for an adjustment because the truck is pulling slightly to the right. Overall I think it drives pretty good, better than before, but my numbers are nowhere near what people on here are recommending. I don't think that will happen without aftermart UCA's which I just don't want to do right now.

 

I just put ~200 miles on mine on/off road (desert) and it drives fine.

 

Is there any reason that the caster shouldn’t be better than this? 2018 Tacoma OR 4x4 with 3” RC lift stock wheels 265 75/16 tires 1” wheel spacers