'07 axles under the '01 Excursion - Conversion Thread
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 322
From: Harned, Ky
If your coming south on I-79 through WV or west on I-64 and have a little time that US 19 to the New River Gorge Bridge about 18 miles north of Beckley.
Third highest bridge in the US, 876 ft, one of the longest single arch bridges in the world, 1700 ft, road deck is over 3000 ft long.
You can also tour the old road below the bride, some really nice sites to see
When the wife and I flew to NJ to purchase her pickup we stopped there after touring Hershey Chocolate and Gettysburg on the way home, made a mini vacation out of the trip.
Still can't get over that 5 lb chocolate bar they had in Hershey's souvenir shop,
wife wouldn't let me get it. 
Third highest bridge in the US, 876 ft, one of the longest single arch bridges in the world, 1700 ft, road deck is over 3000 ft long.
You can also tour the old road below the bride, some really nice sites to see
When the wife and I flew to NJ to purchase her pickup we stopped there after touring Hershey Chocolate and Gettysburg on the way home, made a mini vacation out of the trip.
Still can't get over that 5 lb chocolate bar they had in Hershey's souvenir shop,
wife wouldn't let me get it.
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 56
Likes: 9
This thread has taken me 3 days to read all the way through... but it's pretty amazing and helpful. Thank you for diligently posting pictures of every step. I'll be using a lot of your information in my upcoming build.
Thread Starter
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Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
One tip, though. Use loctite/threadlocker where you found it when putting your bolts back in the front end parts/brakes. They can back out if you don't use it where Ford prescribes it.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
It was also very nice to meet you and your wife. Trip went well, and I returned home last night all in one piece. The truck performed flawlessly on the trip, and I now have 10k miles on the conversion. No issues.
One tip, though. Use loctite/threadlocker where you found it when putting your bolts back in the front end parts/brakes. They will back out if you don't use it where Ford prescribes it.
One tip, though. Use loctite/threadlocker where you found it when putting your bolts back in the front end parts/brakes. They will back out if you don't use it where Ford prescribes it.
Thread Starter
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Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
A caliper bracket mounting bolt backed out on me. Caught it just before it fell out. Heard a clicking sound slowing for a stop light. So glad I don't listen to the radio anymore. The other three were still tight. I neglected to put thread locker on at least that one. I need to pull them all now that I am back home, and put thread locker on all of them.
New User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
Nicmike, thank you for posting this incredible write up. I just finished my conversion and I primarily used this thread for gathering all my parts and guiding the way. I will try to post some pictures soon when I get a chance.
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New User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
For some additional info about my conversion, I used PMF's 3.5" drop fabricated radius arm replacement brackets, Carli 4.5" coils with 2.3 degree caster sleeves which gave me +4.5 caster. The ride is incredible compared to the leaf springs, turning radius is a huge improvement and I can feel the additional braking power even though I only replaced the front axle. I will be getting Carli's 4.5" Full leaf packs soon to level out the truck and really improve the ride even more.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
For some additional info about my conversion, I used PMF's 3.5" drop fabricated radius arm replacement brackets, Carli 4.5" coils with 2.3 degree caster sleeves which gave me +4.5 caster. The ride is incredible compared to the leaf springs, turning radius is a huge improvement and I can feel the additional braking power even though I only replaced the front axle. I will be getting Carli's 4.5" Full leaf packs soon to level out the truck and really improve the ride even more.
New User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
My brackets are not close to the cross brace at all. Maybe you had them mocked up in the wrong spot. Got my 4.5” Carli Full leaf pack installed today too. I can’t believe the ride quality this truck has now. For a ‘99 it is awesome!
