HELP camber kit for 67 to 72 Do they sell one

[mr mike]

I am looking for a camber kit for my 69 c10 if they sell a kit or you no what i need let me know thank It dropped low i cut off 2 coils and just looking to get it the best i can. I drive it to and from car show so just looking to get the best i can out of it thanks

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by mr mike

I am looking for a camber kit for my 69 c10 if they sell a kit or you no what i need let me know thank It dropped low i cut off 2 coils and just looking to get it the best i can. I drive it to and from car show so just looking to get the best i can out of it thanks

Camber kit?

The stock upper studs may or may not be long enough for the req'd amount of shims needed to align after 2-coils have been cut. If there's not enough thread on the studs, you need longer ones. That's about all there is to it.

[mr mike]

The stock upper studs ??? I am new to all this what upper studs lol thanks

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by mr mike

The stock upper studs ??? I am new to all this what upper studs lol thanks

They are what position the upper a-arms (which is how you adjust camber on these trucks). Go look @ the upper a-arm in the truck & you'll see shims behind the shaft on the upper a-arm. Adding or subtracting shims dials in the alignment (along w/other settings).

[mr mike]

OK I'll have to go out and look at it, with out looking at is it possible to put longer studs in ?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by mr mike

OK I'll have to go out and look at it, with out looking at is it possible to put longer studs in ?

Yes, installing longer studs has been done for years when chopping the front coils. You'll need to find a mechanic that's done alignments on lowered vehicles. They should know what you need. If they say they must go by 'stock' specs, move on to another shop.

[mr mike]

Do's any one got any info on this or a how two ???

I see how it works now. Would you use a grade 8 bolts or what thanks

[SCOTI]

Technically you can, but the studs that go in there have knurled edges to keep them seated (& prevent them from spinning like a wheel stud).

[dwcsr]

Moog sells upper shafts that are about a 1/2" off set.

[mr mike]

Moog.... I don't know that one any one got a link.

[mr48chev]

Mike, this might be the time to take the truck to a professional who as Scoti said, knows how to work on modified suspensions.

If you take a look at the upper A arm there is a shaft across the back of it that has two bolts through it that come out from the frame. behind the shaft on each bolt should be a stack of shims.
They probably won't be even as those shims are used to adjust camber and caster depending on how you install them.

Now look at the ends of the studs sticking out of the nuts that hold the control arm shaft to the frame. How much of the threaded end is sticking out of the nut on each one?

By adding an even number of shims behind each side of the shaft you can gain positive camber. You can probably bring it out enough to gain a couple of degrees. If you do add shims, make sure that the nuts are tight after you add the shims as they will come loose if you don't get them tight enough.

If you can't gain enough camber there you will need the offset shafts and or the longer studs.

Even if you do manage to gain the camber on your own you will need to take the truck to an alignment shop that can set all the adjustments right so it is probably just as well to take it to them in the first place.

[mr mike]

Yup I am going to wash my hands of it and just take it and drop it off thanks for all the help

[leddzepp]

Will an alignment shop pull off the upper a-arms and add shims? This sounds like a lot of added expense to the labor if so. Just wondering what the cost might be?

[AusTx68]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Will an alignment shop pull off the upper a-arms and add shims? This sounds like a lot of added expense to the labor if so. Just wondering what the cost might be?

Shouldn't need to remove the a-arms. The shims are U shaped and can be dropped in after loosening the nuts.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by AusTx68

Shouldn't need to remove the a-arms. The shims are U shaped and can be dropped in after loosening the nuts.

Gotcha! I can do that myself, and then take it in for a toe alignment if I cannot find a shop that will add shims. All shops I called either did not do it, and one said it would cost a lot more if he had to do it (did not specify the amount)

[SCOTI]

A business that only does alignments may not be set up to replace the studs. A shop that does front end rebuilds will.

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Gotcha! I can do that myself, and then take it in for a toe alignment if I cannot find a shop that will add shims. All shops I called either did not do it, and one said it would cost a lot more if he had to do it (did not specify the amount)

Originally Posted by SCOTI

A business that only does alignments may not be set up to replace the studs. A shop that does front end rebuilds will.

SCOTI is right that they may not be able to replace the studs but if an alignment shop says they don't normally add shims, keep looking.

[DavidB]

Most will charge an extra half hour per side plus shims. Expect to pay $150-$200.

[kev2809]

how would you know how many shims to add? keep adding 2 per side and drop the truck until it straightens up, if not, jack it back up and add more?

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by kev2809

how would you know how many shims to add? keep adding 2 per side and drop the truck until it straightens up, if not, jack it back up and add more?

The generally accepted way is to use an alignment machine.

[LkyDevilz72]

KEV. That's about it. Just keep adding till it looks good, then after you are satisfied with it you can take a wax pencil or crayon and put a mark across the thread of your tire then drive it about fifty feet then check the mark again. If the mark is only coming off the inner edge you need to add more shims. Depending on how well you mark it, you might need to drive a little farther but you get the point.

[unclewatts]

This is why people buy drop spindles!

[ripdog28]

Tubular control arms correct the allignment issue with dropped front ends. You do not need to keep adding a shim at a time and drop it. You measure the top and bottom of the tire (hard with a motor in) then correct the top end by adding # of shims for the diffrence. IMO go with Tubulars.

[Smallz72project]

Well everyone has hit the nail on the head. Im an alignment tech for Les Schwab and have aligned alot of these trucks of all stances and all types of front ends from a Nova ll to Mustang. +1 on the tubular control arms and drop spindles. My shop only charges 54.95 for a front end alignment..shims included is an extra $20 or so per side and really doesnt take much longer. Unless you have some alignment tools get get actual readings and not just eyeballing it, I would recommend taking it to your local trusted alignment shop where they can set up on it with a machine. There is alot more to it then just adding a shim and setting it back down until your tire looks straight up and down. You have to take into account what your castor is doing...perhaps you need to add 3/8s to the front and only 1/8 to the rear...or vice versa, but you wont know until you can get honest live readings.