has any one done a front end alignment on a stock truck

[Caman96]

DIY Alignment videos

I've watched maybe ten videos on DIY alignment. Well maybe not all of them all the way through, and almost all of them seem to me to have basic problems. I've recently had a professional shop align my truck after I replaced ball joints, upper control arms, hubs, shocks, rag joint etc. But last...

www.gmt400.com

The search feature is easier than an alignment tool.

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[scott2093]

Last time I took my truck in to align they told me that my truck didn't have the cam bolts to adjust the camber that I came in for. What they must have meant was the knockouts were still in place, so off I went with $100 less in my pocket and camber still whacked on passenger side

At least they told you they couldn't do it. Shop that sent me on my way "completed" just didn't do it or say anything about it. I knew the cutouts were still in bc I had just replaced my suspension and forgot about them,,,, same shop forgot to tighten my tie rod sleeves and it hasn't been a fun journey $ince....

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

Good luck finding a “Pro”. Better yet a “Pro” with a calibrated alignment rack. So far in my neck of the woods the “Pro” is not experienced with the GMT400 when the geometry is so far off (not just Toe). Some of the alignment machines didn’t even have the specs built in for my truck.

Hi, I'm a pro in your neck of the woods. I drive a 400 and my machine has specs for current vehicles all the way back to the 60s.
When're you bringing me your truck?

 

[scott2093]

I drive a 400 and my machine has specs

Does it tell you to check z height first?..torque specs and proper position for tie rod sleeves...etc?

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

Does it tell you to check z height first?..torque specs and proper position for tie rod sleeves...etc?

It does, it also gives photo and video illustrations (if needed).

Torque specs? Nah. "Just shy of balls tight" are my specs.

As for the tie rod sleeves, I do it my way: pointed toward an accessible position. Meaning below the sleeve and parallel to the ground.

 

[JDGMC]

Hi, I'm a pro in your neck of the woods. I drive a 400 and my machine has specs for current vehicles all the way back to the 60s.
When're you bringing me your truck?

I won't mention any names as don't want to bad mouth a business if the tech is clueless. In at least one case I know their database hadn't been updated in a very long time. I do try to give the private shops business as opposed to the chains so there's that. So you actually take the time to measure the Z-height, frame angle etc. on older vehicles? It seems ride height has only recently become extremely important due to ADAS, but without radar, cameras etc, I don't believe anyone bothers - even if they had the correct information for a particular model vehicle.

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

I won't mention any names as don't want to bad mouth a business if the tech is clueless. In at least one case I know their database hadn't been updated in a very long time. I do try to give the private shops business as opposed to the chains so there's that. So you actually take the time to measure the Z-height, frame angle etc. on older vehicles? It seems ride height has only recently become extremely important due to ADAS, but without radar, cameras etc, I don't believe anyone bothers - even if they had the correct information for a particular model vehicle.

My shop outfits trucks with snow removal equipment. Many customers request torsion bar height increased, or leveling kits installed for such reasons.
I've made it a habit to check the ride height on all adjustable trucks (GMs, early 10 gen. Fords, 2nd gen. Dodge, etc) that come to my rack as step 3 of my routine suspension check. (Whew, that's finger cramping just to type!)

Step 1 being searching for loose FE parts, broken/sagged rear springs, step 2 is tire pressure.

 

[JDGMC]

You sound thorough as well as experienced with the older trucks. Please let me know the name of your shop. I’ll definitely give you some business. I have three GMT400’s and two 80’s C1500’s. Thanks.