Alignment after 1" spacer?

[mini4mw]

I've added ~130lbs on the front bumper with Maximus-3 tow loops, braces, winch plate and Apex 12k winch. Measuring the top of the fender between the front and the back I'm 1" lower in the front (40.5" vs 41.5"). I forgot to measure the front before I put everything on..

I have ~1" up travel between the bump stop, not much unfortunately.

I wanted to get a little clearance back and level out front to back so I have some Teraflex 1" spacers to throw in. I've read through a number of posts on this forum and others and some say you need an alignment when ever you touch the front suspension and others say if its just a 1" spacer you should be fine. I'll double check the alignment on my own and pending results perhaps get one, but I was just curious if everyone is still split on opinions. I'm thinking there should be some difference just from the sag on the front from the weight and then raising an inch may cause it to be further off, effectively 2" (sag 1" down, spacer 1" up).

Also, front what I've read I shouldn't have to worry about changing bump stops or bottoming out the shocks on flex even with the XR lift, right?

Thanks-

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[6.5shooter]

Toe won’t change regardless of spring height, so there will be no reason to get an alignment if you don’t have adjustable control arms to set caster. My suggestion with the 1” spacer in front would be to add the Mopar lower control arms for around $75 to get caster in spec. If your steering wheel is off, that’s a simple drag link adjustment.
No worries about the bumpstops, I’m running 1” spacers and mopar LCA on my XR and have been on several off-road trips without issue. I have about 1.75” from bumpstop to coil pad.

 

[Bleda2002]

I've added ~130lbs on the front bumper with Maximus-3 tow loops, braces, winch plate and Apex 12k winch. Measuring the top of the fender between the front and the back I'm 1" lower in the front (40.5" vs 41.5"). I forgot to measure the front before I put everything on..

I have ~1" up travel between the bump stop, not much unfortunately.

I wanted to get a little clearance back and level out front to back so I have some Teraflex 1" spacers to throw in. I've read through a number of posts on this forum and others and some say you need an alignment when ever you touch the front suspension and others say if its just a 1" spacer you should be fine. I'll double check the alignment on my own and pending results perhaps get one, but I was just curious if everyone is still split on opinions. I'm thinking there should be some difference just from the sag on the front from the weight and then raising an inch may cause it to be further off, effectively 2" (sag 1" down, spacer 1" up).

Also, front what I've read I shouldn't have to worry about changing bump stops or bottoming out the shocks on flex even with the XR lift, right?

Thanks-

No need, on a stock jeep the only thing you can change is toe, and toe wont be changed by the lift. If your steering wheel is off, its easy to fix in your driveway but an alignment at this point would be a waste of money.

 

[failsafe306]

I added 1” spacers to the front of my Rubicon to remove most of the factory rake, and did not need any alignment.

 

[Headbarcode]

I've added ~130lbs on the front bumper with Maximus-3 tow loops, braces, winch plate and Apex 12k winch. Measuring the top of the fender between the front and the back I'm 1" lower in the front (40.5" vs 41.5"). I forgot to measure the front before I put everything on..

I have ~1" up travel between the bump stop, not much unfortunately.

I wanted to get a little clearance back and level out front to back so I have some Teraflex 1" spacers to throw in. I've read through a number of posts on this forum and others and some say you need an alignment when ever you touch the front suspension and others say if its just a 1" spacer you should be fine. I'll double check the alignment on my own and pending results perhaps get one, but I was just curious if everyone is still split on opinions. I'm thinking there should be some difference just from the sag on the front from the weight and then raising an inch may cause it to be further off, effectively 2" (sag 1" down, spacer 1" up).

Also, front what I've read I shouldn't have to worry about changing bump stops or bottoming out the shocks on flex even with the XR lift, right?

Thanks-

I agree with the above recommendation about adding the front lower control arms from the mopar lift. They are 1/4" longer than stock, which will increase caster and improve handling as far as less potential wandering.

Also, anytime a change is made to ride height, it's important to loosen all control arm mounting bolts and retighten them while the Jeep is sitting at the new ride height. You would only have to loosen the 4 front arms in this case, because you're only altering the front. The reason for loosening the control arm mounts is to neutralize the rubber bushings at normal ride height. Otherwise, the more twisted they are at normal ride height, the shorter their lifespan will be.

 

[mini4mw]

The 392 already has the Mopar lift, no? So the LCAs should already be there.

As far as the control arm bushings, a spacer is just lowering, pushing downthe coil spring. So while it raises the body, the angle of the control arms doesn't change, right? Just picturing this in my head... Although, the sag from winch and tow plates could warrant the loosening/tightening since the ride height is lower in the front and thus the need for a spacer.

Right?

 

[stumblinhorse]

The 392 already has the Mopar lift, no? So the LCAs should already be there.

As far as the control arm bushings, a spacer is just lowering, pushing downthe coil spring. So while it raises the body, the angle of the control arms doesn't change, right? Just picturing this in my head... Although, the sag from winch and tow plates could warrant the loosening/tightening since the ride height is lower in the front and thus the need for a spacer.

Right?

No. not mopar lift and not LCAs. Same LCAs as all other jeeps.

Again no, spacer change geometry. The further the axle(s) are away from the frame the more it changes. Axles move towards each other. Front axle move back, back axle moves forward.

But to your original question. There is nothing to align. Nothing to adjust, except your steering wheel.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Technically the alignment has changed, so folks are right.
That being said it’s negligible until you boost more than your spacer. As you said, you added weight and dropped. Then you added an inch back with a spacer so you might only have a net change of 1/4”.
What’s changing with bigger lifts is the 3-way interaction of caster, camber, and toe. If you boost too much, your caster falls and through caster’s interaction with camber your toe changes too. That’s assuming stock arms. With adjustable the 3-way game changes relationships which makes an alignment even more important.
Don’t sweat it unless it drives poorly or tires wear weird. Then consider an alignment check to verify toe, or tell you your caster is too low and you need to make a change.

 

[mini4mw]

I wonder why the lifted Mopar LCA is so.much cheaper than the regular.. stock issue I guess?

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