OME Post-Install Problem (1 Viewer)

[BootsCUA]

OK. I got my OME lift installed. I had a few boughts of issues but it's done. Overall it looks great. BUT I cannot get the wheels set properly.

I went to two different places and I did get the wheels aligned, but they are NOT parallel to each other. They still form a "V" shape. I've attached a poor picture but hopefully you guys can see it well enough.

Both places said they cannot adjust the camber any further - thus the "V" shape. They both said it is within Toyota spec but I can clearly see the issue and I can feel it when I make turns (could just be imagining it since I am aware of the issue). The tires do not feel like they are carrying the weight properly.

Am I asking the wrong questions? Do I HAVE to install Total Chaos UCAs?

What specifically do I need to tell these guys, or am I f--ked? Help!

 

[uzj100]

How far are you from IPOR (Iron Pig Offroad) in VA? They could probably get your issue corrected quickly.

 

[BootsCUA]

About 1 1/2 hours. Good idea.

 

[macneill]

Great call UZJ. Those guys will set you up nice.

 

[smtyblt]

Just got your email, and there is definetly something not right. We have done these and they align beautifully. Give us a call and we can set up a time to look at it and check it out.

Does your cruiser have the KDSS swaybar system. If so that maybe part of your problem.

Call anyhow and we will discuss the problem at hand

Cam

GM Iron Pig Offroad

540-361-7400

 

[dtt255]

Yes something is defiantly wrong. Iron Pig can help you out I am sure.

About the KDSS, did you release the valves BEFORE you did any of the work?

If not, that is probably alot of your issue, but I am sure is Iron Pig can figure it out.

Keep us updated.

 

[JBHorne]

Yes something is defiantly wrong. Iron Pig can help you out I am sure.

About the KDSS, did you release the valves BEFORE you did any of the work?

If not, that is probably alot of your issue, but I am sure is Iron Pig can figure it out.

Keep us updated.

+1 on the KDSS system.

I'm installing my suspension by myself this weekend and will be sure to open the valve 3 turns first.

 

[BootsCUA]

I had it installed at the ARB dealer in Arlington, VA. I didn't have the time (or the patient wife) to do it myself. I went through the KDSS steps with the guys several times and made them call ARB first to get a walk through on it. I also took it into Toyota and had them reset the KDSS afterwards because it was still sitting off kilter (leaning right). Maybe the KDSS is so new that even the dealer has no clue how to service it?

I am going to give Cam a call and let everyone know.

 

[donjuanmiguel]

Timely post as I'm scheduling an install later this week with an ARB installer. They do all the lift kits for a local Toyota dealer but after talking with them I get the feeling this will be the first lc install with KDSS. The ARB rep asked if I had this system and when I said yes, he said they will supply detailed instructions for the installer. Additionally, the installer said they will work with ARB if they have questions. I'm nervous but like the fact they acknowledge the challenge and are willing to seek advice.

Meanwhile, I'd like to follow BootsCUA's experience. Please keep us posted.

 

[dtt255]

Any updates Boots?

 

[BootsCUA]

Sorry for the delay Guys. Here is where we are at.

Cam called last week and even though he would be out this week at Moab, he made arrangements for me to meet with Vince at IPOR first thing this morning. I really appreciate that Cam went out of his way to set that up.

Vince and I met this morning and he agreed that something didn’t look right relative to the “V” positioning of the front wheels (significant positive camber). If I am wrong on this, Vince will straighten me out. Vince then opened up the 2 hex nuts for the KDSS when the truck was on the ground and there was a very minor (almost no) change. He then put it up on the lift re-opened the hex nuts, let the wheels hang, dropped it down, let it rest on level ground and closed the hex nuts. Again, no real change. That left the two of us pretty certain that the issue was not related to the KDSS. We also noticed that the condition was worse on the driver’s side than it was on the passenger’s side.

That led us back to the front end alignment. Before I showed up today I had 2 separate alignments done post OME install – 1 with the dealer and 1 with Goodyear. In hindsight, both were crap. 1 only did thrust and 1 only did toe in. So I got screwed twice. Please learn by my mistakes.

So Vince called in a favor and got his alignment shop to take me in this morning. We drove over there and they got it mostly corrected. The shop adjusted the Camber as far as they could and the wheels are basically parallel. They are still a little bit off but they are damn close. To do this, the shop had to place the Caster slightly out of spec. The catch is that we have now fully adjusted the Camber on the Lower Control Arms and there is no further adjustment available. I am NOT an alignment guy, so if I make a mistake on this description I hope you guys can follow it.

While it essentially fixed the problem, we all thought this was less than ideal. Vince and I also discussed the fact that; his IPOR build (white LC200), DTT255’s, and Chimyz’ trucks did not have this problem, but they ALL had the Total Chaos Upper Control Arms installed prior to adding the OME lift. Our guess is that those UCAs compensated for this issue better than the stock UCAs.

I am going to look at adding them to mine as well. When I do, IPOR is going to do the work. I have never been treated so well as a customer. Vince is extremely knowledgeable, helpful and patient. I should have gone to their shop originally; it would have saved me a lot of time and money. BTW they also have a very cool shop. Thanks for the help Vince!

 

[JBHorne]

Sorry for the delay Guys. Here is where we are at.

Cam called last week and even though he would be out this week at Moab, he made arrangements for me to meet with Vince at IPOR first thing this morning. I really appreciate that Cam went out of his way to set that up.

Vince and I met this morning and he agreed that something didn’t look right relative to the “V” positioning of the front wheels (significant positive camber). If I am wrong on this, Vince will straighten me out. Vince then opened up the 2 hex nuts for the KDSS when the truck was on the ground and there was a very minor (almost no) change. He then put it up on the lift re-opened the hex nuts, let the wheels hang, dropped it down, let it rest on level ground and closed the hex nuts. Again, no real change. That left the two of us pretty certain that the issue was not related to the KDSS. We also noticed that the condition was worse on the driver’s side than it was on the passenger’s side.

That led us back to the front end alignment. Before I showed up today I had 2 separate alignments done post OME install – 1 with the dealer and 1 with Goodyear. In hindsight, both were crap. 1 only did thrust and 1 only did toe in. So I got screwed twice. Please learn by my mistakes.

So Vince called in a favor and got his alignment shop to take me in this morning. We drove over there and they got it mostly corrected. The shop adjusted the Camber as far as they could and the wheels are basically parallel. They are still a little bit off but they are damn close. To do this, the shop had to place the Caster slightly out of spec. The catch is that we have now fully adjusted the Camber on the Lower Control Arms and there is no further adjustment available. I am NOT an alignment guy, so if I make a mistake on this description I hope you guys can follow it.

While it essentially fixed the problem, we all thought this was less than ideal. Vince and I also discussed the fact that; his IPOR build (white LC200), DTT255’s, and Chimyz’ trucks did not have this problem, but they ALL had the Total Chaos Upper Control Arms installed prior to adding the OME lift. Our guess is that those UCAs compensated for this issue better than the stock UCAs.

I am going to look at adding them to mine as well. When I do, IPOR is going to do the work. I have never been treated so well as a customer. Vince is extremely knowledgeable, helpful and patient. I should have gone to their shop originally; it would have saved me a lot of time and money. BTW they also have a very cool shop. Thanks for the help Vince!

Thanks for the write up. This kinda scares me as I opted to stay away from the TC UCA's due to their high maintenance. I have not installed my OME kit yet...it's sitting at my house though. I going to call ARB on this and see what they say. According to Slee Offroad, the TC UCAs were not needed on their build.

 

[BootsCUA]

Slee may know that you have to adjust the Camber all the way out and he is OK with that, and it is possible that the TC UCAs really wouldn't make any difference. It's just an assumption since Vince did not have this problem when he did his and the other guys didn't either. I would like to hear from DTT255 and Chimyz to see if they think the TC UCAs would help avoid this.

 

[Skrewball]

interested in seeing what they say.......

i guess i don't see why the TC upper control arms would be such "high maintanence" it would seem if you regularly check/grease any greasable joints(not many if any on a stock 200) then it wouldn't be a problem.

i don't want to cause any heat, just my opinion.

 

[chimyz]

I'm no expert, but when I was doing my research, I was told by Baja North in Kamloops that the UCAs would put the wheels out close to 1" more, allowing to get the correct camber with a lift. This was a statement for all lifts on all IFS trucks, not just the LC. They had recommended it strongly, and for the $500 it cost, I thought it was worth it (we are not all as lazy as some, and don't mind a little lube job every now and then...JK JB).

Baja didn't do my install but I did source the parts from them. They are mostly an off-road racing shop, so I was confident they had the experience to comment on it.

What leaves me puzzled is that there is no mention from ARB that this is needed for the OME install, also, there isn't even an option for this from them. The other concern is that hundreds of Auzzies have installed this on their LCs without an issue (on KDSS and non-KDSS models).

Just to throw it out there, was something adjusted on the front sway bar that is pulling the wheel out of alignment? I know it was a PITA to get the suspension in because of KDSS, and we unbolted a couple parts of the front suspension to get it in properly. Is it possible the guy that did the install unhooked something and never buttoned it back up?

 

[chimyz]

Did someone take your LC out for a test after install, and smash into a curb? Silly, but it has happened to me before.

 

[dtt255]

I will chime in here.

I don't have a clue what could be doing that. When both Chimyz and I installed our TC arms we didn't have the 2" lift of OME, we had the radflo.

I didn't have any of the issues you are having now with the OME or the Radflo.

Maybe I am way off, but I am thinking something went wrong with the lift install.

 

[BootsCUA]

It rides fine and Vince inspected it while it was up on the lift and didn't see any problems with the install. Everything looks like it was done properly.

 

[donjuanmiguel]

I guess one question should be are there any OME installs without the extras and if so, how's the alignment? I'm scheduled for just such an install this Friday. Don't need all the extras as I don't drive tough trails but do towe on a regular basis. I'm becoming quite hesitant now.

 

[dtt255]

I would call Total Chaos Fab and see if they can confirm what Chimyz said about pushing the tires out about 1". If so, that will solve your issue.

I have had 2 wheel alignments since I installed mine and have neer had any comments about the cambers being at their max setting.