Alignment or Just how jeeps are

[Earl 392]

Stock mine was allover the place...what I did to fix it for good.
1. Dropped tires to 32psi
2. Got an alignment (need it as it was off from factory)
3. Installed the Teraflex Falcon Nexus adjustable steering stabilizer (firm for long trips, you can actually take your hands off the steering wheel at 90mph
4. Installed Steer Smart brace

Yep me too running 32psi and Steersmarts brace with sector shaft bearing. Huge difference also MC control arms. Runs smooth very little driver input

 

[@JC]

The number one best upgrade for handling is the Mopar extended front LCAs IMO. They put the Mopar 2" lift on the 392 but kept the stock front LCAs, putting the correct ones one fixes most of the issues. Do I wish Jeep would have included adjustable power steering module like even the Grand Cherokee has? Yes I do, but swapping in the Fox ATS 2.0 (or Tereflex Falcon if you prefer) and tightening it up around 18-20 clicks is the next best option to really smooth out the steering. Getting rid of the craptastic factory BFGs is the next step in the handling food chain. There's no reason to get an "alignment" since the only setting you can change is toe and you can easily do that yourself in the driveway.

 

[saturnfire]

....After 4.5 HOURS!!! I am not kidding...and 2 alignment techs. They got the alignment sorted out. Now dead center and tracks straight.

 

[Earl 392]

....After 4.5 HOURS!!! I am not kidding...and 2 alignment techs. They got the alignment sorted out. Now dead center and tracks straight.

Tell me where that place is so I don’t go there

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

....After 4.5 HOURS!!! I am not kidding...and 2 alignment techs. They got the alignment sorted out. Now dead center and tracks straight.

What did they do exactly?

 

[saturnfire]

What did they do exactly?

they said the toe was out of spec and the steering wheel was not centered....eventually the machine had all green readings...It is done and done.

Went and got the Xpel ceramic tint installed and got the Go Rhino steps put on...now the wife can get in. with out a step stool. I am calling it a day.

 

[CAMEL2R]

The number one best upgrade for handling is the Mopar extended front LCAs IMO. They put the Mopar 2" lift on the 392 but kept the stock front LCAs, putting the correct ones one fixes most of the issues. Do I wish Jeep would have included adjustable power steering module like even the Grand Cherokee has? Yes I do, but swapping in the Fox ATS 2.0 (or Tereflex Falcon if you prefer) and tightening it up around 18-20 clicks is the next best option to really smooth out the steering. Getting rid of the craptastic factory BFGs is the next step in the handling food chain. There's no reason to get an "alignment" since the only setting you can change is toe and you can easily do that yourself in the driveway.

I've had BFGs on pretty much every 4x4 vehicle I've owned and they have never failed me or caused poor handling. So the camber is not adjustable? My front wheels are definitely angled inward compared to the rear...must be built-in.

 

[Earl 392]

I've had BFGs on pretty much every 4x4 vehicle I've owned and they have never failed me or caused poor handling. So the camber is not adjustable? My front wheels are definitely angled inward compared to the rear...must be built-in.

Angled in is toe in. Caster would be like the front wheels of a shopping . Toe in is adjustable so is castor with aftermarket control arms allowing you to move rotate the axel usually for a better drive line angle. There will be others who will chime in with possibly better explanations. Hopefully I understood your post correctly

 

[stumblinhorse]

I've had BFGs on pretty much every 4x4 vehicle I've owned and they have never failed me or caused poor handling. So the camber is not adjustable? My front wheels are definitely angled inward compared to the rear...must be built-in.

Toe is the only thing adjustable on a stock 392 or any wrangler. Looks like you have an AEV upgrade so no idea if they have adjustable components(LCAs, shimmed Ball joints etc) If so then the sky is the limit…

I don’t want to start a religious war about tires. But there is a reason why BFGs come on a lot of vehicles stock. It is not because they are the best tire…. It is because they are the lowest cost..

 

[CAMEL2R]

Toe is the only thing adjustable on a stock 392 or any wrangler. Looks like you have an AEV upgrade so no idea if they have adjustable components(LCAs, shimmed Ball joints etc) If so then the sky is the limit…

I don’t want to start a religious war about tires. But there is a reason why BFGs come on a lot of vehicles stock. It is not because they are the best tire…. It is because they are the lowest cost..

Mine has the 2.5" AEV w/ 8100s. It came with front LCA drop brackets and an adjustable shim for the proper lift height.

Hmmm $500+ a pop doesn't seem low priced. May I ask what you don't like about them? What am I missing?

 

[CAMEL2R]

Mine has the 2.5" AEV w/ 8100s. It came with front LCA drop brackets and an adjustable shim for the proper lift height.

Hmmm $500+ a pop doesn't seem low priced. May I ask what you don't like about them? What am I missing?

Wow, I just checked prices and they have come down quite a bit. Comparable with most all terrains in the same size (315/70 & 37x12.5).

 

[stumblinhorse]

Mine has the 2.5" AEV w/ 8100s. It came with front LCA drop brackets and an adjustable shim for the proper lift height.

Hmmm $500+ a pop doesn't seem low priced. May I ask what you don't like about them? What am I missing?

I have had prolly close to 20 sets of all/mud terrain tire since my first Jeep over 30 years ago. KO2s were the only ones that I had to return within my first 500 miles when 2 tires had treads completely fail and chunks come off. These were in the last 10 years. When I returned them the discount tire shop person said they get a few KO2s a year that fail like mine did.

 

[CAMEL2R]

I have had prolly close to 20 sets of all/mud terrain tire since my first Jeep over 30 years ago. KO2s were the only ones that I had to return within my first 500 miles when 2 tires had treads completely fail and chunks come off. These were in the last 10 years. When I returned them the discount tire shop person said they get a few KO2s a year that fail like mine did.

That's unfortunate. I had a balancing issue with a set of BFG Trail Terrain tires, two additional visits to Costco and they couldn't get them true. They gave a me discount on a set of KO2s and never looked back. I've owned 8 sets and never had an issue since. Decent off-road traction and they wear like iron.

 

[saturnfire]

That's unfortunate. I had a balancing issue with a set of BFG Trail Terrain tires, two additional visits to Costco and they couldn't get them true. They gave a me discount on a set of KO2s and never looked back. I've owned 8 sets and never had an issue since. Decent off-road traction and they wear like iron.

I agree I have never had any issues with KO's or Ko2...They were Factory on my 2002 Tacoma. I put them on my current vehicles. I have lost count...but right now they are on Our 392, Armada, and Sequoia....and When the TRX needs tires I will probably go Ko3

 

[@JC]

Didn't intend to turn this into a tire thread but I will say the factory KO2s aren't known for tracking true on road and are much louder than comparable brands especially as they wear. I swapped on Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 35s almost immediately after returning home from the long road trip back from Granger and the on road handling was noticeably better. The BFGs wanted to wander all over the lane during the maiden voyage while the Falkens go where you point them and still do 15k miles later.

 

[Bobo57]

Didn't intend to turn this into a tire thread but I will say the factory KO2s aren't known for tracking true on road and are much louder than comparable brands especially as they wear. I swapped on Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 35s almost immediately after returning home from the long road trip back from Granger and the on road handling was noticeably better. The BFGs wanted to wander all over the lane during the maiden voyage while the Falkens go where you point them and still do 15k miles later.

I have a stock 20th, and about 7000 miles on it. It has always tracked true and goes where I point it. Hands off tracking straight as an arrow without a worry.

 

[CAMEL2R]

Didn't intend to turn this into a tire thread but I will say the factory KO2s aren't known for tracking true on road and are much louder than comparable brands especially as they wear. I swapped on Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 35s almost immediately after returning home from the long road trip back from Granger and the on road handling was noticeably better. The BFGs wanted to wander all over the lane during the maiden voyage while the Falkens go where you point them and still do 15k miles later.

Haha...me either sorry folks. My Jeep tracks straight down the hwy, unless of course you hit a peak or rough road...it's still a solid front axle 4x4. I also like KO2s lighter weight @ 62 pounds per tire.