When you lift your truck, it's highly advisable that you have the alignment checked and adjusted if needed. However, finding an alignment shop for lifted trucks can be challenging. Some motorists find themselves spending time and money at alignment shops only to drive off with issues that are noticeably still there and that the shop just can't seem to get right. Other motorists make calls around town only to never receive a call back or to be told "Sorry, we don't do alignments on lifted vehicles."
What gives? Why is it so difficult to find a good alignment shop for trucks with lift kits?
Several factors are at play:
Specialized Equipment & Expertise: Lifted trucks have different suspension geometries compared to stock vehicles. Aligning a lifted truck requires specialized equipment and trained technicians who are familiar with the intricacies of lifted suspensions. Not all alignment shops have the tools and expertise to perform accurate alignments on lifted trucks, so they don't perform this kind of work (or they give it a try and end up with angry customers).
Technical Complexity: Aligning a lifted truck is more complex due to factors like altered suspension angles, larger tires, and modified suspension components. Technicians need to take these modifications into account to make precise adjustments to ensure proper alignment. This complexity deters some alignment shops from working on lifted trucks.
Time & Labor: Aligning a lifted truck might take more time and labor compared to aligning a standard vehicle. The need for additional adjustments and potential challenges in accessing suspension components can result in longer service times. This might seem like a "win" for the shop (longer labor times tend to translate into greater profit) but the additional time might not be convenient for all alignment shops. It might mean taking care of less customers in a day.
Compatibility Issues: Lifted trucks come in various configurations, and not all alignment shops can accommodate different lift kit types, heights, and setups. This lack of compatibility can make it difficult to find a shop that caters to the specific needs of your lifted truck.
Regional Factors: The availability of alignment shops for lifted trucks can vary depending on your geographical location. Urban areas might have more options due to a larger customer base, while rural or less populated regions might have fewer choices.
While you might get lucky and end up with a truck that has its alignment in spec, it's not advisable to skip the alignment inspection. Tires, especially large tires with off-road benefits built into them, aren't exactly inexpensive. Poor alignment can ruin those tires in less than a thousand miles. Losing tires to the alignment is an expensive lesson, and it's not the only one. You're likely to notice issues with handling if the alignment isn't compatible with your lift.
Having your truck look the way you want isn't enough. It also has to drive right.
Big O Tires Victoria isn't afraid to perform wheel alignments on lifted vehicles. That's right! We install lift kits, and we perform alignments on lifted trucks, Jeeps, you name it! We've helped customers who have run into trouble with other shops when it comes to tire balancing and wheel alignments. But us? This is one of the services we do, and we do it well. So if you need a lift kit installer and/or alignment shop that specializes in lifted trucks and off-road vehicles, contact our team.
Send »
Please click anywhere to continue browsing our site.