2" install questions

So I'm taking the plunge and having some last minute jitters. I'm installing 884's with OME Nitrochargers and General Spring HD leaf pack this weekend. My biggest concerns are around driveline vibrations and alignment. I've had some alignment issues previously with another truck that took too many times to correct so I'm hesitant to mess with my currently perfect alignment.

So what tips or tricks can TW members offer going into this to help ensure a good alignment? Ae there any common pitfalls? Are there any certain steps to take to get it right?

Im thinking that driveline issues can't be predicted and you don't really know until you have them, but are there any steps I should take here?

Thanks,
Jay

 

New UCA's will allow the alignment shop to definitely get it right. LR UCA's are a popular cheap replacement. Next step up would be a uniball UCA. Vibes seem to be on a truck to truck basis; you won't know until you put it on. You can get the CB drop to help avoid it/fix it. My rear went up about 2". Had the CB drop installed and if I do have vibes, it's either not noticeable or not bad enough for me to notice.

 

installed 884's and cb drop ,wanted a small lift and stay out of New UCA's , I have no vibes, but I'm running BFG Km 2 . Wait till alignment before UCA , might not need them, usually when you go over 2.5" you will need them to get a good alignment . My .02

 

Concur. 2 inches and your alignment should be fine. 2.5-3 and you are looking at new UCAs. Put it in and see if you have vibes. If so, then you can address. Good luck w/ the install.

 

Same here....this I why I chose this lift. It seems the ability to align is based on the quality of the technician doing it. How does the BFG KM's impact the alignment? Is it because they add height?

 

I got a good balance on my tires 1st to eliminate any vibes, tires are very aggressive . Then did alignment, is was good , I did mine at a 4 wheel drive shop. Then tech drove it on interstate at 75 mph he said it was " tight" , then I drove it, it drove like before lift didn't wander all over the road and steered straight . I like the look of 285s, but didn't want to lose mud flaps,cut , bend, whatever to run them ,so I went with the aggressive tire. To me it looks and functions well .

 

Of course I waited to put my rims/tires on until a week before my lift install. I just took it out on the highway today for the first time and noticed a slight shimmy in the steering wheel at 70-75. So now I don't have enough time to have them rebalanced before the install.

 

I have 884s, OME Sport shocks/struts, and a 1.5" AAL - I got about 2" in the front, and have no alignment issues or vibes. And I'm running 265/75/16 BFG ATs with no rubbing or trimming. I see no reason why your 2nd Gen would be any different, although you could get slightly more lift up front than me if yours is not 4x4.

 

So install is complete and wouldn't you know it I got a crappy alignment and a slight driveline hum at 25 mph, WTF.

 

Hum? Does your steering wheel shake? How much lift did you get? Are your unbolts tight on rear axle. I had a slight vib when I did the 1 st lift that's why I installed the cb .

 

The alignment I got was junk. My right front has visible positive camber while my left front has neutral visible camber. The caster is too low so it's got that "follow the groove" feel to it and the camber is slightly high. The driveline vibe isn't too bad, it's more of a mild shudder than a hum from 25-30mph only. When I had the tires put on originally I had some steering wheel shake at 75mph but I hadn't aligned it yet because I was waiting to install the lift. Now that everything is done, my front wheels now feel balanced but I have the driveline vibe. SO I figured I should get the tires re-balanced (hopefully they don't make it worse) to eliminate that and then tackle the alignment and the driveline next. The mechanic couldn't say if he put the same wheel back on the corner he took it off of and I didn't mark them beforehand.

I will check all the u-bolts because I know the tech sprinted through the job. It's possible he could have slipped up here. I haven't taken post-lift measurements yet but I have rake so I know it was more than 2".