I want to run 37s on it so yeah I need the extra couple of inches of lift.
Rear springs are needed for lift purposes I assume? I was planning on modded B-codes anyway so I guess that is a given. I’ll make sure the brake cables etc are with the axle.
I am still learning about my Ex, so with the 6.0 do I have Hydroboost for brakes and steering already? I know there is a vacuum pump on the truck for other stuff so surely it isn’t used for the brake assist too? Reason asking is because I’ve seen guys talking about swapping it in with the other front end parts etc etc so making sure that doesn’t need to be on my list as well....

 

Your 6.0 has a hydroboost. You still need the bigger master cylinder to power the bigger brake calipers. It is a pretty easy task to get it in there. I wrote detailed instructions with pics in this thread.

F code springs are very comparable to the older B codes in case you run into the different rear leaf letters on the newer trucks.

 

 

In most cases... I ordered custom brackets (no frame holes except for the hot rivet hole) and didn't get any hardware. It was great that that made me custom brackets, but a real bummer they didn't see the need to include the hardware. Too bad they don't make a 99-04 version of the brackets where the frame holes line up correctly.

 

I'm REALLY interested in doing this:My X struggles stopping my 10k trailer so brakes are a big issue. Did anyone ever determine if the later axles will work under the X? (Mine is an 05)

 

 

 

Try posts 74 and 301. I think it is a 20mm bar up front. The '08 bars are quite a bit thicker.

 

Up to '10 is covered here. '11 and up would require more work and research.

 

Im starting to look into doing the rear axle swap, I know the 05-07 is a straight forward replacement. My question is I found a good deal on an '08 rear axle. Do you see any issues with this? Cant find any info on the differences in brakes and/or if the speed sensor will be a problem. Thanks.

 

Brakes are the same, and you would still use your old speed sensor. You will have to shorten your driveshaft with an '08, though. It would be a really good idea to get the donor driveshaft...or at least the flange to match the newer axle.

 

Thank you, I think I will keep an eye out for an 05-07 axle.

 

Finally getting around to posting some info on some differences on a MY 2008 F250 front axle donor (build date 06/07). Back on June 16 I went to the Gold Mine with Mike to pull my axles for my 01EX axle upgrade. First of all, that is some tough work, especially in that Texas heat. I'm not sure if I helped Mike or hindered him. If he has pulled axles for any of you, you need to thank him again. That was a full day of work.

On to the differences.
1. Coil buckets have a locating dimple on them.



This is the corresponding locating dimple in the frame on the 08 donor F250

This will not fit our EX frames and must be removed. I know Mike's intention was to keep this cheap and simple for the driveway DIYer. However My father-in-law has a metal fabrication business, so this is my fix

Remove the dimple with a plasma cutter




Cut out a washer with the plasma cutter to fill the hole and weld it in



Then grind it smooth(ish)



After I got these home I realized I shouldn't have had the hole burnt in the middle. I should have just had a blank welded in and used an existing hole in the frame. If I would use the hole in the washer that was welded into the coil bucket, the frame would get another hole where the red dot is.

I'll probably just use the hole above and to the right of the red dot.

2. The splice in the frame is gone. On the 08 and newer trucks (at least I suspect this, I only looked at the 08) The frame is one piece, not 2 like our EXs. This in itself is not a problem, but this splice is where the radius arm bracket sits.

08 frame - You can see the rust where the radius arm bracket was removed. This is the area where the splice is on our EXs


EX frame - The red parts are the splice areas, the blue numbers are the 3 existing holes for the radius arm brackets, the green is a rivet for the splice that is under the radius arm bracket.


The 07 and earlier radius arm bracket had 4 holes across the bottom, 3 for rivets/bolts and 1 to go over the rivet for the splice. The 08 and later radius arm brackets don't have a hole to go over the splice rivet on our EXs. I just realized I don't have a pic of my radius arm brackets without the hole, I'll get one up later. If you look up to post #153 in this thread, the 3rd pic from the bottom shows the 4 side mounted bolts. It also shows what appears to be a hole in the radius arm bracket with no bolt (upper left corner of pic). This is the hole that goes over the splice rivet. Post #160 in this thread, 2nd pic from bottom also shows this hole (almost cut off on the left side of the pic). I will have to drill a hole in each radius arm bracket for the rivet.

3. The radius arm bracket is also made differently on 08 and later, but the difference doesn't seem to change anything. I'm not quite to that point yet but should be this weekend and will update if the changed bracket changes anything.

 

On my 04 F-450 because the steering box for the 07 wouldn't work on my frame we cut the front rivets out, cut the splice welds and removed the entire front frame section.
We slid the 07's frame in place and bolted it together where the rivets had been with flange head bolts.
The inner splice section helps hold and align the rails as they go back together.
After everything was set straight and level we rewelded the splices.
Since the engine was out this cut down on the amount of work at takes to strip down two frames.
The radius arm brackets were the only other parts that we had to remove from the 07 frame.