RamOutdoorsman12
Member
Hi guys, new to this forum but I have done a ton of searching on this topic. I have a 2012 Ram 1500, Outdoorsman (comes from Canada).
I'm posting in the lifted section because I have been told that my issue is common among trucks that are lifted higher than just using Bils.
Over the weekend, I installed new lower control arms from Detroit Axle, New Tie Rod Ends, and Bilstein 5100 set at 2.1. The rear of the truck is stock. Upper control arms are Mevotech, recently done this year. Lower control arms and struts were not tightened until vehicle was set down.
Today I brought the truck to a popular chain for an alignment where I have lifetime alignment. After about 2 hours, the tech came up to me and said that he was able to set toe and camber within spec but could not get the caster where it needed to be. I had about 0.8+ on one side and 1.3+ on the other. They showed me this on a printout. The tech told me that every time he would get the caster close the camber would be thrown off. I left and I drove the truck and it felt okay and drove straight but it felt a little light up front and i had virtually no steering wheel return after turning.
I found a very highly rated truck alignment shop in my area that has been in business for a long time. I made an appointment and went. They told me when they got the truck on their rack, I had negative caster on one side and 0.2+ on the other. They told me the previous place's computer may have been off but their computer is new and accurate. They were able to get the caster to match just under 1+ degree on both sides giving me a positive caster but still way out of spec as spec is between 3 and 4 degrees. He told me that it was completely maxed out. He did mention that he could not increase caster without the camber being thrown off . The shop said that this is common on trucks that have lifts/ leveling kits as the higher you go the more you lose in caster adjustment. The truck actually feels better after leaving this second shop it does not feel as "floaty" but I still have almost no steering wheel return after completing a turn.
I know a lot of guys run the Bils at 2.1 which is nothing serious by a long shot. I was told my only option is to get upper control arms made for a lift which will allow for more adjustment ( I would need this explained as how it will help).
Also, besides the way the truck feels (which I can get used to) are there any other potential issues that I may run in to by just leaving the truck alone the way it is.
Thank you to anyone in advance
I'm posting in the lifted section because I have been told that my issue is common among trucks that are lifted higher than just using Bils.
Over the weekend, I installed new lower control arms from Detroit Axle, New Tie Rod Ends, and Bilstein 5100 set at 2.1. The rear of the truck is stock. Upper control arms are Mevotech, recently done this year. Lower control arms and struts were not tightened until vehicle was set down.
Today I brought the truck to a popular chain for an alignment where I have lifetime alignment. After about 2 hours, the tech came up to me and said that he was able to set toe and camber within spec but could not get the caster where it needed to be. I had about 0.8+ on one side and 1.3+ on the other. They showed me this on a printout. The tech told me that every time he would get the caster close the camber would be thrown off. I left and I drove the truck and it felt okay and drove straight but it felt a little light up front and i had virtually no steering wheel return after turning.
I found a very highly rated truck alignment shop in my area that has been in business for a long time. I made an appointment and went. They told me when they got the truck on their rack, I had negative caster on one side and 0.2+ on the other. They told me the previous place's computer may have been off but their computer is new and accurate. They were able to get the caster to match just under 1+ degree on both sides giving me a positive caster but still way out of spec as spec is between 3 and 4 degrees. He told me that it was completely maxed out. He did mention that he could not increase caster without the camber being thrown off . The shop said that this is common on trucks that have lifts/ leveling kits as the higher you go the more you lose in caster adjustment. The truck actually feels better after leaving this second shop it does not feel as "floaty" but I still have almost no steering wheel return after completing a turn.
I know a lot of guys run the Bils at 2.1 which is nothing serious by a long shot. I was told my only option is to get upper control arms made for a lift which will allow for more adjustment ( I would need this explained as how it will help).
Also, besides the way the truck feels (which I can get used to) are there any other potential issues that I may run in to by just leaving the truck alone the way it is.
Thank you to anyone in advance
