Dealership for Alignment?

So I just installed my 6112's and coachbuilder shackles and I guess I need an alignment.

There are too many shady and untrustworthy mechanics in NY so I am thinking of going to the dealership for the Alignment.

Will they know they best alignment specs for my truck now that it is lifted? Should I go the dealership route?

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

 

Went to dealership for mine after I installed my suspension (3”) they did a good job.

 

Good to hear. Another question
Will the alignment be the same whether I have my stock wheels/tires or aftermarket wheels/ bigger tires on?
I’m waiting to install my aftermarket set once I get them mounted balanced

 

I took this from another forum. If that's not allowed please chastise me. I would only go to a dealer if you can talk to the alignment tech. Toyota's alignment specs are pretty broad, I had excessive tire wear while in the "green" on all numbers. Fortunately, my son in law is a mechanic, so I was in the garage with him while he did the alignment. We used this for guidance. My best alignment was close to the recommendations for stock. Caster fell in the mid 2 something. I have 5100's on the top setting. If I get a chance I'll post the printout.

STOCK TRUCKS:
Camber: +.1 degree camber on both sides.
Caster: As much as possible without sacrificing +.1 degree camber or causing a cross caster pull.
Toe: +.12 degrees per side for a total toe of +.24 degrees. (some guys have had to drop toe to +.04 to +.5 per side/+.08 to +.10 total toe)

LIFTED TRUCKS:
Same As Above ... BUT if you have wheels that have more negative offset than foctory wheels, increase the camber to +.2 degrees. (or even +.3 degrees if they just can't get there with the amount of adjustment allowed by the eccentrics) Adjustable upper control arms are available for cases where there just isn't enough adjustment left in the eccentrics to get a decent alignment. Although they are expensive, most guys with lifts have a lot of $$$ invested in tires so you need to make a judgement call.

LOWERED TRUCKS:
Guys that lower trucks tend to want it to handle the road like a Lambo so I'll give two recommendations. One for improved handling and one for improved tire wear.
Emphasis On Handling:
Camber: 0 to -.1 degree (watch for inside tire wear)
Caster: As much as humanly possible. Caster causes the front tires to lean into the turn. Installing adjustable upper control arms to increase caster can really make it stick in turns. High positive caster can make it follow ruts/imperfections in the road and cause it to creep toward "full lock" after turning half way to the locks.
Toe: +.12 per side for a total toe of +.24 degrees.
Emphasis on tire wear:
Camber: 0 to +.1 degree.
Caster: As much as possible. It won't affect tire wear and we tend to have a hard time getting good caster unless we use drop spindles.
Toe: +.12 degrees for a total toe of +.24 degrees.

 

look up an alignment shop local to you on yelp. Make sure they do lifted trucks.

 

I've used Big O Tire and Les Schwab, happy with both.

 

I took mine to the dealership after installing my 5100's. I had specs much the same as the ones @JMB posted. I called to schedule the appointment and asked if they could align to those specs and the SA said no problem. When I got there my SA had the tech meet me and looked over my numbers and said no problem as well and he was familiar with lifted trucks. Alignment turned out great and only cost me $80.00, which i thought was pretty fair considering that it's a dealership.

 

Take it to a reputable lift shop in your area since they deal with lifted trucks IMO

 

@TheBeast there are no alignment shops on my area.
@Grumpy Uncle on the east coast we don't have those chains. We have something similar but the quality of work is horrible. They have such bad reputations for doing shoddy work and sometimes charging for work not performed.

I'm planning on giving the dealer a call to see if they will align with the specs posted above.

 

Last week I took my truck to local TireDiscounters store because it’s closer to home than dealership I purchased from plus they had a 1 year plan for unlimited alignments for $99. Great deal I thought. They attempted to align my truck twice in 2 days ( 2 hours first day and 1 hour second day) but it still pulled to the right. Took it to the dealership just now and they fixed alignment in 45 mins. Needless to say I’m about to stop by TireDiscounters for a refund.

 

Same here, did the same thing i took mine to DTC and jacked it up , thy couldnt get my steering wheel straight it was all the way to the right no matter what they did, took it to the dealership, big ass difference, its like new, live and learn , imo.

 

@JMB if you get a chance can you post the printout?

 

So my dealership alignment didn't turn out well. Told the service advisor I wanted to speak with the tech before alignment. Never happened, they brought out my truck and said it was done. They gave me some half ass printout of the alignment.
I would've started in right there but needed to catch my breath and calm down. I was also fasting and starving. Came home made a phone call and I am going back tomorrow.

They also forgot to do my annual inspection.

I really have no luck with dealerships.

 

What was wrong with the alignment?

 

That sucks, bro. Sorry to hear that. I hope at least the steering wheel is straight and true. Sometimes they F’ed that up during the alignment.

 

Unless you have a personal relationship with the technicians avoid dealerships at all costs.

The best case scenario is they do what you want correctly.

The worst case scenario is, well you get the idea...

 

Heres the alignment printout. Steering wheel is straight, the only good thing that cam from today.

 

I'm in New Orleans right now but can post it on Sunday when I'm home. Sorry to hear the struggle

 

@nowayout, dont know if this will help you or not but these are the specs I went off of when I spoke to the tech that did my alignment. This was immediately after installing 5100's on the middle setting.

And these were my numbers after alignment...

 

Where’s all the numbers? Lol. You need to get your money back. That’s some booshit.

 

Right? Fook these guys. Im going back tomorrow ready to brawl lol. They also scratched my stock wheel and chipped two spots on the new wheels. Where is the pride in work and professionalism. NY sucks! I really need to move west where people treat people kindly.

@duece292 thats a big help. It looks like the numbers @JMB recommended

 

No dice. I guess I need to find another shop. Gave him the numbers that everyone has posted. Trucks that have more lift up front than me and he says he can't get it to those numbers. I asked for my money back and they said no to that also. So if anyone ever reads this from NY, avoid Riverhead Toyota.

They also said they didn't scratch my wheel meanwhile my wheels weren't scratched before I brought it to them.

 

I've heard good things about RMS Offroad in Bohemia and the truck shop in Sayville (no personal experience!!!)

 

as we say here in SoCal..FTP! fuck those putos

 

Heres the final numbers from a reputable shop in town. Tire Country in Riverhead.