Firestone said they cannot align my truck because its modified

Hello.
Have a 2016 SR. Had a standard low end SR suspension.

Had national chain 4wheelparts put Fox 2.0 with coil over up front and fox shocks in back to level and larger KO2 tires 265 70 R17. That's all. 4wheelparts installed and aligned with zero issues, great job.

Was going to take advantage of Firestone's special they have on lifetime alignment.

Firestone said that being truck was modified from stock they could not do it and probably did not have proper spanner wrenches.
I have read here that people go to Firestone all the time. I have seen Fox 2.5 on dealer lots.

What's the deal ?

 

It depends on the Firestone. They are managed differently from location to location.

I had a lift on my F250 and they allowed me to purchase and use my lifetime alignment. They promised to do the same on my Tacoma but I also promised them I'd be putting in new UCAs to make their lives easier too.

It takes a lot longer to align a modified truck plus sometimes depending on the set up they won't be able to align it. So make sense not all will honor a lifetime alignment.

 

If the tech know what he is doing, he can align anything (within reason). If they are already making excuses, forget them and find someone who will do it with making a fuss.

 

No problem here 5100 all round front set at 1.75.
Where you located.?

 

Does the 1.75 give you a level or does your front end stick up higher?

 

They're giving you BS. Mine's lifted with 6112/5160 Bilsteins, SPC UCAs, and new rear leaf springs. About a 2-3/4" lift all around. I got the Firestone Lifetime alignment.

 

Level. 275/65/16 rims

 

Spanner wrenches? As in to adjust the spring perches/shocks? That would be nuts.

I don't do alignments, but I can't envison anything under there that needs a spanner, just less they are just using an old school name to dazzle customers with.

I appreciate the 'deal' of lifetime alignments, but I find they are not worth it. The exception being that you know enough to find a tech at one of those stores who actually knows what he's doing, and is willing to take the time to do it right.

I gave up on that, and just started using an independent shop. It's the one all the local truck mod stores send their messes to to get fixed.

I think the counter guy you talked to was blowing smoke up your skirt because he saw you as a potential 'frequent customer' (and a money loser) or he was just an ignoramus.

 

What cab/bed configuration? Taco Lean?

 

X2

 

We were just on this subject yesterday.https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lifetime-alignment-firestone.526155/ and I have had lifetime since 2010 and the guy at the Firestone has a lifted Tacoma with bumpers sliders. Like others said thay are independents. find another shop.

 

No Taco lean Access cab long bed 4x4 and level

 

Its not that they cant, they just dont want to. Find some where else to get alignments

 

They may not be able to get it within specs without adjustable Upper Control Arms such as the SPC units @Atomic has.
I had the same issue with my old 4Runner when I first lifted it, to get the geometry right they need to adjust the UCA.
The mention of spanner wrenches may have been because they could have to option of adjusting the coilovers lower to bring your angles back into spec, of course that would defeat the purpose of the coilovers.

If you don’t have aftermarket adjustable UCAs you will most likely need them in order to bring your alignment back to spec. If you do have them and they still can’t align it, then they either don’t want to work on a lifted truck or aren’t competent enough to.

 

my best guess is that management at that location does not want to align modified cars.. They see a lifted truck which means that odds are you will continue to modify and if so then more alignments will be required then the average joe. life time warranty may not be worth it for them. aligning your vehicle is not different than aligning any other Tacoma.. as others have said if you don't have uca's then they may not be able to get caster within specs but that's on you not them.. they simply don't want you as a customer.. as others have said find another shop.

 

Technically, they are correct...

Per the service manual, the first step in alignment is checking tires and ride height against factory spec.
Factory alignment specs are based of these specs.

The best they can do, is align to factory spec and see what happens with tire wear and steering.
For example, if you have a wheel/tire that adds a lot of positive scrub, it might require more toe-in and zero to negative camber.

Basically they are telling you they don't do custom alignments; only factory spec alignments.

 

I gave up on firestone. they only corrected the toe on my truck the first few times. The last time I took my truck there they lowered the caster more and caused me to rub AND they flattened my stock alignment cam tabs. I'm getting TC alignment gussets welded on soon now. Hard to find a competent technician, I have given up on them and go to a shop that specializes in only alignments.

 

I can't really blame them. No way would I give a lifetime Warrentty to a person that I know is going require adjustments often. The aftermarket lift just made them more fearful of spending time and money they will never see again.

 

It’s definitely dependent on that store. I had my old Saabaru slammed and one would do it but the other wouldn’t.

 

How often do you guys with lifetime alignment do it?