(SOLD) CanisLupus 2011 Tacoma Build

I just wish there was more spots closer to VA.

 

Very true

I will probably drive up to Rausch if there is another wheeling trip and I'm free.

Matt

 

didnt mean it like that, was just saying

 

Just lurkin through coming along nicely!

 

Nah I gotcha

Thanks! Your truck is looking sweet as well!

Matt

 

OP, you still running the 265/75 km2s? I'm a huge BFG fan and I love that these are slightly larger than most 265s-and they look it.

 

Yep, still running the 265/75's. They have done well for me and fill out the wheel wells nicely.

My next set of tires (255/85/16 KM2's) are actually sitting in my basement waiting till these wear out.

Matt

 

Wasted $95 at Firestone on Wednesday trying to get my alignment back in spec, as it got knocked further out of spec after the wheeling trip. They apparently don't have the right software that can do more custom specs outside of stock numbers, so they got as good as they could get it, but the numbers were still crap.

Now my truck is making a good amount of knocking and clicking when turning and such, which I assume has something to do with the alignment since it happened right after the alignment.

I am dropping it off at a local shop on Monday that specializes more in lifted trucks so hopefully they can get it at least closer to the specs that I want. I had initially avoided taking it here first since they charge about $60 more than somewhere like Firestone, but these other shops are not cutting it. They got my brother's truck pretty well aligned so hopefully they can get mine right too.

Matt

 

You taking it to that high tech place? When I got my ucas on they did a good job aligning it for me. How much is the alignment? Ask if they have any deals like x amount for alignments for x years or something? If they do let me know. NTB only gets my #s in spec for stock application, but its usually not too bad.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna take it to High Tech...they only do one time alignments unfortunately, no year deals or anything.

I actually just remembered I have two $25 gift cards for High Tech (can't combine them unfortunately) and a $20 referral card. I could give the referral card to you if you wanted to try them for an alignment and you could save a little bit.

I think they charge about $140 plus tax. A little on the high side, but if they can get my alignment right, I will gladly pay it.

Matt

 

Nah mine is ok for now thanks though. Just keep it for next time. They seem like pretty nice guys and from the vehicles sitting outside they look like they know what they're doing. They would be your best bet to dial it in.

 

Join some insured off road clubs and go to The Cove. Check out Off-Camber Crawlers. That's a pretty fun club, nad they make a few trips to the cove each year. They actually have one coming up in June. not sure on the exact date, but it's coming up quick.

what kind of "custom" numbers are you trying to hit. their machine measures, that's all, so they should know how to ad more castor or take away camber. i think you probably just went to a bad firestone, or got one of their dumber techs.

 

Trying to get 0* toe, 3* caster, and 0* camber. They told me something along the lines of their software predetermined numbers off of stock specs, and they couldn't get the caster and camber I wanted without knocking the toe out or vice versa.

I don't know enough about alignments to know if they were bullshitting me so I just said forget it and told them to get it as close as possible. I even scheduled this appointment so that one of their "master techs" who knew how to do custom alignments was working

Matt

 

all they do is type in your vehicle information, and it displays the ranges that the three categoreys need to be within for that vehiclke. would like what you wanted (even though it's a good set of numbers) was out of their "range", meaning they don't wnat to be liable for intentionally setting it out of factory spec. the machine only gives them information, it doesn not determine their ability to manipulate the alignment.

that's why i got the lifetime alignment through them. i'll just keep coming back every day until they give me the numbers i want. and since they are not getting payed each time i come back, it's worth it for them to give me what i want the first time. hopefully this next place you're going can take care of you.

 

Well, the first time I went there, they said they can't do custom specs with lowered/lifted vehicles, so I left. The guy called back and said he spoke to his manager and that if there was a tech that could do it, they could try and get the numbers I wanted, they just couldn't "guarantee how the vehicle would ride."

That's why I went back, because I thought they were ok with me waiving their liability. Maybe the tech there just wasn't good…

I was going to pay their one time payment (with a discount they gave me) if they couldn't get the right numbers, or the lifetime price if they could. Maybe I will try another Firestone in the future to try and get the lifetime deal. Especially since I don't know how you guys do it with wheeling all the time. I knocked mine out of spec just doing mild wheeling (although maybe I didn't choose a good line somewhere and hit something harder than I should've…)

Matt

 

i generally overtorque my LCA bolts a little. you risk getting some bushing squeak, but it hold the alignment better. I also make good use of my lifetime alignment. got 7 alignments the first year i had it. I also only worry about it if the camber is off. I can deal with my camber being a little out, and i can adjust the tie rods myself to recenter the steering wheel if the toe is actually out though, i bring it in. Check out the fireston in Mclean, on RT 123, and Emerson. right before you hit Old Dominion Dr. they were able to take care of mine after wrecking my alignment at Rausch Creek a couple times

 

Yeah I've heard they are pretty good with alignments but they are semi-far from me so I was going to try this place by me first. I'll try McLean if they can't get it, thanks.

Matt

 

Also an update on the Pelfrey bumper. Should be here the first week of June and I should be able to paint it that week. Shooting to maybe install it the first weekend of June if some of the NoVa members are available then.

Matt

 

Looking forward to seeing the bumper.

 

Me too

I really really hope High Tech can get my alignment in spec on Monday. I'm so sick and tired of the wandering, clunks, clangs, and off camber tires...

Matt