By founder of Black Ops Auto Works.
Every alignment shop in the country has a computer that spits out a suggested range for a 2011 to 2021 WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not every shop knows how to read it, and almost none of them know that Chrysler quietly updated the front camber range in 2018. If your truck has lowering springs on it, these are the numbers your shop should hit. Print this page and hand it to them if you have to.
The current factory alignment ranges
These are the WK2 factory specs as of the updated 2018 and later published range, which apply to all WK2 Grand Cherokees, SRT, and Trackhawk regardless of model year, since the platform did not change.
Front camber
| Side | Preferred | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver front | Negative 1.65 degrees | Negative 2.2 degrees | Negative 1.1 degrees |
| Passenger front | Negative 1.95 degrees | Negative 2.5 degrees | Negative 1.4 degrees |
The passenger front range is set slightly more negative on purpose, it compensates for road crown on a right hand drive road system.
Front caster
| Suspension | Preferred |
|---|---|
| Standard coil suspension | 5.0 degrees plus or minus 0.5 |
| Quadra-Lift air suspension | 5.5 degrees plus or minus 0.6, set with ride height in Sport mode |
Caster is adjusted at the lower control arm. The WK2 lower arm has three bolts. Two of them are in slots that let the tech slide the arm inboard or outboard. The WK2 does not use eccentric cam bolts, which is a common shop mistake.
Front toe
| Setting | Preferred | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Total toe | Zero degrees | Plus or minus 0.05 |
Slight positive toe, roughly zero to positive 0.05 total, is fine and slightly improves highway stability.
Rear camber
| Side | Preferred | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver rear | Negative 1.0 degrees | Negative 1.7 degrees | Negative 0.5 degrees |
| Passenger rear | Negative 1.0 degrees | Negative 1.7 degrees | Negative 0.5 degrees |
Rear toe
| Setting | Preferred | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Total rear toe | Positive 0.2 degrees | Plus or minus 0.15 |
Thrust angle
Zero degrees, plus or minus 0.15. Off thrust angle is almost always a rear toe issue on this platform.
The numbers we actually target on a lowered WK2
Factory range is a range, not a recipe. These are the numbers we ask alignment shops to hit on a lowered Grand Cherokee, Trackhawk, or Durango on the same platform, and the reasons for each.
| Setting | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Front camber, both sides | Roughly negative 2.0 degrees | Best steering feel and grip on a top heavy performance SUV without eating tires |
| Front caster | 5.0 degrees standard, 5.5 degrees Quadra-Lift | Straight line stability at highway speed |
| Total front toe | Zero to positive 0.05 | Neutral steering with slight stability bias |
| Rear camber | Negative 1.2 to negative 1.5 degrees | Grip and even tire wear on a lowered rear |
| Total rear toe | Positive 0.2 | Factory preferred, straight tracking |
| Thrust angle | Zero, plus or minus 0.05 | Truck tracks straight, steering wheel is centered |
Anything squarer than negative 1.8 on the front of a Trackhawk or SRT feels darty at freeway speed, do not run it flatter than that unless you are chasing a specific track setup.
How the shop should actually adjust the WK2
This is the sequence a competent alignment tech follows on a WK2 or WDS Durango:
- Set tire pressure to the door jamb spec first, do not skip this
- Bounce and settle the suspension, roll the truck three feet forward and back
- Measure baseline camber, caster, toe, front and rear
- Adjust front camber and caster at the lower control arm by loosening the three lower arm bolts and prying the arm inboard or outboard
- Set rear camber, if within factory range, done, if not, install rear adjustable upper arms and set to target
- Set total front toe last, both sides equal
- Set total rear toe, both sides equal
- Verify thrust angle is at zero
- Print the sheet and hand it to the customer
If your shop skips step three or four and jumps straight to buy arms, the tech does not know this platform. Details in rear adjustable upper control arms, when you actually need them.
Bad shop tells
- They say the front needs cam bolts. Wrong, the WK2 uses slotted lower arms
- They say Mopar or Eibach springs are out of spec. Wrong, both land in the updated factory range without arms
- They say the rear cannot be adjusted without arms at any drop. Wrong, factory range accommodates up to a two inch rear drop
- They will not print the before and after sheet. Walk away
- They set toe first, camber last. Wrong sequence, toe follows camber
When you have Quadra-Lift air suspension
Ride height must be set to Sport mode before the alignment. The truck adjusts caster and camber slightly as ride height changes, and Sport mode is the target height for aftermarket springs, tire wear, and steering feel.
If you are considering a full air suspension delete, we cover the process in how to delete Quadra-Lift air suspension on a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Spec by spring, what to expect at final alignment
| Spring | Front Camber After Alignment | Rear Camber After Alignment | Arms Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mopar Performance | Roughly negative 1.8 | Roughly negative 1.1 | No |
| Eibach Pro-Kit | Roughly negative 1.9 to negative 2.0 | Roughly negative 1.4 to negative 1.6 | No on most trucks |
| Swift Springs Low | Roughly negative 1.7 | Roughly negative 1.0 | No |
| Swift Springs Mid | Roughly negative 1.9 to negative 2.0 | Roughly negative 1.3 to negative 1.5 | No |
| Swift Springs Extreme | Roughly negative 2.0 | Negative 2.0 or beyond without arms | Yes, arms required |
Frequently asked questions
What is the WK2 factory camber spec
Front driver negative 1.1 to negative 2.2, front passenger negative 1.4 to negative 2.5, rear both sides negative 0.5 to negative 1.7.
What caster should my WK2 be set to
5.0 degrees plus or minus 0.5 on standard suspension, 5.5 degrees plus or minus 0.6 on Quadra-Lift, set with ride height in Sport mode.
Does the WK2 use cam bolts for front camber
No. The WK2 lower control arm has three bolts, two in slots, that let the tech slide the arm to set camber and caster. No eccentric cams.
What is the best alignment for a lowered Trackhawk
Front camber roughly negative 2.0 both sides, rear camber negative 1.2 to negative 1.5, caster 5.0 degrees, total toe zero to positive 0.05.
Does the 2018 alignment spec change apply to older WK2 trucks
Yes. Chrysler updated the published range in 2018, the range applies to all 2011 to 2021 WK2 Grand Cherokees and Trackhawks since the platform did not change.
Should I set my Grand Cherokee to zero camber for better tire wear
No. Zero front camber on a top heavy SUV squares the steering, hurts grip in corners, and does not save enough tire wear to justify the tradeoff. Roughly negative 2.0 is the sweet spot.
How long should I drive the truck before alignment after installing springs
Forty to sixty miles. Bushings need to seat before final camber and toe are set.
What if my rear camber is out of spec after installing springs
If the drop is two inches or less and the rear is out of range, the shop is not adjusting correctly, get a second opinion. If the drop is 2.8 inch or greater, you need rear adjustable upper arms.
How often should I check alignment on a lowered WK2
At installation, at any tire replacement, and any time you hit a hard pothole or curb.
Bottom line
If your shop hits the numbers in this article, your lowered WK2 or Durango will drive better than it did stock, wear tires evenly, and feel planted at freeway speed. If your shop cannot hit these numbers, the truck is not the problem. Print this page, hand it to the tech, and if they push back, find a different shop.
For the platform wide picture, read our complete WK2 and Durango lowering guide. Questions on your specific alignment sheet, call Black Ops Auto Works at 855-221-9728, we will walk through your printout with you.
Related reading
- The complete WK2 and Durango lowering guide
- Rear adjustable upper control arms, when you need them
- Trackhawk lowering springs, Eibach vs Swift
- Quadra-Lift air suspension delete guide