'07 axles under the '01 Excursion - Conversion Thread
Thread Starter
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Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
Took the truck across a scale today. It weighed 8280 with me in it, and nothing but what it came with from the factory in the back. Subtract me, and you get 8080 pounds. I just found this interesting, as last time I went across that scale empty, it weighed 7800 empty. It might have gained 250 lbs from the swap...
800 lbs of scrap metal in the back, and it barely squatted 2 inches at the hitch. Rode like a dream with the 800 in the back. Unloaded it, and it was back to the "truck ride".
800 lbs of scrap metal in the back, and it barely squatted 2 inches at the hitch. Rode like a dream with the 800 in the back. Unloaded it, and it was back to the "truck ride".
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 322
From: Harned, Ky
We did the actual engine conversion four years ago but the salvage yard engine we installed was a piece of garbage, quart of oil every 400 miles and finally blew a head gasket.
It worked out that we were able to do the front end swap while we were building a fresh 5.9 to replace the bad engine. Adding the engine mounted air compressor and swapping the cast exhaust manifold for a stainless unit may have added 15-25 lbs.
Don't remember exactly but I think there's less than 100 lbs difference between a 5.9 12v and a 6.0 PS.
It worked out that we were able to do the front end swap while we were building a fresh 5.9 to replace the bad engine. Adding the engine mounted air compressor and swapping the cast exhaust manifold for a stainless unit may have added 15-25 lbs.
Don't remember exactly but I think there's less than 100 lbs difference between a 5.9 12v and a 6.0 PS.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Interesting. If you are able to parse it all out, I think you too, will find that the coil spring radius arm set up added between added between 150 to 200 lbs, between the heavier, wider front axle, the coils, the radius arms (even though hollow) the spring buckets, the radius arm anchors on the frame, which are heavier than the rear spring shackles, the slightly heavier steering gear, the 1 foot of gussets on other side of the front frame section you swapped, the radius arm anchor castings on the axle, the heavier steering knuckle, four more lug nuts and studs, etc etc. Despite the weight of solid leaf springs and cast shock towers, the ensemble of parts from the new set up amounts to more material when melted down into ingots.
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Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
Just finished the spring break trip on the new axles. 1600 miles traveled in the last 7 days.
19.8 MPG on the way up there (this includes a couple of stop and go traffic jams in Waco and Dallas) hand calculated. Ride is smooth as glass on the 275/70 R18 tires and suspension on the highway. Nice and firm off the pavement, with no swaying, bouncing or jouncing around. It handles ruts and pot holes like it was made for it.
Pulled about a 6k loaded stock trailer back. Got 12.2 MPG on the return trip.
Brakes are P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-A-L when towing. THIS IS WHY I MADE THIS AXLE SWAP A PRIORITY!! With the P3 controller working in unison, the X stops like a sports car while towing a load.
Turning radius with the trailer is priceless. Saved me in several parking lots when stopping for food/potty/rest stops.
19.8 MPG on the way up there (this includes a couple of stop and go traffic jams in Waco and Dallas) hand calculated. Ride is smooth as glass on the 275/70 R18 tires and suspension on the highway. Nice and firm off the pavement, with no swaying, bouncing or jouncing around. It handles ruts and pot holes like it was made for it.
Pulled about a 6k loaded stock trailer back. Got 12.2 MPG on the return trip.
Brakes are P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-A-L when towing. THIS IS WHY I MADE THIS AXLE SWAP A PRIORITY!! With the P3 controller working in unison, the X stops like a sports car while towing a load.
Turning radius with the trailer is priceless. Saved me in several parking lots when stopping for food/potty/rest stops.
New User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I am about to start the axle swap on my 05 Excursion. I want to use 4.30 gears and I am having a hard time locating a rear axle with the correct gears. For the front I have 05 to 07 front axle and front clip for the truck. Can I use the rear axle from an 08 truck? I was able to find one with very low mileage and in good shape from the same yard that I will get from front parts from. Thanks.
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Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
Yes, you can use the 08 axles. The keys to the rear axle part of this are the driveshaft flange and the shock mounting points. Make sure you account for these two things when selecting your donor axle.
I would get the flange with the donor if you can. Knock out the u-joint it is attached to, or get the whole driveshaft. Some 08+ axles have the shock mounts welded to the axles. Make sure you have the tools/skills to get around that if you find them that way. You could get lucky, and find they are both welded on the back side of the axle. I did see one like that.
I would get the flange with the donor if you can. Knock out the u-joint it is attached to, or get the whole driveshaft. Some 08+ axles have the shock mounts welded to the axles. Make sure you have the tools/skills to get around that if you find them that way. You could get lucky, and find they are both welded on the back side of the axle. I did see one like that.
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New User
Joined: May 2018
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Thanks for the quick reply. I have the resources needed to deal with the one shock mount the needs to be flipped. I will try to get the flange for the axle. Was worried about this and also the wheel speed sensors not fitting from my old axles into the new axles.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
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new axles. Ride is smooth as glass. Nice and firm off the pavement, with no swaying, bouncing or jouncing around. It handles ruts and pot holes like it was made for it.
Brakes are P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-A-L when towing. THIS IS WHY I MADE THIS AXLE SWAP A PRIORITY!! Turning radius with the trailer is priceless.
Brakes are P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-A-L when towing. THIS IS WHY I MADE THIS AXLE SWAP A PRIORITY!! Turning radius with the trailer is priceless.
Here's some (sour) grapes for you to snack on... have you ever had a hint of death wobble now that you're running the coils?
Seems that only the coil sprung trucks have reports of death wobble. Never hear of it with front leaf springs. Go ahead... munch on that.
(And let me know if you find any more donor parts in your friends junk yard)
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 584
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Nicmike, I just want to say many thanks to you good sir. I just got my conversion done on my 99 f250 (different animal, but much the same). I have referred back to your thread a few times to check and see how you did things. You did a lot of leg work for us and documented it very well and I very much appreciate that.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 322
From: Harned, Ky
Mine wobbled one time right after we got it together, we pulled it back in and rechecked all of the bolts and steering linkage, reset the alignment and made sure the track bar was good.
Hasn't wobbled since. Track bar condition is key to how well a coil spring front drives.
My old 79 F-150 was coil spring front, it never death wobbled but when the track bar bushings got loose it would wonder all over the road.
Hasn't wobbled since. Track bar condition is key to how well a coil spring front drives.
My old 79 F-150 was coil spring front, it never death wobbled but when the track bar bushings got loose it would wonder all over the road.
Thread Starter
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Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
Stop it. Just stop it. You're making me hurt. (with envy).
Here's some (sour) grapes for you to snack on... have you ever had a hint of death wobble now that you're running the coils?
Seems that only the coil sprung trucks have reports of death wobble. Never hear of it with front leaf springs. Go ahead... munch on that.
(And let me know if you find any more donor parts in your friends junk yard)
Here's some (sour) grapes for you to snack on... have you ever had a hint of death wobble now that you're running the coils?
Seems that only the coil sprung trucks have reports of death wobble. Never hear of it with front leaf springs. Go ahead... munch on that.
(And let me know if you find any more donor parts in your friends junk yard)
I'm in the middle of my cross country trip. Gonna be through KY on Friday evening.
Lots of parts at the yard. They are going fast, though. Every time I let someone from the forum drive it, they are sold on the conversion.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 322
From: Harned, Ky
Friday evening! Ok, when you get closer send me a text about when you think you'll be getting close to Elizabethtown, take me about 45 minutes to get there.
Text 27zero nine four5 fifty five fifty1
Text 27zero nine four5 fifty five fifty1