Alignment
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 90
Likes: 11
Alignment
Hi all I have a 1997 f250 4x4 diesel and am wanting to buy a diy alignment tool and am wondering if tire swivel plates will be strong enough for it the ones I am looking at are 2000# rated per plate if anyone has tried them will they work ok other vehicles are lighter Tia
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 90
Likes: 11
could you do caster camber also
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,014
Likes: 206
From: SoCal
You can check toe with the angle irons and static camber using the hub level gauge, but you need the plates to check caster.
Trending Topics
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 673
Likes: 376
TTB caster changes 10 degrees whenever the wind changes anyways. I wouldnt sweat that setting.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,014
Likes: 206
From: SoCal
I worked for Ford's EEC department back in 1979, and once I was in one of the garages prepping my car for a track test when I heard this really loud banging coming from a couple of stalls from mine. I looked over to see an E-van up on the lift, a mechanic had a torch in one hand and a sledge hammer in the other. He would heat something underneath for a little bit, then pound it with the hammer, sending sparks every where. I asked a nearby mechanic what that first guy was doing. The second guy said he was trying to adjust the front end alignment; that's how you do it on the twin I-beam suspension, heat and bend the beams. I asked if they shouldn't be using a rack or gauges? He said they come off the assembly line so far off that you can make huge improvements just by eyeballing it.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,725
Likes: 1,496
To answer the original question: I think 2,000 per swivel plate would be pushing it. Best bet would be to go weigh it at a CAT scale. When you do, I'd bet it weighs 3,980 or 4,200 or something like that on the front. If it is 3,980, would you want to be that close to the limit of the swivel plates? Probably not. It would be much better to have swivel plates that are rated 3,000 pounds or more.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rustyleerusk
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jun 26, 2014 11:30 PM
chrisdiesel250
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jan 14, 2008 05:10 AM
