Something’s off…

Howdy! I was installing a skid plate yesterday when I noticed that I have a couple of parts making contact where it shouldn’t. I won’t waste my time trying to state the actual name of the components bc I know I’ll get it wrong.

Looks like the bottom component has been hitting a piece of the lower control arm, they don’t look aligned properly. And it’s happening on both sides.

I’ve recently installed the suspension from a ‘22 TRD Pro (fox) and I have a ‘23 TRD off road.

I appreciate any help in advance, thanks!

 

Those are your steering stops. If you deviate from any sort of “OEM” geometry, things are no longer going to strike properly.

 

Thanks for the info. Should I be looking to make some sort of adjustments?

 

Have you had the vehicle aligned post suspension install? Are coils you installed modified in any way?

 

@BiggHertz The vehicle has been aligned, although I scheduled another visit since I’m not pleased with the camber outcome (1.2, 1.4) respectively. The Coils have a Westcott collar and spacer installed, rears with a 1” spacer.

 

Do you happen to have your alignment print out handy?

 

@BiggHertz Here you go. 1.2, 1.1 not 1.4. Thanks

 

so yeah, the tech is chasing numbers they might not be able to hit. Especially the caster figure, when lifting the truck the geometry changes and a lose positive caster, this shifts the vertical axis forwards which changes the relationship between the knuckle/lower ball joint mount and the integrated steering stops of the LCA as the alignment values change through the steering sweep.

this is a grossly oversimplified explanation. Now to further compound this, the additional lift afforded by the wescott lift components exacerbates this by adding additional geometry changes that wasn’t necessarily designed into the suspension system.

do you have aftermarket after control arms?

This could help in getting some adjustability in regaining some of the caster that is naturally lost in the lift and help maintain the complex relationships of the suspension geometry.

Who aligned the truck?

Most alignment techs get the order of operations wrong while performing alignments… caster>camber>toe…

 

@BiggHertz I was never good with geometry lol. And I do not have aftermarket UCA’s. I was just researching Toyota’s 3” UCA’s, seems like they are a decent option for around $400.

 

Great advice from @BiggHertz

Looks like its too tall, which is obvious seeing the steering stops not aligned properly. Those coilovers are already providing a lift, and the preload collar is likely over doing it. Unless you have a good amount of added weight to the front, that preload collar is not doing you any favors and by the looks of it, you may have the coilover near top out at ride height. I would guess driving over speed bumps with a bit of speed, you would feel the shocks completely top out.

Ditching the preload collar and/or adding an aftermarket UCA would be a good place to start.

 

I think we need @drk1_yota to snap a pic of the top of his shocks. Could be the top spacer isn't the Westcott one and is doubling up on the lift. The Westcott kit should work fine with factory UCAs and other components.

 

@TRD Ferguson An image from the previous owner and one during the install. Looks like the Wescott parts to my untrained eye.
@AccuTune Offroad I don’t believe I have the original collar for the coilover but I wouldn’t mind adding a UCA to help the geometry. My issue with that is determining the actual added height. From what I understand, my ride high as an SR5 off road was 1.1” shorter than that of the Pro. The Wescott lift is 2.5” so combined I’m at 3.6” of an additional ride height. Toyota’s 3” lift kit UCA would be too short, correct? Do I need an adjustable CA?

 

Yep, definitely Westcott parts, so the extra spacer theory can be ruled out. Maybe reach out to Westcott to see if they have any ideas. They claim you can get alignments right with their kit, but I had to get SPC UCAs to get mine to hold, granted that’s on the older gen Tundra.

 

@BiggHertz the alignment was done by Les Scwabb.

 

Who performed the alignment?

That caster spec looks too low even consider the additional OAL of the shock at ride from the preload and top hat spacer. For the new geometry you should be able to hit within the 3.5-4 range without much fuss using the lower eccentrics. It will most definitely be some trade offs between caster/camber ranges afforded by the eccentrics as that is all you have from the factory.

Also, I'm supremely disappointed in Toyota for allowing a Steel LCA to directly contact an Aluminum part, especially in an area designed for high contact. I mean even being a full lock on the steering wheel and utilizing the articulation over obstacles off-road is going to wear out the aluminum of the knuckle and LBJ bracket...for shame..

-JS

 

Take it back and have a talk with them, the caster figures are far too low IMHO and everything else will be off as a result. Better yet, cut your losses and find an off-road or performance shop that has a better understanding of suspension geometry.