Options for More Pos. Caster? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71GreenJunk · 02-06-2019, 04:47 AM

I seem to recall reading that '73+ a-arms have additional caster built in compared to my '71. Is this true, if so, how much? My understanding is that I should look for about 8* positive caster. Most aftermarket arms don't seem to get you very close to 8* or they use coil overs which seems a bit much for something that's just a daily driver. I look at shocks being a consumable part like a battery or tires and coil over is a lot more expensive than a set of normal gas shocks. Think my last ones were $45 for a pair. Is this an unreasonable way of thinking for not going to coilovers?
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**PGSigns** · 02-06-2019, 07:31 AM

Do a search for caster mod in this forum section. I did it with my 66 using 73 and up arms. I redrilled the locator hole a half inch back and easily got what I was looking for and that was 5 degrees. Unless you are running a drag car I think 8 is to much for a driver. Mine runs down the road really well with the 5 degrees caster. 0 camber and a 1/8" of toe. I am running Beltech street performance shocks and really like them. The truck is lowered 4 1/2 front and 6 rear with a super track bar.
Jimmy

**PGSigns** · 02-06-2019, 07:32 AM

Here id the thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=caster+mod

71GreenJunk · 02-06-2019, 09:25 AM

Dang. I got my terms mixed up. I've had the truck somewhere around 120-130 mph and it felt fine so I'm not too worried about the caster after all. It was the camber I was wanting more of. -1.5* seems pretty good if that's even possible? About what I see on performance late models.

Yeah 5* caster should be plenty after all. I had looked at that caster mod before.

SCOTI · 02-06-2019, 11:28 AM

- 1.5 camber is going to wear tires way faster than you would expect. Factory trucks call for +.5 camber w/o aggressive wear. I start @ -.5 for a daily driven vehicle & try to get close to that. If it's just a toy, more aggressive Neg camber can be dialed in.

71GreenJunk · 02-06-2019, 05:14 PM

Makes sense. There's no free lunch. -0.5* is still better than a lot of car's stock alignment settings.

SCOTI · 02-06-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71GreenJunk

Makes sense. There's no free lunch. -0.5* is still better than a lot of car's stock alignment settings.

Yes. And, since OE calls for +.5 camber w/o wear issues, going NEG is not going to yield 'more' wear vs. POS yet the tire contact patch (& effectively handling) will improve.

For reference, my dually is modified & was about 7° caster & -.6 camber (I would have to look @ my sheet to be 100% correct on the actual numbers).

02-06-2019, 04:47 AM	#1
71GreenJunk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Cave City, KY Posts: 33	Options for More Pos. Caster? I seem to recall reading that '73+ a-arms have additional caster built in compared to my '71. Is this true, if so, how much? My understanding is that I should look for about 8* positive caster. Most aftermarket arms don't seem to get you very close to 8* or they use coil overs which seems a bit much for something that's just a daily driver. I look at shocks being a consumable part like a battery or tires and coil over is a lot more expensive than a set of normal gas shocks. Think my last ones were $45 for a pair. Is this an unreasonable way of thinking for not going to coilovers? Posted via Mobile Device

02-06-2019, 07:31 AM	#2
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Options for More Pos. Caster? Do a search for caster mod in this forum section. I did it with my 66 using 73 and up arms. I redrilled the locator hole a half inch back and easily got what I was looking for and that was 5 degrees. Unless you are running a drag car I think 8 is to much for a driver. Mine runs down the road really well with the 5 degrees caster. 0 camber and a 1/8" of toe. I am running Beltech street performance shocks and really like them. The truck is lowered 4 1/2 front and 6 rear with a super track bar. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

02-06-2019, 07:32 AM	#3
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Options for More Pos. Caster? Here id the thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=caster+mod __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

02-06-2019, 09:25 AM	#4
71GreenJunk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Cave City, KY Posts: 33	Re: Options for More Pos. Caster? Dang. I got my terms mixed up. I've had the truck somewhere around 120-130 mph and it felt fine so I'm not too worried about the caster after all. It was the camber I was wanting more of. -1.5* seems pretty good if that's even possible? About what I see on performance late models. Yeah 5* caster should be plenty after all. I had looked at that caster mod before.

02-06-2019, 11:28 AM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Re: Options for More Pos. Caster? - 1.5 camber is going to wear tires way faster than you would expect. Factory trucks call for +.5 camber w/o aggressive wear. I start @ -.5 for a daily driven vehicle & try to get close to that. If it's just a toy, more aggressive Neg camber can be dialed in. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-06-2019, 05:14 PM	#6
71GreenJunk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Cave City, KY Posts: 33	Re: Options for More Pos. Caster? Makes sense. There's no free lunch. -0.5* is still better than a lot of car's stock alignment settings.



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