Front end alignment cost??

It has been mentioned that Ford does not align their bare chassis with straight axles because they do not know what is going to go on the chassis. This is false. The center link/tie rod is placed between the steering knuckles after being set to a predetermined length and this sets the toe within the factory specs. With a straight front axle the camber, toe and, theoretically, the caster do not change when the box, bed or house is placed on the chassis. As the suspension settles the drag link shortens or lengthens the distance from the steering box to the left steering knuckle. The only part of the steering that moves as this length changes is the position of the steering box and the steering wheel. The tie rod length does not change therefore the toe does not change and the camber and caster are built in to the axle and are not adjustable in theory You can shim the axle for a caster change and bend the axle for a camber change but this is usually unnecessary.
Randy