Your Raptor and It's Alignment

[BenBB]

Rather then start a new alignment thread,
I spent most of the day having my alignment done yesterday. I did Mid perch mod in the morning and dropped the truck off that afternoon. After 3 tries with the tech my steering wheel is still just to the right of center ( In his defense, im super OCD about this). Id much rather correct this myself if possible.
Since the steering wheel is facing right (passenger) cant i adjust the passenger tie rod OUT (say 1/8 -1/4 turn) and the driver side tie rod IN the exact amount? It would be easy enough to paint pen a line across the tie rod, lock nut and tie rod end to know how much im moving everything. Is this how the alignment shops center the steering wheel? If not then how?
Thanks,

Yes you can, I did the exact same, more like 1/2 turn at a time as any less didn't seem to do anything at all...

On a side note, anyone ever try aligning it yourself with something like these Tenhulzen plates?:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnh-3300/overview/
I think I'll give them a try after the first of the year, with the tires on some 12" vynil tiles I have left over from a bathroom project and a little grease so the tires can move with adjustment. I'll post results in this thread.

 

[JLAKE4130]

please let us know what you think? Id love to do the alignments myself. It seems now a-days im mostly disappointed by others work on my truck.
I bought the SPC kit from SDHQ but had no time to install. Also being a new raptor owner i figured i take it on a good off-roading trip to see how the alignment holds with the factory hardware. Then id have something to base the new hardware's holding force to.

 

[BenBB]

Will do! I also have the SPC cams front and rear, should make adjustment easier as I can loosen the bolt and turn the nut. Only downside for me is I either have to borrow my neighbor's driveway or bring it to work for a flat, smooth work space as my driveway is sloped and that pebble concrete shit.

 

[JLAKE4130]

Parking on two pieces of linoleum/vinyl floor tiles (with grease between them) is a great idea. Should help decrease the resistance while making adjustments!

 

[JLAKE4130]

Instead of buying one of the DIY alignment kits i started to make my own this weekend. I used the beadlock bolt hole to mount it but its making it harder to get it perfectly level from the start. Im going to make some adjustment to the mounting holes to make leveling it easier.
Not bad for using scrap metal i had laying around and a few bucks in hardware!

 

[BenBB]

Instead of buying one of the DIY alignment kits i started to make my own this weekend. I used the beadlock bolt hole to mount it but its making it harder to get it perfectly level from the start. Im going to make some adjustment to the mounting holes to make leveling it easier.
Not bad for using scrap metal i had laying around and a few bucks in hardware!

Right on!!!

 

[pat247]

I just had the alignment done on my Raptor after installing Gen 2 shocks all the way around. I don't have alignment cams but I think the shop got real close to the specs that were posted by pirate air.

 

[PlainJane]

The alignment cams are used to set the camber and caster first. The then the final adjustment for the toe is set with the tie rod.
JLAKE4130 is just missing caster and plates for the tires to slide. great start

 

[Deleted member 12951]

I just had the alignment done on my Raptor after installing Gen 2 shocks all the way around. I don't have alignment cams but I think the shop got real close to the specs that were posted by pirate air.

You do anything different on the front other than just a swap?

 

[pat247]

You do anything different on the front other than just a swap?

No, not really, swapped out Gen 1 shocks with geisser springs for the Gen 2 shocks with stock Gen 1 springs and spring hats. New KO2's from a Gen 2 Raptor. I had this shop install the Geisser springs and do the alignment three years ago and have had even tire wear on all tires, 2 sets in 115k miles rotated every 5k miles. I was told the alignment person has 30 years experience.