I own an 07 F150, 2WD, XL, 4.2 V6. Just lately it kind of drifted to the right, only if l took my hands from the steering wheel. I talked to a Ford tech buddy of mine and he suggested l get the front end looked at, just in case.
I brought it to a friend that owns a tire shop and he has the latest technology for alignments. He hooked up my truck and said there was a toe in problem on the right side and showed it to me on a digital printout. After adjusting it his tech took it for a test drive but was not satisfied. Long story short, they had to break out the long pry bars and make adjustments with them. In the end (45 minutes later) all was good. My truck now drives straight as an arrow!
But, he told me his tech went around having to install some kind of new camber kit required for an 04-08 F150. What kit was he talking about? He said that Ford F150 front ends (04-08) require this kit when getting an alignment and it can be VERY expensive.

 

Not unheard of...

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...bolt+kit,13512

You can also fab your own if your frame is tweaked after say an front end collision.

 

So, what's in there now? Is this kit that is installed from the factory anything like the aftermarket kit? All of this has me confused. I'm used to a simple front end set up where you adjust the tie rods in or out, center link right or left, etc.
Please explain this to me like I were a 3 year old.

 

Same thing with 97-03. No caster/camber adjustment possible with factory parts, an aftermarket kit makes it adjustable.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...bolt+kit,13512

 

Pretty standard. It depends what was off. 45 minutes is quick for an alignment....

 

I guess you just had to be there. It could have been 44.5 minutes.

 

Mine took 2 hours. Was over a degree off on the toe in

20 years ago, I used to perform alignments.....

 

Those kits just have the ability to hold a setting until the LCA bolt-nut is tightened, they make life easier for the tech. They don't, in themselves, provide any additional benefit once alignment is set and finished. Without them, one must resort to prybars or come-a-longs and maybe a jack to pull the lower control arms inwards as needed. As soon as the inner OEM bolts are loosened, they slide to outward ends of the slots in the frame. With the kits, one can make easy adjustments. Without, it's a series of best guesses & work and trial & error. When I did mine, I made some plates that index in the hole nearby to sit tight against the nut to prevent slipping, but these kits do that.