6" Rough Country Lift 1982 Flareside

[Gary Lewis]

Good job, Ray!  

[Ray Cecil]

Ok, I drove it around awhile. The springs or bushings or something have settled a little. I now have a noticeable negative camber.

From what I understand, and looking at Garys alignment photos, he has .3deg positive on the drivers, and -.1deg on the passenger. But that is a solid front axle.

Just eyeballing mine, I am probably in the neighborhood of -2deg camber.

The thing I really dont understand is the +3deg positive caster on Garys readout. I thought -1 to -2 deg caster was for a more desirable stability. Maybe I am wrong and need to visualize this better somehow.

[Sac79]

Yes, the suspension will definitely settle.

As I mentioned you want neutral camber and toe.

By the book the caster should be positive, but I wouldn't be concerned with that, we're not driving high performance road cars...

Anyway, you're still planning on taking it to a shop right? So they'll either set it for you or at least give you the numbers that you need. They should really do it, maybe Gary's was free of charge?

[Rembrant]

Looking good Ray. Looks like a lot of work too.

I'm going to have to bring you up here to Canada sometime as a rep for KY. The gal on the local news keeps pronouncing Louisville like "Lewis-Ville" lol.

[Ray Cecil]

Yeah, its Lou-uh-vull. One day id like to visit.

[Ray Cecil]

So, I messed with alignment last night and got is closer. Added caster, and aimed for as close to zero deg camber as possible. Drives much better now. Still not perfect.

I noticed after driving the truck to work it looks like its settled more. Camber was at or close to zero last night after adjusting and taking it for a spin. Now its just barely visible with neg camber.

Toe is close. But I will have to adjust it everytime I make caster/camber changes.

Driveline vibrates over 55mph. Maybe time for a double cardan joint at the tcase.

[Gary Lewis]

Yep, I think any time you change camber or caster the toe changes.  Steve had to reset the toe when I changed both camber and caster.

As for the driveline, you should be able to swap out the yoke to the one that takes the double-cardan.  I can look up where I got my double-cardan yoke if you'd like.

[Sac79]

My truck sat in storage for 3 years with the new coils on without the geometry changing one bit. Now I've driven it a handful of times and the difference is significant! I think it settles more every time I pull it out of the garage! I'm sure it will be 'settled' eventually, hopefully before it starts sagging from wear/age!

Ideally before I take it to the shop too. Have you found a shop for yours?

[Ray Cecil]

Gary, I can find one. I had one on the bronco, but gave it away.

Rob, just drove the truck again in a Parade, and when I got home I could tell it settled a smidge. It drove pretty well, still need to get the toe just right. No death wobble.

[Ray Cecil]

Oh, Rob, no I havent found a shop. Ive been tinkering with it myself.

[Ray Cecil]

Parade decor....

[grumpin]

Cool! As I’ve seen you say “Murica”!

[Sac79]

 Nice pic!

I'm planning a 1000mile roadtrip in December and I'll definitely take it to the shop before then, but for now I'm also happy just cruising around with it as is... But as I mentioned before, even if the steering feels great, if the toe is just a little off, it could eat your tires real fast!

[Rembrant]

Lookin' good Ray!

[Ray Cecil]

Thanks.

Here is the "parade".

[Ray Cecil]

[Sac79]

Glad you're out enjoying your truck and family!

[Gary Lewis]

Having fun!!!!  

[Jacob84]

If this was in the “truck of the month” poll I’d vote for it in a heartbeat. Very cool!

Ray Cecil wrote

Parade decor....