I recently installed a 2" AS kit in my '05 2wd reg cab, took it to get an alignment and the shop couldnt get it into spec without putting a camber kit in. Well after them ordering and installing the kit I have now noticed that my front wheels seem to set in more than they used to. Other words what has happened is when I installed the AS kit it caused my front wheels to be toed in at the top and out at the bottom, evidently this camber kit brought the bottom in resulting on moving my wheels inward a 1/2" or so. Its something that nobody else might not notice when looking at my truck, but I do and it bugs me. Just curious to know if anyone else has noticed this and if anyone has put some sort of wheel spacers on to offset this. BTW, I have FX4 18" wheels with 275/65/18's, looking to go up a size or so when these wear out so it may be something that with wider tires wouldnt even be noticeable.

 

Think I would find another alignment shop.

 

why is that??

 

Doesn't sound like the re-aligned it properly. I have never heard of anyone using a camber kit with the spacer lifts but yours is a 2wd so not sure on that. If it looks like it isn't aligned properly then take it back. If the bottom of the tires are farther in then the top then you got positive camber. The opposite of that is negative camber.

 

sorry, you read what I typed wrong (probably because I made it confusing).. that was how it was before they stuck the camber kit in, it is perfectly aligned now, wheels have no tow in or out. But as a result of the kit it seems to of pulled my wheels inboard somewhat, maybe a 1/4-1/2". And its probably not the camber kits fault, its just the nature of the beast, you swing the control arms down 2" and it is going to naturally draw inward a little. Just curious if this has bothered anyone else and if anyone has done anything to correct/hide it, like wheel spacers, etc...

 

I had a 2" autospring spacer and the ford dealership aligned my truck to factory specs without a camber kit.

 

well that wasnt the case with mine, they did what they could to get it into spec but it just wouldnt. I'm not alone, i have read other posts on here where guys had to have kits put in. But thats beside the point, not what I am asking about here.

 

Just trying to help, bud.

 

well I appreciate the help then, bud

just trying to keep the thread on track, if I hadnt of cleared it up in no time there would of been 10 posts arguing over who had to have a kit and who didnt and thats not what I am wanting to know. I know for a fact that my truck needed a kit, dont know why but it did, so whether or not someone elses truck didnt need it doesnt really help me or answer my question.

 

You will loose a little in track-width when you install a spacer. The arms push down in an arch which allows them to come closer together. Yours is the lightest configuration of 150 around, so the 2 inch AS probably gave you the most lift up front causing it to be just out of spec. My FX4 Scab only needed toe adjustment after install. I believe that 2wds also have a shorter steering knuckle which amplified this problem. These things combined is what is probably landing you just outside of spec. I also believe that the camber kits go on the upper control arms, and in your case should be lengthened to provide positive camber. Most people here did not have these problems because of a heavier nose. I think that this kit should fix your problem, and be sure to have enough adjustment in the tierods for toe. In your case, a wheel spacer may be tolerated, but I don't recommend them on any trucks because of the weight. Good Luck.

 

Kspencer, what do you mean about "because of the weight"? You mean the added rotational weight to the wheel/hub area or because of the weight of the vehicle its self?

 

The weight of the truck itself. Consider this: Scab 4X4 = 6150 with me in it. I weight about 200, so the truck is about 5950 empty. Your truck would be about 800-1000 lbs lighter than mine (reg cab and 4X2). You put the same spacer in that I have. My front end lifted about 1.75 inches post install, what did yours do? (I am guessing more) I think that the biggest difference to needing a camber kit is the length of the steering knuckle. This makes a big difference in the distance of total allowable suspension travel.

 

I couldnt tell you how much it raised mine, I didnt think about measuring until I had already started the job But I am guessing somewhere in the 2" range. I do know that its 39" to the bottom of my front fenders now, I had measured my front end height a while back when I was trying to decided about getting the kit and the best I remember my stock height was around 37". I dont think the weight of the trucks has anything to do with how much lift you get out of these spacers. Your springs are going to have the same amount of preload and travel to them before the AS install as they will after the AS install.


I'm still wondering what you mean by you wouldnt use any kind of wheel spacer because of the weight?

 

Like I said before, if it looks out of alignment then take it back or take it to the dealership. If the bottom of the tire is closer in then the top then it isn't aligned correctly. After I put a spacer lift on my tacoma I had the same issue. The bottom was closer in, positive camber, took it to the dealership and had it realigned.

 

After thinking about this today, I have decided that the shorter knuckle is the major cause for problems. I disagree with the weight debate. The steeper angle of the lower control arm applies more force on the coil by moving the coil inward at the bottom. I know it is only slightly, but there is more compression. Wheel spacers are dangerous on any truck used for hauling. The added sheering stress on the hub caused by moving the support (wheel) outward can result in breaking studs. Let's face it, Ford made a heavy 1/2 ton, period. I would be hesitant to use wheel spacers. The safer, and more expensive fix, is to go with an aftermarket wheel with your desired backspacing. You just have to be careful with allowing room for turning in the fenderwell. Spacers work well for passenger cars, but I would not consider it for a truck.