Alignment help after lift

Hey Guys

So I just installed a set of FOX 2.5 Factory Series Coil-overs with Remote Reservoirs and set of Total Chaos UCA's on my 12 Access Cab TRD OR. I have BFG TA's 265/7516's mounted on Method Double Standard's with 0mm offset and 4.5" backspace.

After having the truck aligned, the truck has very sluggish steering. It drives straight in the road, doesn't wander, but it is very hard to initiate tuns.

In looking at my alignment numbers, it looks like my caster is quite high: 4.2 but it was they best they said they could do. Is this what is causing my steering issue?

Should I just tell take the truck back to the alignment shop and tell them to aim for caster in the 2.4 to 2.8 range?

Thanks for the help!

Edit: I forgot to add that Fox pre-set the coilovers to level the truck, so 2" lift

 

Your UCA adds 2 deg of caster by moving the uniball rearward. This moves the whole tire rearward as you reduce caster. I'd try to go for 3.0 per side to avoid issues in the future if you get larger tires. If you go 2.5 you will hit a cab mount post chop with a 33" tire. Oh and yes... high caster gives heavy steering... a tendency to stay on center.

 

Why did he leave the caster specs off? With those control arms he should have been able to get them to specs. Was the eccentric bolt maxed out?

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

So should I just go back and tell them to aim for 3.0 for caster? I'd love to have the option to throw 285's on at some point.

 

Yes. I had my caster around 3.9 and realigned it closer to 2.7-3.0 range and it is much better. I would have them get your camber closer to 0 as well.

 

Your springs will settle with age. That will reduce camber. Get camber positive but as close as possible to zero. This means 0.1 to 0.2 and your toe is perfect as road force will stretch the toe negative while driving. Toe should be 0.01 to 0.02 positive.

 

Did you give your suspension time to settle in before the alignment?

 

The alignment was done right after the parts were installed.

How long do I let it settle? A couple days? A week?

 

I waited 2 days. 2.5 degree caster was too little. Went back for 3+ caster a week later and it had already settled by .1 degrees on one side and .2 on the other for camber.