Control Arm Help

[ospreyfe55]

First off, Merry Christmas to you all! So I got the Metalcloak LCAs as a gift along with the Trackbar/Steering Box brace but this post pertains to the LCAs. My current setup is is the MC 3.5 TDR kit. I am using the MC UCAs (Set @ 20”) and the Mopar Lift LCAs and my caster is 5.3/5.4 per that last alignment. I am trying to decide how to set up the newer LCAs. I see a lot of people suggesting to use the Clayton control arm measurements. (U=20.401”, L=24.500”) which they say is 5 degrees of castor Or set the CAs per MC suggestions (U=19.75”, L= 24.00”) which they say is 6 degrees of castor. Seems that Clayton’s measurements push the axle forward away from the cab compared to the MC settings.
I will also say I previously set my UCAs to give my 6.7/6.8 caster but I was experiencing some serious vibes after installing the Adam’s front driveshaft so I had to adjust until I minimized the vibes which is where is sits now at 5.3/5.4 degrees of caster.
Has anyone here with a 3.5” used the Clayton measurements and been happy with the settings?

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[DankjeeP]

First off, Merry Christmas to you all! So I got the Metalcloak LCAs as a gift along with the Trackbar/Steering Box brace but this post pertains to the LCAs. My current setup is is the MC 3.5 TDR kit. I am using the MC UCAs (Set @ 20”) and the Mopar Lift LCAs and my caster is 5.3/5.4 per that last alignment. I am trying to decide how to set up the newer LCAs. I see a lot of people suggesting to use the Clayton control arm measurements. (U=20.401”, L=24.500”) Or set the CAs per MC suggestions (U=19.75”, L= 24.00”).
I will also say I previously set my UCAs to give my 6.7/6.8 caster but I was experiencing some serious vibes after installing the Adam’s front driveshaft so I had to adjust until I minimized the vibes.
Has anyone here with a 3.5” used the Clayton measurements and been happy with the settings?

6.8 is kind of high, IIRC spec is 4* - 5.5*
I'm running Clayton 2.5" and last alignment set it to 5.8* from 6.8*, and it drives a little better.

 

[ospreyfe55]

6.8 is kind of high, IIRC spec is 4* - 5.5*
I'm running Clayton 2.5" and last alignment set it to 5.8* from 6.8*, and it drives a little better.

6.8 is kind of high, IIRC spec is 4* - 5.5*
I'm running Clayton 2.5" and last alignment set it to 5.8* from 6.8*, and it drives a little better.

Thank you. Are your control arms set per Clayton’s recommendation for the 2.5” lift?

 

[DankjeeP]

Thank you. Are your control arms set per Clayton’s recommendation for the 2.5” lift?

I can't say for certain, I had a shop do the lift.

 

[EZRider]

Thank you. Are your control arms set per Clayton’s recommendation for the 2.5” lift?

I have the Clayton 2.5” Overland Plus set to their specs and I have no complaints.

 

[ospreyfe55]

I have the Clayton 2.5” Overland Plus set to their specs and I have no complaints.

Thank you. Do you happen to know what your caster numbers were with the Clayton recommendations?

 

[EZRider]

Thank you. Do you happen to know what your caster numbers were with the Clayton recommendations?

I do not. I did a test drive after installing the lift and it drove with no issues so I have so far not taken it for an alignment. I’m going to take it in after a few more miles and have things checked. With the way it drives now, straight down the road and no wobbles or bad behaviors, I think everything is good.

 

[ospreyfe55]

I do not. I did a test drive after installing the lift and it drove with no issues so I have so far not taken it for an alignment. I’m going to take it in after a few more miles and have things checked. With the way it drives now, straight down the road and no wobbles or bad behaviors, I think everything is good.

Thank you for that information. I am sitting at 5.3/5.4 on the caster now with my current setting but trying to decide what I should do to get the caster closer to 6 degrees.

 

[Greg_L]

Thank you for that information. I am sitting at 5.3/5.4 on the caster now with my current setting but trying to decide what I should do to get the caster closer to 6 degrees.

It's not that important. If you're within half a degree or so and the L and R are within one degree of each other you will be 100% fine.

 

[EZRider]

Thank you for that information. I am sitting at 5.3/5.4 on the caster now with my current setting but trying to decide what I should do to get the caster closer to 6 degrees.

You should be able to find some threads from others that installed a Clayton lift and checked caster afterwards. Based on what I recall from others that did check, Clayton’s settings seem to result in correct caster.

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