Do our F150's need 4 wheel alignment or is a Front End alignment all that is needed?

I'm pricing tires on Town Fair Tire website, and they are recommending a 4 wheel alignment for my F150. I always thought the you don't need a 4 wheel alignment if you have a straight axle in the back.
It's a 2016 XLT SCREW with 4 wheel drive.

Town Fair Tire Web Site Says.... Factory Recommended 4 wheel alignment $55.00

 

front end only, only time you need the rear is if the axle has been taken out

 

A good shop when doing an alignment, will measure the rear for thrust angle and toe and such so your not going down the road like crab.

 

Generally solid rear axles need no shimming unless something has broken, or it has been in a rear side collision. There are no adjustments to the axle itself. That being said, to echo 'Wicked ace', most alignment machines will show the rear specs before the front, so if the rear is out and making the truck "crab walk", they should inform you and discuss options to shim the rear end or realign whatever is causing it to be out.

That being said, you only have adjustments on the front, and don't expect an alignment shop to approach you about the rear. If you are charged for a 4 wheel alignment though, have them show you what they adjusted on the rear, because they are more than likely trying to screw you out of a quick $20-30.

 

2016 F-150 3.5L 4X4 Platinum. Hibdons said an alignment would be an extra $90 because of the lane assist system. What kind of witchery is this? I could understand a 4 wheel alignment but, to charge me a total of $180 of which $90 is to reset the lane assist system. I told them to back it out and I would come and get it.

 

I pay $80.00 for my truck. Two wheel alignment from a shop that only does alignments for over 30 yrs and family owned.

 

I'd say if the truck is lifted, definitely get a 4wheel alignment.

 

Like many/most shops my shop has simplified it down to just an "Alignment" with one price for all. The equipment has changed and gotten MUCH faster, easier, and better over the years so that all cars and trucks are setup the same. If there is an angle that is out and is made adjustable by the manufacturer then it gets corrected. Period. Back in the day indeed it was typical to offer 3 different alignments (front end, thrust angle, and four wheel) and each had a different for the flat rate technician hence the different price. There sometimes is an additional surcharge to adjust angles using aftermarket products or techniques in cases that an angle needs to be addressed but the manufacturer did not make the angle adjustable.

To answer the OP's question, these F150's are not adjustable in the rear. If it is significantly out back there, and so bad that the thrust angle is going to leave 4 tracks in the snow (don't laugh I've seen it), then something has shifted and needs to be repaired before the alignment should be performed.

Edit: On snap!!! Just realized that I replied to an old revived thread. Sure the OP has gotten it figured out by now!! LOL

 

They showed me the computer and also saw that the inner tie rod is swept where u put the wrench to move the toe, they said i have to replace both from the front and camber was like 0.3 and 0.3 and caster was good,but toe was adjusted to 0.8 on the left and 0.12 on right because it was bad and the steering is crooked, the truck is going straight but crooked steering, they said i have to replace em cause its hard to adjust it because of the way the inner rods are and then adjust 0.10 both sides, 400 for everything alignment included, are the camber measurements correct and caster was also good i dont remember the measurements and the steer ahead ig its called was on .0 and -.50 both sides on the rear i really dont know about the angles but i remember a lil

Its swept where u put the wrenchs to adjust

 

Looks to me that it’s a rust issue making it difficult to adjust the toe. If that the case then the tie rods need to be taken apart and freed up so that they can again be easily adjusted. Truth be told 99% of the time if a mechanic takes apart the tie rods said mechanic is going to replace them.