Alignment for Static Dropped C10's

[robber grin]

I have a 1962 C10 with a 1978 cross-member, 2 1/2" Bell spindles and 3" coils for 5 1/2" of front static drop

6" out back with blocks and coils, adjustable bar, and c notch...

so it's rather low by my mechanic's standards.


He is unable to align the front end due to "the bars that hold the upper control arms to the chassis are in backwards" (odd since I never had them off the control arms of the donor clip) and the studs are too short to achieve the proper camber and caster adjustments.

I'm perplexed since I know MANY folks on here run a similar set-up...

is a proper front end alignment no longer an option for us in the static lowered category, or do I need the advice of another mechanic?

the icing on the cake is he is pushing me out to get another car in and I still have no turn signals or column wiring function and a generator light with the truck off.

Love it

[tinydb84]

I am assuming he means the cross shafts. Not really sure what he is talking about though. Does he do alignments professionally? Did he give you the alignment sheet with the measurements he was able to get you to? I would take the truck to a shop that specializes in alignments (or at least a decent wheel/tire shop).

You should be able to align it to the 1978 specs (within reason). Those 3'' coils will make it tough because the amount of camber they will add.

You can purchase longer upper studs to shim the arm further out. I am not a big fan of it but it is possible.

[zach_carver]

I had some issues getting my alignment correct after lowering mine 5/7". I ended up replacing all steering parts, and all balljoints. Then added tubular UCAs to help correct camber and caster. Truck drives like a new truck now! Drives better than most new vehicles I've had.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by robber grin

I have a 1962 C10 with a 1978 cross-member, 2 1/2" Bell spindles and 3" coils for 5 1/2" of front static drop

6" out back with blocks and coils, adjustable bar, and c notch...

so it's rather low by my mechanic's standards.


He is unable to align the front end due to "the bars that hold the upper control arms to the chassis are in backwards" (odd since I never had them off the control arms of the donor clip) and the studs are too short to achieve the proper camber and caster adjustments.

I'm perplexed since I know MANY folks on here run a similar set-up...

is a proper front end alignment no longer an option for us in the static lowered category, or do I need the advice of another mechanic?

the icing on the cake is he is pushing me out to get another car in and I still have no turn signals or column wiring function and a generator light with the truck off.

Love it

Backwards???
Un-bolt them and rotate the cross shafts 180 degrees.
WTF?

In reality static dropped trucks this low,... need the upper a-arms lengthened 1/2",... or the lower a-arms narrowed 1/2",... to keep the shim pack in the upper a-arms at an acceptable level.
The cheat for this is to add more shims and long bolts.
Other issues could be tweaked frame rails causing you to need more shims.

Try to get an alignment with as much positive caster as possible.
(5 degrees would make it drive great)

[tinydb84]

In reality static dropped trucks this low,... need the upper a-arms lengthened 1/2",... or the lower a-arms narrowed 1/2",... to keep the shim pack in the upper a-arms at an acceptable level.
The cheat for this is to add more shims and long bolts.
Other issues could be tweaked frame rails causing you to need more shims.

Try to get an alignment with as much positive caster as possible.
(5 degrees would make it drive great)

I've got bags but I moved the ball joints forward about 1/2" and in about 3/8" an inch. Haven't got it aligned yet though.

[BMERDOC]

Did you get this sorted? What numbers was he trying to hit? It has been my experience that when aligning with a 3" coil the camber is fine. caster leaves something to be desired but that isn't the spring's fault.

[robber grin]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Did you get this sorted? What numbers was he trying to hit? It has been my experience that when aligning with a 3" coil the camber is fine. caster leaves something to be desired but that isn't the spring's fault.

I bought and installed Performance Online Upper Control Arms and the results were immediately noticeable

I can't wait until its aligned

[SCOTI]

Don't use the factory specs "in the book'. They were fine for the time the specs came out but w/time comes improvement.

I try to achieve -.5 camber (spec is usually +.5), , as much caster as possible, & use the spec'd toe setting. By using negative camber (vs positive), less shims are required & the tire contact patch is improved w/o increased tire wear.