For performance enthusiasts, drifters, and DIY tuners alike, toe angle is one of the most crucial and underrated alignment specs on a car. While camber and caster steal most of the spotlight, getting your toe alignment right can make or break your car’s handling, tire wear, and straight-line stability. That’s where toe in plates come in.
This guide will explain what toe in plates are, why they’re essential for your garage alignment toolkit, and how to use them for accurate, repeatable toe settings—especially on drift, track, and autocross builds.
What Are Toe In Plates?
Toe in plates (also called toe plates or alignment plates) are flat aluminum or steel panels that sit against your car’s wheels. With the use of measuring tapes, they allow you to quickly and accurately measure the toe angle between the front or rear wheels.
Unlike expensive laser or optical alignment rigs, toe in plates are portable, affordable, and require no calibration. Whether you’re fine-tuning alignment before a drift event or adjusting toe after replacing tie rods, they’re a must-have for precision toe control at home or at the track.
Toe Angle Basics – Toe In vs Toe Out
Toe refers to the direction the wheels point relative to each other when viewed from above:
- Toe In: Front of the wheels point toward each other (slightly “pigeon-toed”).
- Toe Out: Front of the wheels point away from each other (slightly “duck-footed”).
- Zero Toe: Wheels are perfectly parallel.
Toe settings affect steering response, corner entry stability, tire wear, and even braking control. For example, many drift setups run toe out in front for sharp turn-in, and toe in at the rear for high-speed stability.
Why Use Toe Plates Instead of an Alignment Shop?
- Precision: You control the setup and verify results in real-time.
- Cost Savings: No need to pay for frequent alignments after suspension changes.
- Consistency: Replicate your toe settings at every track day or test session.
- On-the-fly Adjustments: Make toe tweaks in the pits or paddock—no lift needed.
- Easy Setup: All you need is flat ground, toe plates, and tape measures.
How to Use Toe In Plates – Step-by-Step
- Place your car on flat ground with wheels straight.
- Lean the toe plates against the outside of each tire, ensuring full contact.
- Run tape measures through the lower cutouts (front and rear) of the toe plates.
- Read and record both front and rear measurements.
- Subtract rear from front to get total toe (positive = toe out, negative = toe in).
- Adjust tie rods or toe arms until desired reading is reached.
- Double-check readings and test drive to confirm handling feel.
How Much Toe Should You Run?
Toe settings depend on your vehicle’s use case. Here's a basic guide:
| Application | Front Toe | Rear Toe |
|---|---|---|
| Street | 0 to slight toe in | 0 to slight toe in |
| Track | 0 to slight toe out | 0 |
| Drift | 1/8" to 1/4" toe out | 1/16" to 1/8" toe in |
| Drag | 0 to slight toe in | 0 to slight toe in |
Always measure toe with the car at ride height and driver weight simulated (if possible). Alignment can change under load or corner weighting.
SLR Toe Plates – Designed for Drift and Racing Precision
SLR Toe Plates are precision CNC-cut from lightweight aluminum for durability and ease of use. Each kit includes dual plates and two tape measures. Unlike cheaper options, our plates sit flush against tires of all sizes and resist flex for consistent readings.
- Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum
- Width: Wide enough for 285+ tires
- Cutouts: Slotted for multiple height tire types
- Use: Front or rear toe adjustments
Common Alignment Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring with the steering wheel turned
- Taking only front or rear readings—not both
- Ignoring ride height or corner weight effect on toe
- Not locking down tie rod jam nuts after adjusting
- Assuming alignment is “close enough” by eye
Conclusion: Why Toe Plates Belong in Every Tool Kit
Whether you’re drifting, tracking, or just want perfect tire wear, toe in plates are the most efficient, accurate way to adjust toe alignment at home. When combined with proper ride height and camber setup, toe plates let you dial in serious performance for your build without a shop visit.
