Getting ready to install new balls joints on my 01 Ranger with stock coil spring suspension. As I have had no problems with the steering or tire wear, should I install the front cam alignment kit?
I don't see spending the money, unless I had a problem with the suspension or alignment issues. I have read others had issues before and after new joints.
I know it would be much easier to do it,
when the upper control arms are off.

Any ideas on what to do?

I got a few days to think about it, until I receive my new upper
control arms & the weather improves.

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2001 RANGER, XLT Super Cab, 4Door, 2x4, automatic, 4 liter, single overhead cam, 151,000 miles, bought new by owner, now driven less than 5,000 miles per year. Very good condition for it's age. Owner now retired & stills loves his little Ranger.

I installed a Moog K80065 kit recently while updating my front-end, and I'm glad I did. After replacing most major suspension and steering components the alignment shop had no problems getting back to specs.

So go ahead.. do it right, do it once.

do it. don't skip out on such an easy upgrade. if you ever go with a wheel that is larger than stock you will wish you put that kit on much earlier

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2002 body, 2005 2.3L, 4PLUG, 2WD, 5SPEED, SINGLE CAB, WHITE/RED/BLACK, LOTS OF WORK. New engine coming soon v8

You have to remove the stock cam washers in order to replace the control arms. It's your choice whether you want to put the eccentric cam washers in, but as long as you put them in exactly the way you had it before (same orientation and same spots) then ideally it won't even change your alignment.

However, an alignment is always recommended after doing any suspension work, and you can't get an alignment at all if you can't adjust them.

The truck won't explode if you decide not to do it, it will just make future repairs and mods less of a hassle.

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2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

O.K. Guys, you won me over. I going to replace them.

I will need an alignment with the new cam alignment kit.
I don't see any way of setting them like the old fixed plates.
Happy to learn my new lower ball joints & the upper control arm ball joints all have grease fittings.


Thinks for the help!

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2001 RANGER, XLT Super Cab, 4Door, 2x4, automatic, 4 liter, single overhead cam, 151,000 miles, bought new by owner, now driven less than 5,000 miles per year. Very good condition for it's age. Owner now retired & stills loves his little Ranger.

If you don't mind me asking any of you.... Since we are on the topic of cam bolts. Last year I installed a fabtech spindle lift on my pickup. (I have an 01 2wd with coil spring suspension) It came with it's own cam bolts that I installed when doing the lift. Since then I have had issues during alignments getting them to tighten. I go in every few months and use my lifetime alignment and I am still getting terrible camber wear. Have any of you seen or had those problems yourself with cam bolts not wanting to tighten?

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2001 XLT 5 speed 2.5L Ranger 2wd single cab
Yes I drive a lifted 2wd with all terrain tires!

Plans: Slap a 5.0 in her, get long travel suspension, fly!

I'm not sure about your cam bolts, but the Moog kit I got came with oblong nuts which I assume are designed like that so they won't come loose, the problem I found with those is that they're very hard to turn, making installation that much harder.

Instead I went out and got nylon lock nuts, much easier install and they stay in place. Its only been a few weeks, but so far no issues at all.

See mine look almost identical to that picture. (I kept the flange lock nuts) my alignment guy swears he can't get them tight. Somehow they keep moving throwing my alignment out. I don't remember seeing the washers though. I wonder if I added some if it would space them out making them tight.

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2001 XLT 5 speed 2.5L Ranger 2wd single cab
Yes I drive a lifted 2wd with all terrain tires!

Plans: Slap a 5.0 in her, get long travel suspension, fly!

Weird. I have the exact same kit and mine never comes loose. Even back in the day when I used to jump the truck and hit dirt roads at 50-60
Are you torquing to 45 Lb-ft?

If yes, try the nylon lock nuts or some lock washers.

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Your "alignment guy" is bull shitting you. They can be tightened.

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2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

I know I torqued them on install, but I can't say for the alignment guy. I would sure hope he isn't bull shitting me. Every time I bring it in he has to work on it for free. The idea is that he will do it right so he won't have to again. I'll get some new washers and nuts and see what that does.

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2001 XLT 5 speed 2.5L Ranger 2wd single cab
Yes I drive a lifted 2wd with all terrain tires!

Plans: Slap a 5.0 in her, get long travel suspension, fly!

After every alignment I have started to tack weld my cams in place so they don't move. Simple and it keeps everything where it should be


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Supercharged and DBR long travel 2003 FX4 on 305/70R16 MTRs, Torsen LS FR ECTED RR 4.56 Yukons with cobra brakes, lots of expo parts and other mods

Build thread http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...cue-truck.html

Support Search and Rescue ... GET LOST!

Oh I bet the alignment guys love grinding off tack welds every time you take it in!

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2001 XLT 5 speed 2.5L Ranger 2wd single cab
Yes I drive a lifted 2wd with all terrain tires!

Plans: Slap a 5.0 in her, get long travel suspension, fly!

Mike that's genius.

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His truck is a heavily modified trail rig/rescue vehicle. He doesn't need alignments. Haha

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2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

Easy way to tell if they only adjusted the toe if they never asked why the cams are tacked haha

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2007/08 FX4 Off-Road Level II / SCT tuned / GNTX Auto Dim Comp Temp Rearview Mirror / Mustang Dome Light / LED Turn, Brake, Reverse, Fog Lights / 4.10 Torsen Rear / Black Leather Interior / Jumpseat Delete / Lift Shackles / Lightly Cranked #1 T-Bars / 32x11.50x15 AT3s

I cut the tacks before I take it in to the shop But that would be funny to see what they would do!


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Supercharged and DBR long travel 2003 FX4 on 305/70R16 MTRs, Torsen LS FR ECTED RR 4.56 Yukons with cobra brakes, lots of expo parts and other mods

Build thread http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...cue-truck.html

Support Search and Rescue ... GET LOST!