Oops...slight correction: "you can also set the Caster a little bit more
negative" (Me bad).
- Bernd
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: DML: RE: correct alignment settings
If you have installed a quality Lower/Lift kit, the stock specs will work
just fine. (Did with the Fabtech Kit.) Most reputable kits will enhance
the adjustments and geometry of the stock suspension.
However...you can, for performance reasons, increase the Positive Camber
just a little bit (normally up to 1 degree more) which will allow the
vehicle to return to a straight line quicker (if all else is set right) and
you can also set the camber a little bit more negative (about 1/2 degree)
for handling purposes. Leave the toe alone though unless you need specific
setting for the track you're on. (Those settings were from Vette Products 7
years ago and they still apply to most suspensions.)
I had mine set +1 degree from factory caster and -1/4 degree camber from
factory and the truck drives straight as an arrow. No excessive tire wear
and the front doesn't slip as much (32" tires have something to do with
that). If you want, I can dig up the alignment spec sheet for you and post
the factory and final settings.
As an example, the old Camaro that I used to own (RIP) had an extra 2
degrees of positive caster and an extra 1.25 degree of negative camber.
Handled like a dream over the twisty roads and the Comp-T/A's didn't wear
much more than stock. Granted, it's a little bit excessive for daily
driving, but then again...with 450+ HP under your butt, she was a sh--load
of fun to drive...and getting 16mpg on average thanks to Holley
Projection-II.
BTW: 7000 miles on the 32" tires with those specs and NO uneven wear or
premature wear. Again, it depends on the Lift/Lower kit.
- Bernd
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of Patrick and Kelly
Engram
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 8:06 PM
To: DML
Subject: DML: correct alignment settings
-Ok, then what specs do you align them to and where do you get those
specs?
My spec charts dont have figures for raised and lowered vehicles, or for
wrong tire sizes. Yes, people raise and lower cars all the time. When
have you ever heard of someone with a slammed vehicle or jacked up truck
that bragged about the great mileage and wear they got out of their
tires? They normally eat the tires. If you've ever changed the ride
height of a vehicle either by different tire circumference or a change
in spring height, then you will know that this affects the camber and
toe, and the factory setting may end up wearing the tires. I cant pull
specs out of the air, and I dont have a research facility so I can
install tires, align them, and drive them for 5000 miles to see how they
wear at the current settings.
Patrick
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:47:11 EDT