I just wanted to share my joy with a bunch of guys that would understand.

2005 Ex, 6.0PSD with 95,000
The steering was HORRIBLE and has been for 15,000 miles. I finally broke down and replaced the steering box with a RedHead and the ball joints with OEM. Plus an alignment. Man, what a difference. Even my daughter commented to me last night that the Ex was much easier to drive and handle.

I also replaced the two front hubs as they were sticking and would not disengage...

Cost me a pretty penny...my wife is still wondering why...

But I anticipate it will be lots easier to drive this summer on our various outings with the travel trailer.

And thanks to FTE I got great advice on the RedHead and ball joints...

I lurk most of the time, but wanted to share the joy of having my truck back and a joy to drive again...

CARMK

 

Couldn't agree more! I already had a new ball joint and tie rod ends, but I just did the steering box this year. It really improved how well it drove. I just did shocks too, which fixed all my harsh ride issues as expected.

Now I just need to address the brakes and it'll be perfect again!

You've been a member for a while, are you also an original owner of your Ex?

 

Yep, me too, the 05 received the Red Head last Thursday, new cryo rotors and hawk LTS pads on the way and new calipers this coming weekend. New rancho 9000xl last year and I suspect new ball joints this fall. I installed a new cold side ( from inter cooler to intake manifold) aluminized steel pipe the other day to replace the plastic one that fails under load from Tousley Ford pn 6c3z6c640aa as well, and a new air filter, milage 97'xxx, forgot to mention the new michlelin LTX M/S 2's last fall.
My wife thinks she has a new truck! This is a good thing!

Keep on truckin!

 

Well I broke down and ordered ball joints this morning, as long as I'm doing brakes and rotors I might as well go all the way and do them as well.

 

Good choice on the ball joints...

Sunline - no, I am not the original owner. I had a 2005 F150 that I thought could tow a 26ft travel trailer. First real trip to South Dakota with 6 people in the truck (ie a kid between me and my wife) made me realize that it was not adequate. On the way back to Denver from South Dakota an earlier model Excursion flew past us pulling a large trailer. I knew right then I was going to trade my F150 in on an Excursion and immediately began my search. I found my truck in Salt Lake with a broker who picked it up from the original owner in SoCa. Within 45 days of the South Dakota trip the Ex was sitting in my driveway. 18,000 miles and very clean. The people who had it only used it for ski vacations to the Sierra Nevadas. It needed an alignment real bad, but was otherwise clean.

Since then and 80,000 miles later I have put a ton of money into this truck. EGR, oil cooler, shocks, Hellwig, ball joints, steering box, FICM, CAC tube, new batteries, etc. It has tried to drain my wallet dry...but like my mechanic said last time I was there - I have replaced all the risky parts but the fuel injectors. But it is all worth it cause now I can pull my travel trailer with no problem.

Would I do it again, probably. Will I keep it forever? Absolutely.

Thanks for letting me tell my story...

CARMK

 

I also have just purchesed a 2005 6l and after reading these stories, I'm hoping I did not make a mistake. We plan on using it as our family ride, but not a daily driver, and to tow our 30 foot airstream. It's bone stock so..... I guess we'll see how my wallet survives.

 

If you're that far into upgrades, I suggest that you check the swaybar links, too.

I've got a couple of grand into tires, ball joints, Red Head, etc. I knew that the bushings in the swaybar links were shot, but kept getting distracted whenever I'd think about swapping them out. This past weekend I finally "got around to it". Best $30 and 30 minutes I ever spent. I can't believe how much noise the worn links were transmitting into the cab!