Posted By: bad543dart
front end alignment - 01/27/11 04:13 AM
Someone have the specs for a drag race alignment its a 69 dodge dart with a big block thanks. 
front end alignment
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 04:27 AM
I'm not a drag racer but I think you'd want the toe in and the camber both to be near zero for the least rolling resistance
Posted By: WILD BILL
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 04:41 AM
With drivers race ready weight in the car and the car raised 1" or so to simulate down track body lift at speed
Camber, 0 to -.5 degrees, the same on both sides if possible. (if not, as little split as poss)
Caster, as much as you can get. Again, keep the split as close to 0 as poss.
Toe, 1/16th " in on each side for a total of 1/8" toe in.
This is of course after ride height is set and the rear end/thrust angle is set if possible.
Camber, 0 to -.5 degrees, the same on both sides if possible. (if not, as little split as poss)
Caster, as much as you can get. Again, keep the split as close to 0 as poss.
Toe, 1/16th " in on each side for a total of 1/8" toe in.
This is of course after ride height is set and the rear end/thrust angle is set if possible.
Posted By: cjs69mope
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 05:08 AM
Always start in the rear and adjust caster ,camber ,toe in that order and resett toe after any camber or caster changes before taking a sweep .
Posted By: bad543dart
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 05:13 AM
Thanks any advice is greatly appreciated. The car will be goin to a local shop so i needed to know where to start. 
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 05:24 AM
Welcome aboard & I would have the UCA cam bolt nuts and the LCA tapered shaft nuts barely snug then set your weight in barbells in the dr seat then the ride height where you want it (jounce it after each adj) then when it's at the shop pull the weights back over to the dr seat b 4 after you drive it on the rack. Tell them to leave the ride height (tbars) where it's at & when they are done & tightening everything to esp tighten the UCA cam bolt nuts TIGHT
Posted By: WILD BILL
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 05:32 AM
My apologies,
I didn't realize you were a new member
I am a drag raceer and I do alignments for a living
I didn't realize you were a new member
I am a drag raceer and I do alignments for a living
Posted By: Sport440
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 06:23 AM
Quote:
With drivers race ready weight in the car and the car raised 1" or so to simulate down track body lift at speed
Camber, 0 to -.5 degrees, the same on both sides if possible. (if not, as little split as poss)
Caster, as much as you can get. Again, keep the split as close to 0 as poss.
Toe, 1/16th " in on each side for a total of 1/8" toe in.
This is of course after ride height is set and the rear end/thrust angle is set if possible.
What are your thoughts on a Heavy Cement truck/Oil rig. More toe in. Those are my thoughts. Sorry for the Hijack. But it does apply to the concept to toe in., mike
Posted By: WILD BILL
Re: front end alignment - 01/27/11 06:55 AM
Quote:
What are your thoughts on a Heavy Cement truck/Oil rig. More toe in. Those are my thoughts. Sorry for the Hijack. But it does apply to the concept to toe in., mike
Ya know Mike, Heavy equipment isn't really my forte
But I would think that since they are mostly run loaded down it would be better to align it loaded.
It would really depend on just how much the chassis settles when loaded as to happens to the toe angles. It may not change at all.
Posted By: Sport440
Re: front end alignment - 01/28/11 03:50 AM
Quote:Quote:
What are your thoughts on a Heavy Cement truck/Oil rig. More toe in. Those are my thoughts. Sorry for the Hijack. But it does apply to the concept to toe in., mike
Ya know Mike, Heavy equipment isn't really my forte
But I would think that since they are mostly run loaded down it would be better to align it loaded.
It would really depend on just how much the chassis settles when loaded as to happens to the toe angles. It may not change at all.
Thanks for the input,
I aqree. mike 
Posted By: WILD BILL
Re: front end alignment - 01/28/11 05:18 AM
Was that a test of my alignment knowledge
Posted By: Sport440
Re: front end alignment - 01/28/11 06:44 AM
Quote:
Was that a test of my alignment knowledge
No just your thoughts about the heavier vehicals. Im sure your alignment knowledge is fine. Im helping refurbish a "Complete Overhaul" on a Cement truck chassis to a oil/swab rig conversion that was converted by a Texas company over 30 years ago.
My job was the electrical, but was asked about the front end toe alignment. The owner stated that the front caster and camber were fixed. But asked if I knew how to set the toe on such a custom rig.
My thoughts were on a heavy vehical like this maybe a little extra toe in would be better.
The owner pointed the tires forward and bolted up the tierods.
The tires are 48" tall and the max speed of the vehical is around 55 MPH+
IMO, after the initial adjustment Road manners may dictate the final adjustment. mike
Posted By: rbstroker
Re: front end alignment - 01/28/11 01:17 PM
Anybody ever use one of the home alignment tools that are available on ebay and other places? With the cost of alignments, if they work, it seems that they would pay for themselves quickly.
Posted By: Todd
Re: front end alignment - 01/28/11 02:13 PM
If you have the basic understanding of alignment angles,a smart level, string and tape measure will get you real close. 
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: front end alignment - 01/28/11 03:03 PM
Quote:
Anybody ever use one of the home alignment tools that are available on ebay and other places? With the cost of alignments, if they work, it seems that they would pay for themselves quickly.
Yes I have on both my cars now and have driven them alot with no problems or weird tire wear. I can now recheck my work and make sure nothing changed and it hasn't. WELL WORTH THE MONEY TO ME!!!
My alinement rack!! LOL I still park on top of my swivel plates each night, helps me park in the same place.
Posted By: pressureangle
Re: front end alignment - 01/29/11 04:47 AM
Quote:Quote:
Was that a test of my alignment knowledge
Im helping refurbish a "Complete Overhaul" on a Cement truck chassis to a oil/swab rig conversion that was converted by a Texas company over 30 years ago.
My job was the electrical, but was asked about the front end toe alignment. The owner stated that the front caster and camber were fixed. But asked if I knew how to set the toe on such a custom rig.
My thoughts were on a heavy vehical like this maybe a little extra toe in would be better.
The owner pointed the tires forward and bolted up the tierods.
The tires are 48" tall and the max speed of the vehical is around 55 MPH+
IMO, after the initial adjustment Road manners may dictate the final adjustment. mike
Heavy truck suspension *is* my forte...I assume this is a straight-axle rig, no front wheel drive? Camber is built into the axle, but caster is adjusted with wedge shims between the spring and axle. With 48" tall tires, you're going to like a bunch of caster, 7-10*. Set toe last, and set to the minimum of spec-the more caster you have, the farther up from horizontal the closest points on the tires so less measured toe.
Honestly on something that big and slow, your toe can be all over the place and you may not notice. I'd spec the axle, or just go 1/8" and watch the tires over time.
Posted By: Exit1965
Re: front end alignment - 01/29/11 06:28 AM
Quote:
Anybody ever use one of the home alignment tools that are available on ebay and other places? With the cost of alignments, if they work, it seems that they would pay for themselves quickly.
I used this caster/camber gauge,
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/product/1934/Caster_Camber_Gauges
and, my memory is going, so I can't remember if I actually used it (might have tried it then went old-school) but I have the harbor freight toe checker.
I tried masonite for the swivel plates but switched to floor tiles (grease between them either way) and that worked better. Was done in a couple of hours, my first time trying it, and I was surprised how well my car (67 Dart big block) drives and steers, which seems perfect.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: front end alignment - 01/29/11 12:33 PM
I used steel for my swivel plates, will last forever and like I said I still park on top of them.
Posted By: Sport440
Re: front end alignment - 02/03/11 03:01 AM
Quote:Quote:Quote:
Was that a test of my alignment knowledge
Im helping refurbish a "Complete Overhaul" on a Cement truck chassis to a oil/swab rig conversion that was converted by a Texas company over 30 years ago.
My job was the electrical, but was asked about the front end toe alignment. The owner stated that the front caster and camber were fixed. But asked if I knew how to set the toe on such a custom rig.
My thoughts were on a heavy vehical like this maybe a little extra toe in would be better.
The owner pointed the tires forward and bolted up the tierods.
The tires are 48" tall and the max speed of the vehical is around 55 MPH+
IMO, after the initial adjustment Road manners may dictate the final adjustment. mike
Heavy truck suspension *is* my forte...I assume this is a straight-axle rig, no front wheel drive? Camber is built into the axle, but caster is adjusted with wedge shims between the spring and axle. With 48" tall tires, you're going to like a bunch of caster, 7-10*. Set toe last, and set to the minimum of spec-the more caster you have, the farther up from horizontal the closest points on the tires so less measured toe.
Honestly on something that big and slow, your toe can be all over the place and you may not notice. I'd spec the axle, or just go 1/8" and watch the tires over time.
Thanks, Both you and Wild Bill.
I set it at a approximate fat 1/8" toe in. As it sat with the owners guess, it had a 3/8,s toe out.
Im going to check it again with it fully loaded. mike
Posted By: bad543dart
Re: front end alignment - 04/23/11 04:05 AM
Thanks im gonna tryi to get it alligned this weekend thanks for all the help
