I was monkeying with my '74 2WD front suspension the other day (installing an inner tie-rod) and think I might have too much toe-out now because the truck is a bit squirrely and figety while driving straight.

What is the best way to rectify this issue without going to an alignment shop and spending $? I tried measuring with a tape measure the front edge of the tires and the back edge of the tires and comparing the two, but the frame of the truck was in the way of getting a good reading...

Also, what is the correct amount of toe-in needed on these trucks?

 

First of all with the Twin I-Beam it needs to be loaded the same as it usually is when driving. Have someone about the same weight as yourself sit in the drivers seat and otherwise load the truck the same as when you drive it. Put it on level ground.

Raise each front wheel one at a time in a position so that you can turn the wheel by hand. Use a pair of vise grips or C Clamp and clamp a nail to a jackstand and put it in place such that you can scribe a line on the tread all the way around as you turn the wheel. This will give you a good measuring surface that does away with the error of tire lateral runout.

After both tires are scribed, lower the vehicle and roll it about six or eight feet either direction to let the tires and suspension settle in.

Measure with a tape measure about 6 or 8 inches above ground between the two marks and note the measurement. Then go to the same height on the tires at the back and measure again. Adjust your tie rods until the rear measurement is the same as the front. If you have bias ply tires, make the rear measurement about 1/16" longer than the front.

This will set your toe, which is the most important setting for tire wear. If the vehicle doesn't drive right, you will probably have to save up and go to the alignment shop.

Good luck,
Doc
ASE Master

 

Thanks Doc!

So these trucks don't get any toe-in at all?

(tires = 33" BFG AT's)

 

Search garage & workshop forum. Enter [turn table] Go to alignment tool thread.

 

your better off measuring from rotor to rotor,its really difficult to get a good measurement from a tire, i just changed my entire steering assembly not long ago, when i put it back together i missunderstood what someone told me about toe in and messed it all up, now my brand new tires are worn out around the outter edge, the truck wouldnt drive straight and i thought i was gonna run off the road...i went to my friends house and he showed me how to do it right....we put the truck on jack stands making sure to have the suspension supporting the truck...removed the wheels, then measured from the front of each rotor, then the back of each rotor...like he said i set it at 1/16th toe in, tightened it up and now it drives almost like a new truck...it pulls slightly right, but the tires arent fighting against themselves anymore.....the only way to get it 100% correct is to go to an alignment shop with the proper computer that can figure out the bumpsteer and all that........good luck..........