While I had my truck backed into the garage this past weekend for front brake work, I noticed (while walking back from the mailbox) that it seemed to be sitting at an angle. I pulled out a tape measure and sure enough, measuring from the (presumably) level floor to a couple of different points on the front of the truck, it seems to sit about 1/2" higher on the driver's side than it does on the passenger's.

Is this normal, perhaps to account for the weight of a driver? Or is my truck wonky?

 

Could be those old, tired, saggy springs. Might measure the coils and see if one is compressing more than the other.

Another thing to look at (since you measured body height) is the old, cracked, squished body mount rubber.

Also, check your tire sizes and inflation pressure. My truck had different tire sizes on front when I bought it. Sometimes people just find any old tire and throw it on without making sure it's the same size. Tire size and proper rotation is extra important on 4x4 trucks.

 

Passenger side takes more hits from storm drains and the like.
It's not uncommon for that side to take a beating.

 

So it looks like everyone (all two of you...) is in agreement that the truck *should* sit level, yes?

 

Mostly. At least it shouldn't be too visible by looking at it. Also, take the wife out before measuring!

 

Yes, I think it *should* sit level.

 

Never eyeball these trucks after they are backed up and parked. Pull it forward and then park it and eyeball it. The TTB frontend end does weird things when it's backed up.

 

School me please

 

I can't explain what happens, but the tires will be all out of wack, lots of people have noticed it and we get a question once in awhile about it. It must be some interaction between the toe angle and the ttb arms.

 

What happens is that having toe-in means that as the truck moves forward the tires are trying to move closer together. The TTB suspension allows this to happen if the suspension extends a little. This also causes the camber to change, tipping the tops of the tires out a little. But no one notices this because driving forward is normal, so the alignment is set to be right when the truck drives forward.

But when the truck backs up the opposite happens. Toe-in makes the tires want to spread farther apart as the truck backs up, so the suspension compresses and the top of the tires lean in.

 

Presumably not an issue for those of us with 2wd trucks, correct?

 

Heh, that's funny. Mine slants slightly to the left if you look really closely.

 

Incorrect. The Twin I Beam suspension in the 2WD trucks works the same as the Twin Traction Beam in the 4WDs (except the 2WD rides better and has more travel, but the 4WD gets better traction)

 

Good to know, thanks. I suppose I will drive it forward into the garage and measure again.