What’s with these alignment specs?

Toyota says it’s normal and I don’t know what I’m looking at. These are my alignment specs after an Eibach lift. Am I OK?

 

Stock UCA’s

 

How high are you lifted? Stock UCAs don't give much adjustment once you modify the suspension. You may need an aftermarket UCA like the JBAs or SPCs.

 

It’s only 2”. Don’t think many here have used aftermarket UCA’s with this kit. The tech said it looks off on paper because of the lift, but he assured me it was within spec. Just doesn’t make sense to me.

 

explanations don't matter here, that's a miserable alignment and you need aftermarket UCA's. and happy new year.

 

At minimum I’d get some aftermarket UCAs, all the decent ones will add some caster. If you want it dead nuts on, get some adjustable ones (I always use SPC). Then go to a shop that knows how to adjust with upper adjustable arms. Most don’t have a clue when you tell them your upper arms are adjustable too.

 

agree, and SPC's offer excellent adjustability, but word to the wise, they must be setup by someone who knows how to deal with SPC's.... they have their own setup process. many fails happen from not knowing how to deal with SPC's.

 

Seems like it's time to find a better shop, for an alignment. If you can find an alignment/frame shop. Don't know whom did that alignment? I'm at 2" and my caster is 2.0 on stock uppers.

 

it's also true to say that caster isn't simply for clearance. low caster affects driveability, moreso as speeds increase. as a high speed driver the value for higher caster is big over here. 2 absolutely sucks compared to 4+ if we're talking about driving dynamics.

 

You can easily get 2.5 caster with stock ucas, I hope you didn't pay for that guy to literally only adjust the toe on one side, and not even a good job at that.

 

I have 4.25° caster on mine with a 2.5" lift and 305/70R16s and mine rides like a dream compared to 2° caster. I can imagine how much worse it could be with virtually no caster at all.

 

that’s what I don’t understand. It drives like it did stock.

 

They could pull some of that positive camber out to get caster up. I bet the truck drives like it’s on wagon wheels. Also cross caster numbers should be closer or it will pull.

 

I brought it back to toyota. We’ll see what kind of numbers I get this time around. Can someone explain why I want more caster.

 

On the highway do you get a slight drift to the right when you take your hands off the wheel?

By those numbers I'd say the tech either didn't care , didn't know or there is something real screwy in your suspension...

My bet is didn't care and didn't know.

It's not because it's a dealer, it's the tech. So have a look around for an alignment shop or one of the techs that will follow instructions.

After a 1.5" lift on 8112's with the Med-Heavy springs and stock control arms, I specified;
0 toe, 0 Camber +1.4+ Caster on left (max it out), Left Caster +.4+ on right side (get as much as you can on both).
Marked settings on the cams before the lift and set back to that before it went to alignment...
I had a Toyota Tech that cared and knew what he was doing...


You'll see how little a 1.5" lift affected the stock numbers on the top readings.

On the bottom readings you'll see how close a GOOD tech can get the numbers.
Yes he got the numbers exact with stock control arms.

So don't let that Toyota tech fool you, and you don't have to have aftermarket control arms to get much better numbers.

Take it to a better alignment shop, and then see what your best numbers can be before you consider the expense of control arms.

 

I'm at 4.1 both sides and yes, this is the zone on this truck, 4-5. on most setups for highway+ speeds... drives like an absolute dream.

exactly. stock drives like shit. you won't know unless you change it... and are an engaged driver i suppose.

 

Just left. The tech was very helpful and admitted that he didn’t try much adjustment the first time because he saw it was lifted and thought it’d be futile. Here’s the current numbers.

 

that's good that's he stepped up. this is decent if you just want the stock drive. i wouldn't want that alignment for any kind of good driving or performance, but for a stock drive you're fine. happy new year.