Teraflex leveling kit install

[SamJ3]

Kept the OEM control arms and no issues, did do an alignment though considering how much I messed with the front end to get them in.

As "Chasm" said, 'Need' is subjective. I installed this Teraflex leveling kit with zero issues on the 'stock' Gladiator. Still using the original LCAs, and the ride and stance very good. I did get the alignment to check the toe-in, camber and castor, and to adjust the steering wheel centering. Note that only toe-in and wheel centering can be adjusted; camber and caster are not adjustable with factory arms. I know I could have adjusted the wheel centering and toe-in at home, but I wanted to put the whole thing on an alignment rig just to be sure that nothing was amiss. All good.

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[NY JT]

Installed at a local shop without issue. Completed the work and checked alignment with no issues. Love the look and the ride.

 

[blownbayou]

Did mine earlier this year..... Two things I had to do:
1) I had to us a ratchet strap to compress one of the springs (driver side due to where I had the block) to get it back into the truck. Then cut it... Better than missing a finger.
2) Had to use a ratchet strap to pull the traction bar back into line with the mount hole.

I also measured tread to tread to make sure my alignment was still on and it was

 

[Chasm]

No, camber is the word I was looking for. Caster is front to back rotation and should see very little change from a spring adjustment. Not 0, but negligible.
Camber changes as your suspension loads and unloads (push spring down top of tire leans in). Raising the ride height has the same effect as unloading the springs. (Top of tire leans out).
Well... Depending on the starting suspension geometry anyway.
The effect is a natural geometric effect from the two control arms having different centers of rotation so the direction and amount of change depends on the amount of alteration and the starting geometry. I'm not 100% familiar with jeep, but most trucks start with a slight downward slope on both arms.

 

[D_JT]

No, camber is the word I was looking for. Caster is front to back rotation and should see very little change from a spring adjustment. Not 0, but negligible.
Camber changes as your suspension loads and unloads (push spring down top of tire leans in). Raising the ride height has the same effect as unloading the springs. (Top of tire leans out).
Well... Depending on the starting suspension geometry anyway.
The effect is a natural geometric effect from the two control arms having different centers of rotation so the direction and amount of change depends on the amount of alteration and the starting geometry. I'm not 100% familiar with jeep, but most trucks start with a slight downward slope on both arms.

While you are correct, but thats with independent suspension. Solid axle suspension doesnt function that way. The "camber" never changes and cant be adjusted on a solid axle set up. You can only adjust toe and caster.

 

[SamJ3]

While you are correct, but thats with independent suspension. Solid axle suspension doesnt function that way. The "camber" never changes and cant be adjusted on a solid axle set up. You can only adjust toe and caster.

Correct again, but there is another caveat for us: caster is not adjustable on Jeeps unless aftermarket parts are installed, such as adjustable lower control arms (LCAs). (Increasing the lift should slightly increase the caster favorably, even when using factory LCAs.). The net net is a typical Gladiator alignment just adjusts toe-in and steering wheel center.

 

[D_JT]

Correct again, but there is another caveat for us: caster is not adjustable on Jeeps unless aftermarket parts are installed, such as adjustable lower control arms (LCAs). (Increasing the lift should slightly increase the caster favorably, even when using factory LCAs.). The net net is a typical Gladiator alignment just adjusts toe-in and steering wheel center.

Correct. I guess I should have made that clear that you would need adjustable control arms to adjust caster. But a lift with stock control arms would decrease caster making it unfavorable. You would be pivoting the axle forward causing the knuckles to be closer to 0 degrees, depending on the lift hight.

 

[SamJ3]

Correct. I guess I should have made that clear that you would need adjustable control arms to adjust caster. But a lift with stock control arms would decrease caster making it unfavorable. You would be pivoting the axle forward causing the knuckles to be closer to 0 degrees, depending on the lift hight.

I stand corrected. Yes, lifting the axle alters the castor, but not favorably. (I was mentally assuming the control arms pivoted upon the same center, and that is not the reality.) I understand that the 'ideal' castor range for mild lifts is 5.5-6.0 degrees positive. (Fortunately, in my case - 1.5 Teraflex on JT Sport with a winch - measured at 5.5 degrees. I lucked out. )

 

[Chasm]

but thats with independent suspension. Solid axle suspension doesnt function that way.

Yep... I forgot that part. Haven't had 4x4 in 20 years, can you tell?
Sorry for the wrong info.

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