What's the best way to recenter your axle after truck has been lifted. I was wondering if there is an easy way to measure it off & where to measure from to get it back to center....I've tried the eyeball method but it still seems to be off....Thanks for help or suggestions....

 

You can measure down from the fenders or pull a string around all four tires at the center of the hub. The second method works if you give consideration for a little toe in.

 

How much lift?
IF you only need to move the frame 1/2" or so on the axle, You can get offset trackbar bushings from Lazarsmith.
Only other option I know of is an adjustable Trackbar.

RJ

 

Recently, my temp. guage seemed to quit working. It seems to go just over 140 deg. then stops. Thought the sender unit was bad and replaced it, but no joy. Last night I drove the truck about 30 miles and the heater was putting out just warm air, much cooler than normal. After returning home the heater hose was warm, but not hot. Could it be the thermostat is stuck open and not allowing the engine to warm up. I realize it is mid May, but it is still winter here in WY. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

 

Yes, very likely. Use only Cummins T-Stat.
Recommendation - Better to start a new thread than to direct this one off topic.

RJ

 

Do not post often. Did not realize I was in the wrong spot until it was too late.

 

Thanks for the help. It's about 3 1/2" - 4". I have an adjustable trackbar so it's not going to be difficult to adjust the axle. I was just checking on what the best way was to measure off to get it fairly close.

 

get a 4ft straight edge (level) lay it againt the tire and fender lip adjust axel until level touches top and bottom of tire and edge of fender.... or there is equal spacing

easier to do than explain, lay a straight edge there and you will soon see what I mean

 

That would work.... with a helper to measure for you as you adjust the track bar.
If alone I might hung a weighted string down fron the center of the grill, so I could see it from underneath. Then measured the center point of the axle. Line the two up and your done. You could also do the math (trigonometry) to determine the distance you have moved the frame to the right?

FWIW, I drone 70,000 miles with my frame 1/2" (I think) off center and never saw any negative side effects. That was from a 2" front leveling lift.

RJ

 

Unfortunately, while a great idea, replacing the thermostat hasn't been shown to have very much affect on centering the axle!!

 

I liked this idea & I gave it a try. It seems to work very well. I didn't have a 4ft level so I used a 4 ft 2x4. Makes it easy to measure off of your fender & get it fairly close. Thanks.

 

Get two nuts and two pieces of string. Tie the string with the nut on the end, then tape it to each fender just above the tire. Now you have a visual reference as well as something to measure for centering the axle.

 

To get the truest measurement you need to measure diagonally from a fixed point on the left side of the axle to a fixed point on the right side of the frame. If it were me I would measure from as close to the center of the axle by the backing plate on either side then measure across to the center of the front spring hanger on the opposite side. Measure from, and too, the exact same spots.

 

I'm w/Tim on this one.
Here's why, this is the only true way to align the front axle to the frame.
Otherwise any other method you are relying on the sheetmetal & core support being true to center. Possibly close, but not likely perfect.

Proflow