UCA's and Alignment

You're is a 3rd gen so I'm not 100% sure, but I think what you want is...

O camber and toe
2.5 (or more?) Caster.

I feel too much caster from ucas pushes the wheel too far back. With just the right amount I think you can avoid the cmc.

 

Thought I’d ask in this thread and see if I can get more input. I read that ideal caster should be around 2.4. Would I be able to change the caster setting myself since I know where it is now?

Original thread is in the quote.
Thanks

 

No because one thing affects other things on the fronts of these trucks. If you mess with the caster cam it does change caster but also camber. And vice-versa, and both will change the toe. So don't mess with it unless you are able to do DIY alignments, or just take it to some place. I can also tell you that at the factory only toe is set. Caster and camber are only adjusted by placing the alignment cams in their approximate mid way position, and that almost always gives "in the green zone" because the Toyota specs are very, very broad. They may be far from ideal but still be "in the green".

 

Thanks. Guess I'll have to find a shop that knows how to do alignments with aftermarket UCA.

 

Here’s a silly question, does it matter if you have a full tank or empty?? What’s Recommended or does it even make a difference?

 

That's a good question, consider if you have a full 18 gallon tank it would be around 144 lbs at 8 lbs per gallon. Depending on your suspension that can put you almost half an inch lower at the rear. I had my alignment checked at almost a full tank.

 

.......a long time ago it was common to place weight in the driver's seat and x amount of fuel in the tank. Occasionally today you run across someone who does this but the official Toyota procedure does not require such.

 

Instead, the FSM wants one to check the ride height and makes this note about balast:

NOTICE:
• Perform the inspection while the vehicle is
empty (without spare tires or tools on board).

 

I think half tank is a good and I used that. I think it's more common than all full or all the way empty.

 

As you all know I have a 3rd gen but I can’t seem to get a straight answer about a diff drop

This is without the diff drop, do I need one on?

 

I don't think so, your angles don't look bad. The CV angles on our trucks are not bad and the diff drop solves a problem that doesn't exist imo.

 

Thanks !! I feel more at peace.

 

Took my truck back to the alignment shop and told them to up my caster. He said they were able to up the caster without having to adjust my SPC UCA, they adjusted using the LCA or somewhere on the bottom part of the suspension. He said it was best because if they adjusted the SPC UCA I would have to go negative to bring it away from the fender pinch weld, negative caster was not recommended. Would this work without having to adjust the SPC UCA? I guess what I'm asking is would I have been able to get more caster adjustment, clearance from the pinch weld/fender, if they would of adjusted the SPC UCA?

As of now it doesn't rub at all under normal driving and reverse.




At a slight turn, the edge of the tires are about an inch from the pinch weld/fender.

 

I think that's perfect. That's what I did as well although I have stock ucas. If you dial in caster at the uca it brings the wheel back and almost necessitates the cmc. When they use the lca for caster there is less rubbing. I think it sounds like you got it pretty darn good.

 

So what is the benefit of having adjustable UCA then? Is it to bring it back to 0 degrees when you install a lift?I’m new to this so can someone school me.

 

Well I think often times they can't get enough caster adjustment and need to gain more with the uca. You can get a lot more caster with the uca. You can get some with the lca but not as much and u have to have a good alignment shop that can balance that with camber since they can affect each other.

 

I know nothing about UCAs. But, just got lifted and got the UCAs done too.

Holy cow the truck steers better, doesn’t get caught in grooves, etc. steering does what I want and i never feel like I’m fighting.

Previously always aligned by Toyota. This time a 3rd party truck specific place. Have never asked for the alignment sheet so can’t comment in that regard.

 

Keeping the thread going.
Lift: 2.5 with TC UCA

 

Got to ask ya, how does it drive with those numbers?

 

Drives pretty well. Seams to pull a tiny bit to the right. Was not confident in the tech that was working on it so I'll be going back in to another shop to try and bring the toe in.