Alignment question RE: camber

FYI, first lifted truck here, so if this is normal, just say so...

So I installed Bilstein 5100s all around last week. I took the truck into Firestone for an alignment. The guy behind the counter talks me into the lifetime alignments if I am going to be changing the suspension around multiple times throughout my ownership of the truck. Sounds good.

Once they are done with the alignment, they show me the numbers and the camber of the front left tire is not in the green (just outside green). He proceeds to tell me that they will not even attempt to fix the camber issue, as there is no way to fix this on a lifted truck. Normal?

 

Normal if you go to the autistic lawnmower mechanics at places like Firestone who are only capable of doing what the alignment computer tells them. Camber can be corrected by installing some new upper control arms.

 

Try your local off road guys for your alignment needs. That's what they do. Find the shops that specialize in off road vehicles and all drive jacked up badass trucks/jeeps/landcruisers.

 

Seems like I need the adjustable UCA

 

what setting are your 5100's at? on the middle setting (1.57"), you should be able to get a proper alignment. if you have it on the top setting (2.25"), you might need aftermarket UCA's, but most don't need UCA's until they get to 2.5-3.0" of lift.

 

Alignment problems with billies? Like @Netmonkey said you shouldn't need UCA's unless you go up to 2.5-3" of lift.

I'd go to a local 4 wheel shop and if you can't get out of the lifetime alignment deal, bring the 4 wheel shop alignment sheet to them every time

 

So a 6 inch lift will need an adjustable UCA?

 

undoubtedly with enough of a lift on the suspension....some 6" lifts come with spacers, some with spindles to achieve proper height.

some just use spacers (dangerous) and won't need UCA's.

doesn't necessarily have to be "adjustable" just an aftermarket UCA that allows for wheel travel with such a big lift.

 

Best answer I have received so far.
First truck and getting used to the difference

Any dealer / shop / link / item number to the UCA I will need?

Am on a RC 6 inch lift, replaced the front spacers with struts, 20 x 35 wheels.

This is my kit and recent alignment - pulling left with the ghastly \ / in front wheels

 

@Les7311 I'd say stay away from RC! good price point but not the best quality. Quality is what you really want when lifting your truck! Do it right the first time!

I'd go BDS with Fox coilovers. Quite a bit more, but good quality. I'm not well versed in other lifts but @Hattori can help!

Toytec has some good UCA's, as do Icon and Camburg.

I'll be getting some Toytec SPC UCA's somtime in the future.

 

Hey @Les7311 i agree with @Law323 i came into tundra world blind...i bought a used '14 CM that came with a lift on it... a RC 6" believe me its rough alright stay away from a spacer lift you'll feel every bump n get whiplash n your neck!!! Yeah spacer lift looks cool but not good for off-roading very limited shock travel remember these our opinions its really up to you what you wanna do with your ride and how ya gonna use it good luck with your endeavor check out Toytec.com (boss kit) or fabtech.com believe the 4" kit or you can do coach builder shackles rear n shims up front

 

The shop I went to blindly days after buying truck suggested RC so I paid to get kit and 35's installed.
I went for the 6 inches lifted height look ( prob won't go off-roading), andsnow in Maryland.
I will be comfortable once this alignment issue is resolved

Plan to rotate fronts to see if still pull to left

 

That's a joke. I was a Firestone mechanic long ago. A good or even decent alignment guy can get you set up right pretty easily.

I just leveled the front of my truck with the toytec boss coilovers and was able to get my camber to 0.0 and caster to 2.5. I'd like to have more caster but that's all I can get without control arms.

 

You shouldn't need uca's because you have new spindles. Would definitely help but you don't NEED them

 

Mines at 2 inches up front and the guy got it in at 0 camber and 2.6 caster.

 

You mean / \ ?

 

I read almost all the 77 pages in the tundra link about alignment.
I am spooked learning a truck. am great on cars, not truck., much less a lifted truck.

I have a \ /, and pulling to the left.
Some say I do, some say I don't need an adjustable UCA

 

Does \ / mean you think you have positive camber? If so, it doesn't look like it to me from the pictures you provided, then again, it's hard to tell from just looking at it.
What size lift are you running? Anything around 2.5 and above it is needed. Mines lifted 2 inches and doesn't need them. I have 0 degrees camber and 2.6 caster. If I wanted more caster I could get UCAs but it really isn't needed.
As far as pulling, that could be from a lot of things including tire pressure. Here where I live, all of the roads are on a slant for some reason so my truck is always pulling to the passenger side until I get out of town and onto level roads.
If it's bothering you, just get the alignment checked.

 

Am on a 6 inch RC lift

Rotated front tires yesterday and still pulls to left so not radial pull.

The tires looks like a bow legged when looking at it .... if that's what you mean

 

They probably made your camber go negative to get your caster in spec. If you don't get UCA's, it's probably better to get your camber to 0 to 0.2 and just have your caster out of spec.

 

As I'm trying to get educated on alignment specs I decided to take a closer look at the printout I received after having my alignment done this past Monday. This was after installing 6112 and SPC UCA. 6112 on top setting with 1/2 inch shim (measured just over 3" lift up front). My truck drives straight and feels good but I just noticed several out of spec readings. Am I reading this correctly? I'd expect to see more green. Dealership told me everything was good!

 

I'm just learning about all this as well. This helped me out
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4

From what I've heard, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but sometimes you need some of your specs slightly out of whack to track straight. This is the reason tire rotations are a must.

 

@jberry813 would be the guy to ask. He's been busy though dropping hammers over at Tacoma World.

 

Spoke with toytek and they can't guarantee me installing the SPC UCA wil correct camber or pull. Grrrr

 

Great article, thank you for sharing!

 

I just put a set of billy 5100s on (top setting) with new wheels and tires. Tires have a slightly more aggressive offset than stock (+25). I just took in for an alignment. They put it spot on perfect. +.1 or +.2 camber with a caster setting in the 2.5 to 3 range. with toe set at .08 on both sides. Dead center of the green on the measurements

 

@Netmonkey I see you are running 295/55 on what appears to be factory 20's. Did you have to make any adjustments to run that size with the 5100's on middle setting? I plan on taking out my 1.5" front spacer and installing the 5100's whenever it is time for a tire change and want to go with 285 or 295 on my factory 20's. Thanks in advance.

 

With the 5100's set at middle (1.57") setting, I only had to remove the little front spat. no other adjustments or modifications were required. you can check out my build thread for pictures of how much clearance is left.