SPC Alignments

I just installed Fox 2.5s all around with SPC UCA. I want to run 17x8.5 with either a 0 offset or a -10 offset, wrapped with either 285/275 x 70.

I found a mechanic that says he's the best when it comes to lifts and alignments. He says he does SPC all the time but I took my truck in just to talk to him and it seemed like he had never seen SPC uppers. He was saying you can't really use the UCA to stop rubbing without sacrificing ride quality.

What questions should I be asking or what should I be looking for when searching for an alignment?

I'm located around the Ft. Benning area. I called some of the off road shops in the area and they have never heard of SPC.

 

simply put, i would recommend against getting SPC UCAs installed by someone who hasn't done it successfully yet. at least not if I'm paying for it, that's for damn sure.

also, one of the ways a tire is positioned to eliminate rubbing at the rear of tire after a lift is to increase caster, which moves the tire forward away from the cab. this normally will improve ride quality, especially on road and highway. so, I'm confused by that statement about ride quality. maybe it's because there are several ways to move the tire including working the LCA.

 

I installed them myself. I just want to make sure I get somebody that's knows SPC to do the alignment.

 

If they are willing to listen to your instructions then it doesn’t take a genius to do it. Everyone has to learn eventually.

the breakdown of the process is really quite simple, and you can tell them to do this verbatim and they will understand, even if you don’t totally get it.

1. Max out the positive caster using the lower cam bolts. This moves the wheel as far forward as possible.
   
2. Use the different ball joint positions on the upper to dial your caster in. I prefer to be in the 2-3 degree range which puts the ball joint in the F-G range. Some people like more caster but it doesn’t help you as far as wheel position goes.
3. Use the ball joint slot on the upper to adjust the camber. Get it as close as possible using this slot.
   
4. If necessary, dial in the camber using the lower cam bolts. Only do this as a last resort.
   
5. Adjust your toe. (You may have to revisit other settings after your toe is dialed in.)

 

Always ZERO out your lower cam bolts before installation. Make it much easier when it comes time to align. If you set the caster where it should be. 2.5-3 degrees if would drive great but you would need some inner fender/pinch weld flattening to help. Also, mudflaps will go bye-bye.

 

This is exactly what you need to do.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I've been super busy at work and just now getting around to the alignment. I have the lower cams max out positive. attached is a picture. My question is on the SPC upper, is this the correct position I want this in? This is the driver side and the SPC is facing towards the rear of the vehicle. Making the rounded portion facing towards the front middle of the vehicle and I would be position F.

Thanks guys.

 

Here's a better picture of the passenger side.

 

That does appear to be the F position. Whether or not that's where it needs to be can only be determined by measuring the caster.

 

Last fall I had an alignment shop push my caster forward with the LCA's while I had total chaos UCA's. Now I'm going to have a shop install new SPC's, should I instruct them to do anything specifically? Can I get by without an alignment immediately? (I have about 50k on my tires and have new ones waiting.. but I'd still like to hold off on putting new tires on until maybe this fall. Will I just need to suck it up and get 2 alignments within a relatively short period?)

 

You will definitely want to align it after swapping your UCA. Do you need to change your UCA now? Why not just hold off until you are ready to put the new tires on?

Regarding the SPC - you still want to have them push the caster all the way forward with the LCA's. With the SPC's, you can then dial in the final caster and camber numbers without having to touch the lowers. This is the methodology: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/spc-alignments.663440/#post-23240931

 

Thank you! I'm swapping out the UCA's because total chaos's sound like Santa's sleigh going down the road now, even with routine greasing and a rebuild once already. They gotta go. I might just get the new tires on within the next week

 

A shop installed mine today but this gap seems off. Is that how it should look?

 

That's right. There is a metal bushing in there that keeps that gap open.

 

Good to hear. Thanks for your help!

 

Just to give you more confidence...

 

Do they stay quiet despite picking up some surface rust?

 

No noises to report here. Honestly that rust was a little surprising given where I live.

 

Sorry for continuing to hijack your thread OP... I’m curious what everyone’s thoughts are on these specs. When viewed head on it seems like my tires tilt inwards towards the top. Does chamber look reasonable?