Higher than stock caster alignment settings

From reading around on here, at least a few of you are running much higher than factory specified caster. For those running 5-6 degrees (or more?), have you noticed much additional stress on the pump or rack due to the extra steering weight?

Do you need adjustable UCAs to add in this much caster? How do you feel the truck drives with this change?
I was looking to do this mostly to get a little more firewall clearance.

Currently running fox 3.0s adjusted slightly higher than mid perch, otherwise stock front suspension

I run max caster allowed with stock parts for tire clearance, nice on the highway. I haven't noticed low speed steering problems, but the truck is rarely in a parking lot, I park in the back and get in and out. When I am off road it's usually at speeds above 50mph, no idea how it would be in a low speed off road situation.

Concern seems valid, as the gen 1 power steering systems seem to be trouble prone. The truck will be a little less responsive to inputs, but that can be corrected with the right-hand pedal when your off road.

thanks for the input and insight into your experience. I've been having trouble getting a local alignment shop to add in that much caster, I've been repeatedly turned away and told its either unsafe or it might ruin the truck. Sounds like I'm being fed nonsense (kind knew already, i guess).

I might just adjust it myself and bring It back for the toe adjustment at this point.
I also have the lee kit, so hopefully that helps. Just didn't want to adjust the alignment and start blowing pumps as a result of the extra steering effort.

Surprised no one else knew about this. Maybe its jut not a frequently visited forum area

Nothing wrong with 6 degrees of caster - Straight line stability and more negative camber when turning. As for additional scrub / stress on the steering, Don't crank your steering wheel to full lock and do donuts or in rock crawling situations where the line pressure is maxed out. This will break things faster than a bit of caster will.
I will be purchasing upper adjustable control arms soon and plan to run 6.5 +/- degrees of caster with 1.5 degree +/- of negative camber dependent upon testing. i rotate my ties every 2500 to 3500 miles so tire wear should not be a problem even with 37 K02s

Chinmasterflex said:

From reading around on here, at least a few of you are running much higher than factory specified caster. For those running 5-6 degrees (or more?), have you noticed much additional stress on the pump or rack due to the extra steering weight?

Do you need adjustable UCAs to add in this much caster? How do you feel the truck drives with this change?
I was looking to do this mostly to get a little more firewall clearance.

Currently running fox 3.0s adjusted slightly higher than mid perch, otherwise stock front suspension

Click to expand...

if you are going to run adjustable uppers youll find it may be "easier" to push the lca's as far out as they can go, then adjust camber with the upper. this additional 3/4-1" of width will allow you to go to top perch and therefore giving you additional clearance.

just another option for you

PorterW1111 said:

if you are going to run adjustable uppers youll find it may be "easier" to push the lca's as far out as they can go, then adjust camber with the upper. this additional 3/4-1" of width will allow you to go to top perch and therefore giving you additional clearance.

just another option for you

Click to expand...

With the extra width, where are you gaining the clearance? This is something I hadn't really though of.

Chinmasterflex said:

With the extra width, where are you gaining the clearance? This is something I hadn't really though of.

Click to expand...

It’s about going up, raising to top perch. But normally doing this you get side effects, mainly stiffer suspension due to the angle of the arms. By moving that lca out all the way it and moving to top perch really it just put the tire “back to stock” position. Not really “extra width”