Too low for the alignment rack - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ZKinZ · 06-08-2010, 10:59 AM

I installed my ECE 4/5 drop kit on Sunday and today I took it in for an alignment and they said it's too low to drive onto the alignment rack.
How did you guys get an alignment after lowering? I didn't think it was THAT low, but apparently it is.

BossHogg69 · 06-08-2010, 11:06 AM

Find another shop! - this is just speculation, but they just may not want to try and align a lowered truck. I've had some slammed static drops on a few different trucks and never had a problem with anyone getting it on an alignment rack.

ZKinZ · 06-08-2010, 11:12 AM

I found a local shop who seems like they do this sort of thing pretty regularly. I'd rather go to a locally owned business anyway.

http://www.hooverwheelalignment.com/

caja_larga · 06-08-2010, 11:31 AM

they do not want to do it. Find someone else.

orange72c10 · 06-08-2010, 12:46 PM

I know that a lot of the guys around here won't touch our trucks. Maybe a different place would be more helpfull to you. I would think that a lot of cars are lower than our trucks so I think that they are trying to get you to go somewhere else.

dznucks · 06-08-2010, 12:49 PM

i agree ^^^

they could have gotten in on the rack by using boards to get the front up before it hit the rack. they just dont want to mess with it.

jhwkns · 06-08-2010, 01:13 PM

You can't really blame them for not wanting to work on your altered suspension. They could have told you so though. Check with a speed shop in your area. They should be able to recommend someone.

mr mike · 06-08-2010, 03:33 PM

just bring some good planks with you. That what i did lol

72BlckButy · 06-08-2010, 03:56 PM

My GM dealer was able to do it without any issues... IMO, look at another shop.

Crazyz28 · 06-08-2010, 05:44 PM

Getting a lowered truck like yours on a rack would be easy with boards. Hell, I can get my '94 Z28 that only has about 3" of ground clearance on a normal alignment rack. They just don't want to do it cause aligning lowered cars is alot more time consuming than a simple "toe-and-go" alignment." There are also specialty shops that have alignment lifts that are built into the ground (had one in my GM ASEP class), so a car with .5" ground clearance could drive right on with no issue.

Crazy

**yote1234** · 06-08-2010, 05:50 PM

stack 2x4 boards before the rack..

bigguy69 · 06-08-2010, 07:47 PM

my truck is lowered 4/6 and the shop that aligned said no problem. great people to do business with. i think you need another shop.

Mike J · 06-08-2010, 07:58 PM

yep, we just use some long 2x6s to get low stuff on our rack at work. they just didnt wanna mess with it.

big_al_71 · 06-08-2010, 08:15 PM

Definetly find another shop mine sits pretty low up front and it went on my aligment rack without any problems at all.

**truckdude239** · 06-08-2010, 08:28 PM

The shop i use had the aligment racks in a pit so the ramps a level with the ground

Secret Squirrel · 06-09-2010, 01:33 AM

First shop ( big name brand store ) I took my 69 said altered suspension (i.e. lowered) was more $$$. So I found a mom and pop shop who did it for regular rate.

72BlckButy · 06-09-2010, 02:33 PM

I'm telling you... Chevy Dealership ($49.95 or $59.95 can't recall), no boards needed to load it on the rack. Money (safely) well spent IMO.

06-08-2010, 10:59 AM	#1
ZKinZ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 40	Too low for the alignment rack I installed my ECE 4/5 drop kit on Sunday and today I took it in for an alignment and they said it's too low to drive onto the alignment rack. How did you guys get an alignment after lowering? I didn't think it was THAT low, but apparently it is. Attached Images __________________ ~Zack '71 Chevy C10 LWB '01 Harley Softail

06-08-2010, 11:06 AM	#2
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: Too low for the alignment rack Find another shop! - this is just speculation, but they just may not want to try and align a lowered truck. I've had some slammed static drops on a few different trucks and never had a problem with anyone getting it on an alignment rack. __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

06-08-2010, 11:12 AM	#3
ZKinZ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 40	Re: Too low for the alignment rack I found a local shop who seems like they do this sort of thing pretty regularly. I'd rather go to a locally owned business anyway. http://www.hooverwheelalignment.com/ __________________ ~Zack '71 Chevy C10 LWB '01 Harley Softail

06-08-2010, 11:31 AM	#4
caja_larga Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tucson, Az Posts: 172	Re: Too low for the alignment rack they do not want to do it. Find someone else.

06-08-2010, 12:46 PM	#5
orange72c10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York Posts: 153	Re: Too low for the alignment rack I know that a lot of the guys around here won't touch our trucks. Maybe a different place would be more helpfull to you. I would think that a lot of cars are lower than our trucks so I think that they are trying to get you to go somewhere else. __________________ 1964 volkswagon, dune buggy 1972 cehvy c 10 with 48000 miles original, bought brand new by my grandfather 1978 chevy elcamino

06-08-2010, 12:49 PM	#6
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Too low for the alignment rack i agree ^^^ they could have gotten in on the rack by using boards to get the front up before it hit the rack. they just dont want to mess with it.

06-08-2010, 01:13 PM	#7
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Re: Too low for the alignment rack You can't really blame them for not wanting to work on your altered suspension. They could have told you so though. Check with a speed shop in your area. They should be able to recommend someone. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

06-08-2010, 03:33 PM	#8
mr mike Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: pa Posts: 352	Re: Too low for the alignment rack just bring some good planks with you. That what i did lol __________________ the truck click the link.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361168

06-08-2010, 03:56 PM	#9
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Too low for the alignment rack My GM dealer was able to do it without any issues... IMO, look at another shop. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

06-08-2010, 05:44 PM	#10
Crazyz28 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 68	Re: Too low for the alignment rack Getting a lowered truck like yours on a rack would be easy with boards. Hell, I can get my '94 Z28 that only has about 3" of ground clearance on a normal alignment rack. They just don't want to do it cause aligning lowered cars is alot more time consuming than a simple "toe-and-go" alignment." There are also specialty shops that have alignment lifts that are built into the ground (had one in my GM ASEP class), so a car with .5" ground clearance could drive right on with no issue. Crazy __________________ '72 Chevy Longbed 327 w/ 3 on the Floor-soon to be DD '71 GMC Longbed (originally bought project, now parts truck for '72) '94 Camaro Z28 cam/exhaust/gears '02 Chevy Impala-DD for now -Ryan, GM Master Technician

06-08-2010, 05:50 PM	#11
yote1234 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gold Canyon Arizona Posts: 4,330	Re: Too low for the alignment rack stack 2x4 boards before the rack.. __________________ 1971 K5 CST Blazer 1965 Chevelle Malibu 283 (sadly sold) 1968 Camaro 327 1968 Honda mini-trail z50a #377 1966 uh 1-D Huey

06-08-2010, 07:47 PM	#12
bigguy69 dazed and confused Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: marion nc Posts: 1,649	Re: Too low for the alignment rack my truck is lowered 4/6 and the shop that aligned said no problem. great people to do business with. i think you need another shop. __________________ members met: redbaron69, billsbowtie,nc67

06-08-2010, 07:58 PM	#13
Mike J vw guy & now c-10 guy Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Louisville,KY Posts: 483	Re: Too low for the alignment rack yep, we just use some long 2x6s to get low stuff on our rack at work. they just didnt wanna mess with it. __________________ '68 long fleet Finally made some progress on the build!!! My Build Thread

06-08-2010, 08:15 PM	#14
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Too low for the alignment rack Definetly find another shop mine sits pretty low up front and it went on my aligment rack without any problems at all. __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

06-08-2010, 08:28 PM	#15
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,233	Re: Too low for the alignment rack The shop i use had the aligment racks in a pit so the ramps a level with the ground __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube



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06-09-2010, 01:33 AM	#16
Secret Squirrel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cheyenne Wy Posts: 208	Re: Too low for the alignment rack First shop ( big name brand store ) I took my 69 said altered suspension (i.e. lowered) was more $$$. So I found a mom and pop shop who did it for regular rate. __________________ ________________________ 72 Olds Cutlass w/442 option 69 C-10 Short Bed Fleet 1960 Biscayne Wagon/El Camino 1995 YJ 4.0 SOA SYE on 35s 01 Excursion Limited 7.3 PSD 06 Suzuki DRZ 400S

06-09-2010, 02:33 PM	#17
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Too low for the alignment rack I'm telling you... Chevy Dealership ($49.95 or $59.95 can't recall), no boards needed to load it on the rack. Money (safely) well spent IMO. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.