(Dumb) jack stand question

[rickinAZ]

The DIY front end alignment seems simple enough. Can I get away with just using jack stands on front end, and not the back?

Related question: Recentering the steering wheel has always been simple, but all of my local roads that are dead straight have varying levels of crown. Is there a easy way to get the tires pointed perfectly straight in the garage?

Finally, what toe-in amount are you guys using?

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[txj2go]

Don't know what you mean by "DIY" alignment. You can check the toe with a tape measure. If you want to center your steering wheel the best thing is to drive it and see if it's off, make a small adjustment and drive it some more. If you have made a big change such as a new track bar you can do a reasonable job of garage adjustments with a long board, then drive it to check for fine adjustments. Caster and camber are more complicated but most of us don't have to worry about those.

 

[bd100]

Aligned a solid front axle Ram using an expanding painter's pole. Ran it from inside rim to the opposite inside rim, both ahead and behind the axle. Aimed for snug at the front and slightly loose at the back. Like 1/16" slack, so it's a small amount of toe in. Works great for a zillion miles since, and the tires wear just fine.

Haven't looked yet to see if this can be done on the JL/JT. There may be something blocking the pole. On the old truck I was able to get the pole to span the entire distance fairly close to the leading edge of the rims and only partly close to the trailing edge.

Not sure you have to jack stand anything if you are making minor changes, because the tires can twist a little even when on the ground. Maybe roll it forward and back slightly after each change. Although a stand under each side to catch things before they fall on you might be a good idea if crawling around underneath.

 

[GATORB8]

I'd always go to a shop for a toe alignment, I've never been able to get it dead on.

The drag link adjustment is so easy (to adjust, not to get dead on) you can even pull to the side of the road or run back and forth a couple hundred feet in a parking lot and adjust it.

 

[jadmt]

I'd always go to a shop for a toe alignment, I've never been able to get it dead on.

The drag link adjustment is so easy (to adjust, not to get dead on) you can even pull to the side of the road or run back and forth a couple hundred feet in a parking lot and adjust it.

X100......

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