I am not a noob when it comes to lifting trucks, but last night two thing stuck out in my head after I installed my 2.5" billet spacers...

First, how damn fast are my ball joints going to wair out???

Second, is it normal for the alignment to NOT be out after installing a spacer???

 

The ball joints seem to wear differently for different trucks and I haven't seen a definite answer to your question there.

My alignment was perfectly fine after I put my spacer in but the toe in was way off.

 

My previous 2004 F-150 had a Daystar spacer installed, than switched to a Rancho 4" plus an Autospring 1-1/2" spacer and my ball joints were done for with about 20,000 miles. A lot of other people have been fine with many more miles. I did offroad my truck about 4 days out of week so that might have been why as well!

Second, no you need an alignment. Anyone who tells you differently, does not know anything about anything. Whenever changing the height of your front end, be it lifting or lowering, you need to get an alignment.

 

I'm assuming that you are judging your allignment by how your steering wheel sits. It's not going to be off, but your wheels are going to be towed in and need to be adjusted out. Do it soon before you damage your tires.

 

When I had 2.5"as on my truck(b4 my 6"lift) I did need an alignment.

Also as far as wear goes. I had mine on for about 8 months with no issues.
I have 2x4 never taken off road. Like Thumper said with a lot of off road use they may wear out faster.

 

True. Mine did that, very minimal. Didn`t notice until the tires were wearing funny. Don`t let it fool you. get an alignment

 

Have had mine on for about 8 months and 7000 miles. Taken off road about 1-2 times a month.

Be sure to get an alig. like everyones been saying.

 

Yeah, I wasn't going off the steering wheel only, it seemed to track stright too, but you guys were right...The toe was way out..

And just for the record the kit I bought gave me a full 3" of lift...No Joke!

Check it out! (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWN:IT&ih=012)


Thanks,
G-NOTE

 

Now let me get this straight, after adding spacers which way do the tires lean. Do they sit with the top of the tire outward and bottom in ward or the other way. (I'm talking about 2006, if it matters)

 

Def. get that thing aligned!

 

They will be towed in, meaning exactly what you said, top out, bottom in. It may not be very noticable just by looking at them, but trust me they are towed in.

 

I'm just trying to figure out why I am rubbing my front tires so bad on the upper control arm. What I have is a 2006 xlt 4x4 with a 2.5" AS level kit. I put 35x12.5.18 Nitto mud grapps on stock wheels. Theres alot of guys running similar setups with minor rubbing usually at full lock, but I'm rubbing with the tires straight forward. And its not a slight rub there hittting hard.The only thing I can think of is that I haven't had an alignment done since adding the level kit(kinda waitng till I put on the mudders) An alignment needs done regardless but is that going to help the rubbing issue? If I'm looking at this right its not, and if not what that h**L is going on. Any answers would be awesome.. thanks

 

Not only are your tires towed in but your suspension is stressed. When you get your allignment done your suspension will relax to it's proper ride height. This could be why you are having rub issues.