Been to 2 places and I can't get a decent alignment on my 94 Ranger

[BrightCalypsoGreen]

My Ranger is back on the road after being put to pasture many years ago. For some reason the alignment is not right. I replaced the shocks front and rear and had the wheel bearings replaced but I've been to two alignment shops in my town and neither could get a decent alignment. The first place as a joke. It was worse than when I took it in. The 2nd place was a big improvement, and as long as I'm on flat good roads. But if I get on rutted or bad roads the front end is all over the place. The 2nd placed added "a kit" to align it ($300!!!) but it's still not right on rutted roads (I'm not talking about off road/dirt, just potholes and ruts in the paved roads.)

Why is it so hard to get a decent alignment?

I was under the truck and that I can tell nothing is worn so bad that I can visually see it. I can grab the tires, try to move or shake them, and they don't move, and the same thing with the tie road ends, etc. The ONLY thing I can see/feel is on the passenger side, there is a strut that goes from the frame up to one of the suspension arms and it runs right by the collector of the header and it looks like it could be melted a little. It looks a little shiny. So maybe that is it. But if it's not, what else could it be? Both places said mechanically the suspension is fine. Nothing worn out.

The truck has 90K miles on it (I'm the original owner.)

Anyone recommend a great alignment shop in or around the Vegas area? Thanks.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Problem is no one knows how to align twin I beams anymore.

I would call around and specifically ask if anyone there knows twin I beams. If they reply "uh what?" Hang up and call the next place.

 

[rumblecloud]

What shocks did you use for replacements?
From your descriptions, it sounds like your issue is not with the alignment but with control on rutted roads.
That said, What Rusty said is very true.
It also sounds like the second shop used adjustable bushings, which helps make alignment more accurate - if they know what they're doing.

 

[ericbphoto]

So, here's the deal. See link below. As mentioned above, TIB /TTB isn't very common. So almost nobody knows what to do with it. If you can find someone who truly wants to help, have them read this article and some of the others in our tech library to get an understanding of this setup. There are those of us around here who can do that alignment in an hour in our driveway and have it right. I'd be willing to help. But by the time you travel to SC or buy my trip to Vegas, it's a pretty expensive deal.

Steering Tech - Discussing TTB Steering and Alignment - The Ranger Station

How it’s supposed to work (and why it often doesn’t work like so) Steering continues to be one of the most overlooked, often misunderstood pitfalls on these suspensions, so I felt this subject deserves it’s very own page. As … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You know...just a random thought....

Try calling a place that wrenches on motorhomes. E series cutaways (the basis for 90% of class C motorhomes) still run I beams.

Might help, might not.

EDIT-

So do 2wd superduties. Maybe the dealer? As painful as that would be

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Maybe an off road shop or frame alignment shop?

Our local 4wheelparts does most of the alignments for the local off road guys.

I have a guy down the street that is savvy...nice new rack, clean shop... they are out there.

 

[BrightCalypsoGreen]

Thank you all, I will do as you say and call around. Yes I did read that article it was very good and why I posted here. Most definitely the most knowledgeable site for Ford trucks on the net.

As for shocks, I installed the Bilsteins. (B6-4600, no lift) I had to wait over a year to get them. That Hooligans place ripped me off. I paid for front and rear but they only sent the fronts. So I had to get the rear off Amazon.

 

[Shran]

Is this a new issue or are you just used to driving modern vehicles that handle better? Asking because you say your truck was put out to pasture for some time........ I leave my '88 at work sometimes for days at a time and drive the company truck, a 2017 Dodge. Getting back into the Ranger after even a few days is like switching to a covered wagon, the ride quality is horrible but it is what it is for that time period.

 

[BrightCalypsoGreen]

I have many vehicles from the 1960's to modern times. I know of what you speak. But this is definitely not right. On some roads the Ranger is just scary as hell. I drove it for 10 years before retiring it. Never had this problem before. But your thoughts are valid.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I have many vehicles from the 1960's to modern times. I know of what you speak. But this is definitely not right. On some roads the Ranger is just scary as hell. I drove it for 10 years before retiring it. Never had this problem before. But your thoughts are valid.

I live in michigan, pothole capital. My rangers never felt scary over even the worst roads. Id say you got an issue for sure

 

[ericbphoto]

I live in michigan, pothole capital. My rangers never felt scary over even the worst roads. Id say you got an issue for sure

You might have a high tolerance for "scary".

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You might have a high tolerance for "scary".

I mean...i would say im above average yes. But the ranger doesnt feel any more unsafe over bad roads then anything else ive driven...just..different

 

[BrightCalypsoGreen]

When I say "scary as hell" I mean as I'm hitting ruts or potholes the truck will pull left or right (no pattern, just seems to be random) instantly and I have to very quickly correct it or I'll be out of my lane. It's true white knuckle driving. On the interstate where it's mostly flat and decent it drives pretty well. About what you'd expect out of a 1990's vehicle, just about as Shran would expect. But on local roads or state routes where the roads are not as well maintained, it's a real handful.

From my experience that means something is worn out, but that I can tell I can't find any slop in the suspension. I don't have a lift so that might be why.

 

[ericbphoto]

When I say "scary as hell" I mean as I'm hitting ruts or potholes the truck will pull left or right (no pattern, just seems to be random) instantly and I have to very quickly correct it or I'll be out of my lane. It's true white knuckle driving. On the interstate where it's mostly flat and decent it drives pretty well. About what you'd expect out of a 1990's vehicle, just about as Shran would expect. But on local roads or state routes where the roads are not as well maintained, it's a real handful.

From my experience that means something is worn out, but that I can tell I can't find any slop in the suspension. I don't have a lift so that might be why.

The caster and toe adjustments have a lot to do with that.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

When I say "scary as hell" I mean as I'm hitting ruts or potholes the truck will pull left or right (no pattern, just seems to be random) instantly and I have to very quickly correct it or I'll be out of my lane. It's true white knuckle driving. On the interstate where it's mostly flat and decent it drives pretty well. About what you'd expect out of a 1990's vehicle, just about as Shran would expect. But on local roads or state routes where the roads are not as well maintained, it's a real handful.

From my experience that means something is worn out, but that I can tell I can't find any slop in the suspension. I don't have a lift so that might be why.

Just curious...when you checked stuff did you have the wheels in the air? The weight of the truck will make shit feel tight when its not.