Ford Ranger Alignment
 

I'm replacing some suspension parts on my Ranger, and will get it aligned tomorrow. Auto makers design suspension geometry and publish alignment specs that dial in a certain amount of understeer because the average driver does not know when to use the pedal on the right and when to use the one in the middle. Let's call this the "Republican" alignment spec.

My preference is for neutral handling or perhaps a bit of oversteer. Let's call this the "Liberal" alignment spec. If this is more to my liking, then what should I ask the alignment guy to do? He's a very good alignment guy and he may have his own ideas, but I wonder if anybody here has any knowledge of what might make this truck drive better. A tad bit more negative camber in front? What would you guys recommend?

supe, it is a ford ranger. dont go looking for miracles.

i had chevy's response to the ranger; a S10. i know what i am talking about. i didnt set any lofty goals :D

I'm with Vash on this one...though you didn't specify which parts you are using or replacing. I went the conservative route with our Ranger, a '99 XLT 4.0 2 wheel drive...replaced the spaghetti stock shocks with Edelbrock performer IAS shocks...the change was dramatic. I stopped there.

You mean it's not going to handle like a track-prepped 911?

Exactly...but with a set of these, you'll surprise a lot of kids with coffee can exhausts:
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/shocks/shocks_main.shtml

I did replace the shocks, with Bilsteins. I'm a German car guy to the bone marrow. But I'm not doing anything silly like putting high performance tires on. I just put four all-terrain tires on. I'm replacing the ball joints too. Dang Ford trucks go through ball joints like I go through beer. '97 Ranger 4x4 x-cab. 4L manual. If any of you guys have a Ford truck whose ball joints are six years old, handling is poor.

The alignment guy knows my driving preferences. Let's just see what he does.

'Fess up...you replaced with Bilsteins because they were cheaper. Oh well, you get what ya pay for. Didn't know yours was a 4X4...don't expect great handling with that.

Ball joints fine on our '99...but it has only 48,000 on the clock.

I don't have the feeling they were cheaper. About $300 for the two pairs. Frankly, I find them somewhat softer than I had hoped. But again, I guess I need to stop expecting this thing to be 'tossable.'

Have it aligned to recommended specs to save tire wear.

$500 for the edelbrocks...my old 911 ran bilsteins when I sold it. Judging shocks alone, I believe the edelbrocks to be superior shocks. Their technology borrowed from F-1.

Yep, being a 4X4..."tossable" it ain't.

Supe, with all terrain tires you sort of shot yourself in the foot. Back when I had an F150 4x4, the best improvement in handling and ride quality was by putting on milder tires. Don't waste your time with the alignment, you'll just be replacing the tires more quickly.