I have an '01 f-250, 4x4, 7.3 with 260k on it and let's just say my maintenance has been lacking over the last few years. I am slowly saving up and buying parts to do the maintenance it badly needs and have bought some already. I have new front shocks and x code springs already (front springs sagging and I have a heavy abs bumper so I figured I might as well upgrade). I'll list what needs to be done below and tell me if you guys would do it all at one time or if it would make sense to go ahead and put parts on as I get them. This isn't a daily driver but I do use it a lot.

Here is the list of what it needs:
Front shocks (have these)
Front springs (have these)
Steering box rebuild
Upper and lower ball joints
Front axle u-joints, seals, and probably new hubs
Steering linkage kit
One lock in hub

I have done front end work on this truck in the past and I'm pretty mechanically inclined but this seems like a daunting list.

 

Yes - a somewhat intimidating list, but big jobs are a bunch of little tasks rolled together.

I would start with the ball joints and do the axle shaft u-joints and seals while it's apart. Then move on to the steering and lastly, the springs and shocks. I might ditch the factory hubs and put Milemarkers or Warns on the truck (look for MMs on sale for $100).

 

I just did ball joints, bearings, trac bar and Red Head steering box on mine....best money ever spent on the Red Head. Trucks steering is as tight as a sportscar.

 

I plan to do the redhead on mine too. I already have warn hubs but when one of the u-joints went out on the axle it tore the hub all to heck. Not the first time that has happened. Thanks for the tips.

 

I'm pretty sure the Warns are lifetime warranty. So a simple swap for a new one should be free. At Least that's the way it worked for my Bronco hubs.

I would try to do everything but the gear box at once. At that point it's only a one time job. Just my preference

 

Why do the gear box at a different time? Also, this happened once before on the warns and it was due to the u-joint going bad. They replaced one free then but said if it happened again (now on the other side) they would not replace it for free.

Also, forgot to mention in the original post but I'll replace the hubs as well while everything is apart. I'm looking at the 2 Timken hubs from Autozone as seen below. What is the difference in them (besides the major price difference and fine/course thread)? And why would fine/course thread matter anyway if one if that much cheaper? Couldn't I just use different lug nuts if it's not the same as what I already have? Thanks.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par..._434639_0_6542
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par..._434638_0_6542