Here's the deal. I got an alignment years ago when I had the stock Goodyears. The outer edge of the tires started cupping and wearing faster than the inner edge. I then upgraded to 17" wheels and terra grapplers. The outer edge cupping and wear still existed but not as bad.

Heres the funny thing. I replaced every single front end component that effects alignment. I got my tie rod ends as close as possible to where it should be. I even adjusted the upper control arms IN a little bit to put more wear on the inside of my tires.

The reasons I did it myself as an experiment was because my tires need to be replaced soon and I was just seeing what would happen. Well, now my tires are wearing perfectly flat and my truck drives perfectly straight.

How could my ghetto alignment adjustments have better results than a professional shop? Should I just leave it how it is when I get new tires?

 

Of course you need an alignment after changing the steering geometry components. They're not that expensive.

 

What I'm trying to say is, When I got an alignment I had bad front tire cupping. When I adjusted everything myself, my tires wear completely flat. The price is not whats deterring me from getting one. But why spend the $100 only to wear out my new tires faster.

 

If it tracks well and tires are wearing well, why bother?? It's not a commandment to get an alignment!! I had Ball joints, tie rod ends, and connecting link replaced. My truck (06 Mega Cab) has never had an alignment in 160 thousand miles!!! Drives straight as an arrow, no shakes at 80mph or any speed, and decent tire wear.
BTW I am still on my second set of tires since new. Tire tread still passes inspection.

 

You have a solid front axle, the OP has independent...very different. Alignment is not really required for ball joints on your truck, but typically you would want to adjust the toe after changing your tie rod ends. (But you can get them quite close by measuring the old)

An independent front end seems to like more frequent tire rotations. Even if you have a proper alignment they seem to always have some form of uneven tire wear, especially with more aggressive tires.

 

I didn't notice the OP saying what he has.
I was just basically saying if he's happy with the wear and the ride, why bother?

 

Right you are, I just assumed it was a 1500 then!

 

Thats what Im saying. If my tires are wearing perfect now, why bother getting an alignment. I used to be on this forum a lot more a few years back and I remember a lot of guys were having cupping issues. Im beginning to think dodge has there alignment settings range and tad bit off. I don't know what causes cupping; toe in, caster? But if dodge specs are off, every alignment shop references it causing a lot of vehicles to have cupping issues.

Thats my take on it. It would't be the first time a manufacture messed up on some specs. I have a rear end shop that told me that the reasons dodge axles have a pinion bearing issue was because they are too tight from the factory. I had my clutch pack clips dislodged. Then years down the road, my pinion bearing went out. Two different, isolated problems.

May not be true, but just thinking out loud.

 

But yes, I do have a 1500 with 305/70R17 terra grapplers which are a 34x12.5" tire

 

How long have you been on your diy alignment to say that the tire wear is fine?

After I did my front end sure she drove straight, she didnt pull, the guys commented how good I did matching up the new parts, but the before specs were still uneven on toe and camber as per the machine.