Lift + stock UCA limitations?

Camber was in spec, not ideal but dosent cause problems, slight wander at hwy speed. Lots of guys run stock UCAs.

 

Caster effects how the wheel returns to center, in my case it was slightly negative so mine pulled a bit to the right. Again, most guys and any good tire place can get you aligned on stock UCAs within factory specs minus caster. Tire wear would be negligible at best.

Wheel alignment caster
The caster is a bit harder to visualize than camber and toe. The caster is the angle formed by a line through the pivot points of the wheel, compared to vertical. We think of the caster angle, viewing the wheel from the side. If the upper pivot point is directly above the lower pivot, the wheel has zero degrees of caster.

With a positive caster the upper pivot point is closer to the rear of the vehicle than the lower pivot. A negative caster is the upper pivot closer to the front of the vehicle than the lower pivot point. We set nearly all modern vehicles with a positive caster. In the past, they use a negative caster on a few vehicles, to lower steering effort.



A positive vehicle caster angle works similarly to a caster wheel on a cart. The pivot line of the wheel contacts the floor, in front of the wheel’s centerline. With the positive caster angle, the wheel follows the direction in which we push it. This causes the wheels of our car to track straight and return to center when turned.

Why a negative caster pulls
Tilting the axis of pivots on the spindle, causes the end of the spindle to rise or fall when we rotate it. When we turn the wheel out from the center, we push the weight of the vehicle up. By turning in, we allow the weigh of the vehicle to fall. This force causes the wheel to naturally toe in.



Because the weight of the vehicle causes the wheels to turn to the inside, the side with the least caster exerts the least force. This means that the wheels naturally turn toward the side with the least caster angle. We say a vehicle pulls toward the more negative caster angle.

The caster by itself does not cause tire wear, but the caster angle can cause the toe to change. With a more positive caster angle, the wheels will toe in. An insufficient or excessive caster angle can cause toe wear, even with the toe set to specifications.

The caster also affects the camber. Because of the caster angle, the wheels lean when rotated off the center. This is why we adjust the caster angle to specifications, before we adjust camber or the toe.

Because the caster is not a severe wear angle, we use it to make a vehicle drive straight. By varying the caster, within the specifications, we can make a vehicle pull to one side or the other. This is handy when allowing for road conditions.

 

I'm aware of what caster is and how it affects drivability. You describe your out of spec caster, less than ideal camber and slight wander at highway speeds as "no problems". Those are the exact PROBLEMS that people avoid with aftermarket control arms.

 

The pull was so hardly noticeable. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

I'm guessing you have never driven a lifted Tacoma with aftermarket control arms that has a PROPER alignment?

IF so, you didn't notice a difference in the way the vehicle handled?

 

Fair enough I havent, was only an airman so didnt have the extra dough to throw around. I will agree and assume it rides better.

 

0 toe 0 camber 4 degrees caster

 

Pick some up UCA's on black friday!

 

We will see. I have been bleeding money lately and definitely feeling the stress.

 

I feel you on that lol. Hopefully the lift will be my last big project for a bit. Next is bed rack. Definitely needed for camping on padre island national seashore.

 

The struggle is real

 

guys I have a question if u can help, these are on ebay 301639638513. they are bilsteins 5100 can I use these with the ome 885 or 886 coils? on my 05? thanks for any help.u can copy and paste the item number and itl take u to them on ebay I'm sure u know that but just in case.and that's a pertyu good price on them too isn't it from what ive seen?

 

Yes, you can.

 

thank u for letting me know, do you think that is a good deal on the 5100s or is it perty normal from what you have seen?any idea where best place to buy the ome 885 at?

 

No, that's too expensive. Look at wheelers off-road or headstrong off-road for the shocks. Pm member @Anzy for the coils. He beat everybody's price when I ordered mine. He may even carry the shocks too.

 

Camping on padre island? Tell me you are not camping in the summer!

 

So what's the magic number of lift height before the alignment is off? 2.25"? 2"?

 

There really isn't one. Some guys supposedly have great specs at 3" with stock UCAs. Others are fuckered.

I would generally say that it's a crap shoot above 1.75", but my truck didn't drive much different at that height either so who knows.

As the old standby goes, every truck is different.

 

oh ok awesome thank u very much I really appreciate the help I get on here, its priceless to me thank u