How To Adjust The Toe Alignment on a Ford Ranger

In this video, I'm going to show you the basics on how to adjust the toe alignment on an 1983-1997 Ford Ranger. If you need an alignment, and you don't know what you're doing, PAY SOMEONE who knows what they're doing to get your truck safe to be on the road. The purpose of this video is to help you get your truck to be decently reliable to get to the alignment shop. Or, worst case scenario, let's say you're out off roading and you break a tie rod and have to replace it on the trail. Knowing the basics of toe alignment will help you get your truck driveable enough to limp it home.
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TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO
Milwaukee Paint Pen amzn.to/3qzrkHG
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Stubby 3/8" Impact Wrench amzn.to/3Hikj4E
Milwaukee M12 Ratchet amzn.to/3EB1QP3
Tekton 3/8 Metric Impact Sockets amzn.to/343ajxX
Tecton 3/8 Metric Sockets amzn.to/32PsdUs
OTC 7023 Tie Rod Adjusting Tool amzn.to/3eC3WDP
Tekton 3/8 Torque Wrench amzn.to/31ayQQA
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CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram: @rayregno @rayregnogarage
For Business Inquiries ONLY: [e-mail]
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FTC LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links. This means that when you purchase products or services using these links, I will make a commission on these sales. This is free for you and is one way to support the channel so that I can keep buying more parts and tools and make more videos! Thanks in advance for your support!
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LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
Please use the information in this video at your own risk. Neither Ray Regno nor Stronghold Garage will be held responsible for any damages, injury, or loss that could arise from using any information in this video.

[@Giovanni-bz2xt]

Try using 2 cinder blocks on each side with a level and a string while making sure that you have the blocks exactly in line with each other as well as have them about 2 inches from the tires. Use a tape measure to make sure that you have your tires the same distance from the string line. Make sure that you have your steering wheel straight as well as the tires. Some people like to put the front tires slightly more tow in however that chews the tires down. I literally just passed the knowledge that I received from a Vietnam veteran who was a close friend of mine that was actually more like family to me. Sadly he's passed away however the knowledge I received from him remains so that's basically a old-school alignment in a nutshell courtesy of a good man and great teacher. Yes it does take a bit of time to do this however it is effective to the point I have not needed to pay ridiculous amounts of money for a alignment since I was fortunately blessed with the knowledge. It actually gets easier each time as well as a bit quicker. I can get mine aligned in about 25-30 minutes if it gets bad enough to where I have to tow it to my house from the trails

[@ryanorth8648]

Used this method on an 08 f350 I rebuilt the front end on, took it to the shop after for laser alignment. They didn't charge me and said I was only technically 1/32 of an inch off

[@rhekman]

Ray, I second your recommendation of a good alignment shop. And for anyone who has a truck that is no longer stock, look around for someone who specializes in 4x4 and off-road. When I made my radius arms adjustable, the cheap tire & quick lube place claimed my truck's frame was bent when their alignment machine gave them numbers that didn't make sense. Turns out I hadn't set the wheelbase exactly correct, but instead of asking about my mods, they just parked it in the lot, and refused to touch it until "I got my frame straightened" 😂

[@rayregnogarage]

Wow. That's awesome. How much did your wheelbase change with your new radius arms?

[@rhekman]

@@rayregnogarage Overall the wheelbase didn't change. But even after made witness marks near the old radius arm mounts and measured to the upper and lower ball joints repeatedly, the wheelbase was 1/4" short on the passenger side when I set the new Johnny Joints to the same length of exposed threads. That was enough to cause crabbing and bad tire scrub (and a bent frame diagnosis at the tire shop). Easy enough to fix by unbolting the Johnny Joint and unthreading it 3 turns on that side, and threading in one turn on the driver's.

[@rayregnogarage]

nice

[@ryanrogers9192]

Thanks a lot for this video 😁 I just bought a 1989 Ford bronco 2 and it would pull you completely out of the road cuz it pulled so hard to the right when you let go of the steering wheel and now I know which way to turn the tirod and I didn't know you could do it without disconnecting the tirod end

[@rayregnogarage]

Nice. Check your radius arm bushings, too. I found out mine were actually completely worn through and that’s why it was pulling all over the place. I shot video. Haven’t edited yet.

[@pinkpantherr93]

I love rangers I have 2 and love your content I don’t off-road in fact I lowered mine but still the information works both ways.

[@rayregnogarage]

I wanna got another Ranger to lower it, too!

[@pinkpantherr93]

@@rayregnogarage hell yeah bro I think lowering a ranger is more challenging because of component clearance but it can be done.

[@MrHankHill]

I just lifted my Ranger! Perfect timing!

[@rayregnogarage]

Nice!

[@justinsloat4379]

Good video learned more than I new before

[@JohnnyHildebrand1969]

Thank you for your informative video. Working on my 1994 ranger splash with a terrible toe in on both sides.

[@rayregnogarage]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@DaleSteffen-ru6be]

Thanks so much for video I have a 1994 extended cab 2 wheel drive 4.0 automatic front tires where used they are bawled on outside need to fix asap to take full advantage of what's left alignment is expensive knowledge is power. ! I am in central illinois enjoy your off road pictures

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!!!

[@rhekman]

Pull to the right quite likely points to a bad radius arm bushing. My '95 Ranger did the same thing, and when I rebuilt the front suspension the right side bushing (just next to the hot catalytic converter) was so worn out it was almost an open "C" instead of a round donut. That had probably tilted the back of the right side arm down at least 3/8" creating more caster angle on the passenger side. More caster means more resistance to turning left and right, which means that tire will want to follow the contours of the road that much harder than the opposite tire. Since I was rebuilding my front end, I took the opportunity to build extended radius arms. I went 13" longer than stock. For springs I went with Skyjacker 1.5" leveling coils. The longer radius arms would allow for more travel if I go with a bigger lift kit in the future, but they have also reduced bump steer since there is less caster change affecting the stock steering linkage. The radius arms seemed simple, but it took a _LOT_ of trial and error to get the alignment spot on. I had to get the truck on a very flat and level surface, then used a plumb bob at the ball joints to measure and adjust my new radius arm Johnny Joints to get the wheel base to match precisely left to right. I've been fiddling with caster/camber bushings and tie rod adjusters since to dial everything in.

[@rayregnogarage]

That's awesome! I definitely suspect the right side radius arm bushing. The truck has no muffler and used to dump right behind the cab. I want to do the Solo Motorsports longtravel setup on my truck, but I figured in the meantime, I could just cut out the rivets holding the radius arm bracket and swap out the bushing for now. The new radius arms come with new brackets, so I'll need to take the old ones off anyway.. How did you remove the rivets? I used an angle grinder and a drill when I cut the rivets to flip my shackle hanger on my 99 Ranger, but it took forever. Do you know of a better way?

[@rhekman]

​@@rayregnogarage No easy way to remove those rivets that I have found, unfortunately. I too used a 3" cutoff wheel on a die grinder to "X" the rivets, an air chisel, and a 4.5" cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. I first removed the rivet below the cab mount, and then I cut away the hoop part of the radius arm bracket that hangs below the frame. Since I wanted to keep the crossmember, I only cut up to the two bolts going into the bottom of the frame, and cut away the part of the bracket that would interfere with the longer arms.

[@joeycmore]

Thanks for the simplicity. I live in butt-f**k nowhere, don't go to the trails but the potholes could stand in for the batcave in the next DC film... I just had an alignment done and refuse to cough up the $, so I now think I can put the wheel back until I give in and let a pro fix it. Thanks again.

[@dannylopez2569]

Thank you brother I needed this🙏

[@rayregnogarage]

Happy to help

[@Stealthhayes93]

use a box with strings as a reference point to how close the front of the tire is to the box or string compared to the rear once its about even on each end of the tire you should be straight.

[@micah_mudflaps]

Of all the vehicles I’ve owned, my ‘96 Ranger has the most frustrating/convoluted wheel alignment system. I hate the stupid sleeves.

[@rayregnogarage]

there’s also the cam bolts.

[@cowboy4576]

Great job keep it up 👍

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!

[@deepbludude4697]

Persistance pays off!

[@Davidsavage8008]

Same issues mazda4x4 1994. +300k miles.nature of the beast. New tire take care of it. Camber factory set. Nature of the beast. I just replaced my steering box today. Works great . tires always pull to right when worn. Notice on state axil 4x4 tire with less axil or closer to differential wears better. Nature of the beast.

[@rayregnogarage]

bought the truck with crappy tires. it pulled right. even when I put brand new tires on, it pulled right. pretty sure it's the radius arm bushing.. it looks squished on the right side

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

Where did you get that tie rod adjuster tool? Looks rad and I know mine is equally as rusty!

[@rayregnogarage]

Here ya go. I put all the parts and tools I use in the descriptions of my videos. amzn.to/3eC3WDP

[@user-nd7xp8fu8d]

Good morning

[@williammosher8482]

Great thanks

[@billdomi9374]

In the other videos they say you should make sure your steering wheel is facing straight before starting this project, and tie the wheel so it won't move while you're adjusting.

[@rayregnogarage]

Ya I’m not a mechanic so take what I say with a grain of salt. the wheel didn’t move. I think that’s less of a risk when the truck is on the ground

[@timothyc3662]

I’m from Spokcompton too😎

[@rayregnogarage]

I'm originally from San Diego. The "Spokcompton" is so exaggerated. Haha. Even the worst parts of Spokane aren't as bad as the ghettos we have in San Diego.. and nothing like the real Compton. lol

[@ittums]

I also am from Spokane and I got a 94 explorer and it is so off. I have to fix myself because I don't have money. Lol .

[@drewcovington7800]

What adapter do you have for the steering wheel. Have a 95 ranger and can’t seem to find a adapter for a steering wheel

[@rayregnogarage]

I left the part number in the description of the video. It’s actually for an F150 but it works. Just make sure to watch the second video to see how to modify it to work. I just forced mine on and it works fine but i had to relocate my horn.

[@ghj1502]

the tie rods are 99% the culprit

[@rayregnogarage]

Ya. been thinking about replacing them