Bluecollar Hotrods

iTrader: (18)

I just finished installing the following parts on my 2001 RCSB 2WD: dorman upper control arms, Moog lower control arms, new outer tie rod ends, new front hubs, Bell Tech street performance shocks, new sway bar end links, and cut 1/2 coil out of a set of lower mile springs.

I'm a bit confused about adjustment, I feel like I should have it aligned before driving it on a regular basis again. I was careful not to change the position of the tie rod ends. Also, the truck doesn't sit any lower. I had read that 1/2 a coil would make a 5/8" - 3/4" difference.

Am I missing anything else?

FFDP

iTrader: (2)

Drive it and it might settle.

No matter what it needs an alignment asap, new bushings and tie rod ends will change everything. Even if you didn't change position of the tie rod, the toe is still out now. I'd take it in and have them re-adjust the camber/caster and toe and see how it rides and how low it sits afterwards.

mikeyjm1

Im with FFDP on the alignment.
And I tell everybody, I get the "lifetime" alignment from Firestone on everything. I don't think they are anywhere close to the best but, they are national and realign it every time I change a part, hit a bump, adjust height, or just feel like its time.
We do the same on my wife's Xterra, she beats the **** out of it and tweaks it on a trail, they straighten it. They also unknowingly do my diagnostic work, they call to sell me a ball joint, tie rod...ect, I say "no", pick it up, replace the part, and take it back the next day for the alignment. We've done this on multiple vehicles for many years.

Bluecollar Hotrods

iTrader: (18)

I plan on taking it in for an alignment this week. The caster looks OK, but camber is definitely off. I verified that by eye and with a 3 ft. level. I think mostly I am irked about the ride height.

mikeyjm1

Just a thought, you may need to trim the bump stops. Not sure on yours but, I know the 4wd models ride with pretty constant contact with them. Once into them enough I had to cut them.

Bluecollar Hotrods

iTrader: (18)

Yeah, I trimmed about 3/8" off each one in anticipation of it sitting lower.

Bluecollar Hotrods

iTrader: (18)

I had it aligned today, caster was pretty much spot on, camber was off a good amount. Sits a little lower, but damnit if the passenger side isn't a 1/2" higher. I even trimmed an extra inch off the coil on that side, as suggested to get rid of the "Chevy lean."

mikeyjm1

At this point I may be inclined to buy some lowering springs. The way I always understood it, the spring is designed around the specific amount of metal. Take some material away and you risk throwing that off a lot. It may look irrelevant but a small amount could reduce the load carrying by a bigger amount than you'd expect.