I just installed a lift kit and larger tires on my Jeep Wrangler myself, and while the ride height is perfect, I'm now experiencing a noticeable pull to the right and the steering wheel is off-center. I know I need a professional wheel alignment, but I'm curious about what exactly gets adjusted during the process for a modified vehicle like this. For other off-road enthusiasts or mechanics, should I be looking for a shop that specializes in alignments for lifted trucks, and what specific measurements or adjustments, like caster or toe, are most critical to get right to ensure proper handling and tire wear after such a modification?
You're right to look for a shop with off-road/WMS experience. A lifted Jeep changes alignment geometry, so look for a shop that specializes in 4x4 alignments and has a rack that can measure rear as well as front. The big three to verify are toe (most critical for straight-line stability and tire wear), caster (affects steering effort and return-to-center), and rear thrust angle (misalignment here can pull the vehicle and wear tires unevenly).
With a lift, you’ll often need: front toe adjusted to near zero or a slight toe-in, a caster boost to preserve stable handling, and rear toe set to keep the axle tracking straight. If you have an adjustable track bar or control arms, the shop should re-center the front axle and ensure the steering wheel centers when driving straight. They should also check front camber if your kit allows adjustment, or ensure it’s not causing uneven tire wear; some JK/JL setups have limited camber adjustment so they rely on toe and caster.
Questions to ask when you call shops: Do you do lifted/modified vehicles? Do you adjust front and rear toe? Can you adjust caster (and do you need adjustable control arms)? Do you check thrust angle and steering wheel centering? Do you test-drive and show the alignment sheet? What's your approach to balancing wear across all four tires on a lifted setup?
Pre-visit checklist: bring notes about lift height and tire size; bring photos of the suspension if needed; ask for a printed alignment report; request a free follow-up alignment within 1–2 weeks if you notice changes; ask about wheel balancing and tire rotation schedule; ask about a steering stabilizer if you installed heavy tires.
After alignment, do a highway drive and a rough road test; examine tires for even wear; ensure the wheel is centered while driving straight; if not, go back. If you want, I can tailor a quick question sheet or a checklist you can hand to the shop so you cover all the bases.