alignment question

NateF0022 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 08:38 PM

I have a 04 DC 2WD that I am seriously thinking about putting the daystar coil spacers up front to level out my truck (the raked look is stupid). My question is not how to do this but what alignment issues you all have had with this modification?

TundrastruckDave · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 12:15 PM

You'll definately "need" a realignment after the lift. That's the case with any lift actually. Just make SURE you use DJ's SPECS.

pakalas · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 11:08 PM

Sorry to hijack this thread but I have a question about after adding a lift and adding larger wheels and tires. When you go in to do the alignment, do you need to have the larger tire/wheel installed on the truck or can you go in with just the stock wheels? The reason why I asked is because the shop I brought my truck to today could not do the the alignment because of my aftermarket wheels. Something about the gauges could not go on (fit) on the aftermarket wheels. They requested to have the stock wheels/tires put on for the alignment. Will I get an accurate alignment if I have the stockers on?

mustang67408 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-14-2006, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pakalas

Sorry to hijack this thread but I have a question about after adding a lift and adding larger wheels and tires. When you go in to do the alignment, do you need to have the larger tire/wheel installed on the truck or can you go in with just the stock wheels? The reason why I asked is because the shop I brought my truck to today could not do the the alignment because of my aftermarket wheels. Something about the gauges could not go on (fit) on the aftermarket wheels. They requested to have the stock wheels/tires put on for the alignment. Will I get an accurate alignment if I have the stockers on?

I have run accross this many times at work. The tires are just to tight on the wheel to allow the HUNTER (best machine out there) heads to be attached. You would almost have to beat them on and risk damaging/scratching the wheel. I always either ask the customer to bring in the stock wheels or have on occasion swapped a set off of another vehicle in the shop to get the job done. The tire size diff may or may not make a small bit of difference, but if the heads dont fit they dont fit. What else are you going to do. It will get you a alignment as close to perfect as you can get. I wouldnt worry about it. You will get a good alignment with the stock wheels. I have never had a problem.

NateF0022 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2006, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the spec link. I will definately get this done. My kit is on order from wheelers...I decided to go with the 1.25 coil spacer because Gary over there said that it will get it pretty close to level without touching the rear.

pakalas · #6 (**permalink**) 01-14-2006, 12:19 PM

Mahalo (thanks in Hawaiian) mustang67408!

mustang67408 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-14-2006, 12:30 PM

PREGO (YOUR WELCOME in Italian)

TundrastruckDave · #8 (**permalink**) 01-14-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

I have run accross this many times at work. The tires are just to tight on the wheel to allow the HUNTER (best machine out there) heads to be attached. You would almost have to beat them on and risk damaging/scratching the wheel. I always either ask the customer to bring in the stock wheels or have on occasion swapped a set off of another vehicle in the shop to get the job done. The tire size diff may or may not make a small bit of difference, but if the heads dont fit they dont fit. What else are you going to do. It will get you a alignment as close to perfect as you can get. I wouldnt worry about it. You will get a good alignment with the stock wheels. I have never had a problem.

That is EXCELLENT info to have Victor!!

I would NEVER have thought of that. Truth be told... I'm willing to bet... that most tires shops... wouldn't think about it either. And rather than do it right, they would either risk destorying somebody's wheels, or just do a... ummm... half-a$$ alignment job and call it good.

MANY thanks...

.

NateF0022 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-14-2006, 10:42 PM

TundrastruckDave, I noticed you put the 2in lift system on your truck. Looks good

What size tires are you running on your DC?

DJ · #10 (**permalink**) 01-15-2006, 10:49 AM

Hunter alignment heads can be used with nearly any wheel. I say "nearly" because there might be some types that I haven't yet seen and so my kazoo is covered.

If the wheel clamp won't clamp directly onto the wheel because the tire is too tight a fit to it (which happens with some tires and wheels), then a different method is used. The probes that clamp to the wheel are replaced by shaped rubber pads that fit against the wheel, and then a ratchet strap around the tire is used to hold the whole thing against the wheel. It works just fine (been there, done that), but not every tech has the parts, remembers where they are, or is willing to use them.

Such will remain the case until tire manufacturers wake up and concentrate on reality instead of on cosmetics. I ain't holding my breath.

mustang67408 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-15-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ

The probes that clamp to the wheel are replaced by shaped rubber pads that fit against the wheel, and then a ratchet strap around the tire is used to hold the whole thing against the wheel. It works just fine (been there, done that), but not every tech has the parts, remembers where they are, or is willing to use them.

Thanks for the great Tip. I didn't even know they had such a device. I dont personally get to talk to our Hunter REP, so I will be asking our manager to call Hunter and find out about getting a set of these rubber pads w/staps. That sounds a whole lot easier than having to find a vehicle to swap out wheels with.
See, I learned something new today.Gotta love TS

Thanks AGAIN
Victor

TundrastruckDave · #12 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NateF0022

TundrastruckDave, I noticed you put the 2in lift system on your truck. Looks good

What size tires are you running on your DC?

Hey Nate,

Thanks for the compliment.

Unfortunately, at present... the tires on my DC... are those 'ole crappy BFG Rugged Trails in the "stock" size of 265/70/16

. Right now, that's just the way it's gotta' be, until I can find the "extra" cash to replace them.

In the long run though, I'm hoping to end up with a 265/75/16. That's just large enough to "fill-up" the wheel wells nicely, and satisfy my desire for a larger and more aggresive looking tire. Not to mention... FINALLY... having a set of LT (i.e. Light Truck) rated tires on my DC, instead of those BFG Pmetric (i.e. Passenger) rated pieces of junk!

I STILL find myself wondering... what in the hell... Toyota was thinking, when they decided to use those tires on the Tundra in the first place?!

DJ · #13 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TundrastruckDave

[...]

I STILL find myself wondering... what in the hell... Toyota was thinking, when they decided to use those tires on the Tundra in the first place?!

They were thinking money.

You can buy the BFG Rugged Trails for about $45 or so retail. The Michelin LTX M/S is about $125 or so, minimum. Toyota makes about 150,000 Tundras per year. The savings are:

(125 $/tire - 45 $/tire) x 5 tires/vehicle x 150,000 vehicles/year = $60,000,000/year

Over the last five years, that's THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS they've not spent.

seto · #14 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ

They were thinking money.

You can buy the BFG Rugged Trails for about $45 or so retail. The Michelin LTX M/S is about $125 or so, minimum. Toyota makes about 150,000 Tundras per year. The savings are:

(125 $/tire - 45 $/tire) x 5 tires/vehicle x 150,000 vehicles/year = $60,000,000/year

Over the last five years, that's THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS they've not spent.

DJ,

Are these prices real? I looked up the BFG's prior to selling mine and saw them at Tire Rack for about $119 each. I ended up selling mine fairly new for $50 each, I wonder if I got a great deal if that's the price you're finding for the BFG's.

Rob

NateF0022 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 10:19 PM

My dad just traded in his tundra and I took the wheels off of that. They are 265/70/17s, no names, practically brand new. Now all I have to do is lift the front end so it doesn't look as stupid. If were my choice (ie, I had the money) I would put a nice set of rims and BFG A/Ts on it. Well, the family comes first...