HELP! Installed SPC's and now front end is SUPER stiff

A couple days ago I swapped out my UCAs for some SPCs (ran Nitro Gear UCAs before). I have the LCAs maxed out all the way forward and my SPCs set at setting "F". I was trying to get as much room for my 35's as I could.

After I got the SPCs installed, torqued, and greased I went and got an alignment. I took it out and the front end is so incredibly harsh now. feels like the front end is almost rigid and is constantly bouncing like there is zero suspension. Any ideas what it could be?

I have about 35-36psi in the tires and the only thing I changed was the UCAs. Any help would be great! getting beat to death. Thanks!

 

also, caster was close to 4 before and is now closer to 1 (i'd love to have more but also need the clearance) not sure if that has any effect on ride comfort. and sway bar has been connected the whole time.

 

Post alignment numbers.

 

I'm at work and forgot to bring in the print out but the caster is a little above 1 and camber and toe are both right about 0 exactly

 

Need to bump that castor back up to around 3.5-4. It will make a noticeable difference

 

It was actually in the truck! Here it is

 

I think it’s just they are stiff… what lift/spring# do you have and tire rating? My Ironman Foam Cell, 826# springs, E rated tires and SPC uppers are stiff as well. I’m waiting to get lower rated springs to help.

I’m not sure the alignment will get rid of the stiffness, since it sounds like it’s not stiff steering. I could and am probably wrong about that though.

 

I was wondering if that made a difference in how smooth the ride was. the steering hasn't bothered me at all but bouncing down the road like a pogo stick does haha

 

the 6112's and springs were the on the truck before the UCAs and felt stiff but good like they should. Now it just feels like the truck is locked out

 

The increased castor allows the suspension to cycle smoother when you hit little bumps

 

Running same set up no issues here.

 

are you running higher caster numbers than me? Thanks!

 

Yes bro I’m at 4

 

Hmm, I didn’t know this. Mine are around 3, I think.

 

Okay cool, after work ill probably get it on the lift and change the plate setting on the SPC

 

Stick geometry 3-3.5 is fine. But if you think about it as you are moving forward and hit a bump, the increased castor allows the tire to cycle up and back vs straight up. It just allows for a smoother transition from the suspension going from not moving to moving.

 

That does make sense, thanks for sharing. Maybe I’ll have to try and get the caster up a little higher…

 

Have you actually checked the tire pressure since getting the alignment? This guy I used to go to would ask me what PSI I ran and then ensured they were all where they needed to be so he could get the most accurate alignment. Maybe the tech put the pressure way too high because he saw E rated tires.

 

Yeah I did the pressure myself and the alignment guy let me hangout in the shop and watch and he never touched the tires

 

Damn, was hoping it was a simple solution. One time when I got new tires, they put them at 65 psi and the truck rode like a dump truck.