Me too, I wish there was some way to show it in a video, but I really haven't figured out how, so you guys will just have to take my word for it! Still installing, but should have the video ready for next week, if i can get an alignment.
I've bought several red head steering boxes over the years and I have never had a bad one, although driving to Auburn to pick them up sucks lol. They're a great outfit
Last month my 03 Exc 6.8 original owner 218K i was starting out on a bridge on 95 in Maryland near a tractor trailer and combo wind and wake they my truck jumped 3 feet, i dont know how i didnt crash. Thanks will try this. I am kind of used to the wander but my 25 year old couldnt even drive the truck
Ya, I think I'd start with going down and having an alignment shop shake down the truck, make sure your ball joints and wheel bearings are good, and see if any of the tie-rod/drag link need replaced. The steering gear is a big upgrade, and if all the rest of your front end is tight it's all you need.
@@Geeks4x4 Great thanks, I did the ball joints about 5 K ago. Original hubs. I will do hubs and all ends and link etc before the big swing. I heard someone else say the Ex front leaf springs were softer than the trucks. Thanks
Yes, the stock leaf springs were softer then the trucks, to give the ex's a better ride, but after 20 years they are all sagged out. That would be something else to consider, I've got a whole series on excursion suspension upgrades, this truck has superduty springs under it.
i just spent 1400 on upper and lower ball joints on one side i think and had a locking hub replaced on my 2000 v10 excursion now the wheels refuse to come back to center. i've tightened the steering box but it hasn't helped at all. ive done alot of googling and found it could be several issues but i think its either the ball joint was tightened to much or a bad universal. do you have any suggestions?
There is a break in period on that. I did my own last year and initially was tight but got better in a few k miles. But they might have not done the correct torque sequence
Even the best alignment guys cant align it with worn out parts. But yes if all these components are good a tight then an alignment should be all it needs!
@@Geeks4x4 I've done alignments for around eight years now and you are very correct. A shakedown wasn't done, at least on camera, so I couldn't tell you. Visually though nothing really popped out as problematic hence my statement.
@@rvndmnmt1 All I showed in this video was the parts I had a bad track bar end, and draglink to pitman arm, plus the steering box was factory at 325K miles, tightened over the years and she was ready... so I decided to replace them all, there was another video released Wednesday of the steering box install and the other components will be next weeks! Thanks for watching!
@@Geeks4x4 yep. Imagine with that steering box that vehicle tracked like crap. I've also seen worn bushings on a trackbar introduce a death wobble. I think I also saw the steering stabilizer being replaced? Sounds like you had a few issues with that. Good luck with this project.
@@rvndmnmt1 Stabilizer just had to be unbolted, its pretty new. But ya i had all the stuff... just trying to help others out, the Redhead box is a big upgrade IMO.
Definitely interested to see how much it improves the drivability of the EX.
Me too, I wish there was some way to show it in a video, but I really haven't figured out how, so you guys will just have to take my word for it! Still installing, but should have the video ready for next week, if i can get an alignment.
Is this a f250 steering box? 7:34
Same as the excursions for the years so technically yes but no it’s a stock replacement
@@Geeks4x4 I commented in another video on how the coilover swap required a f250 box…. So trying to understand if this was an EX box or F250 box.
This truck is not coil swapped. No you can ream the factory excursion pitman arm hole or swap the 05-07 box.
@@Geeks4x4 I didn’t realize they were different excursions thank you
@@robdmau ya no worries😎
My blue top was Junk from the begining!
05 Ex,,,
Ya… had a similar experience with the blue top, I really like my redhead, have installed 3 now all been very nice and still are.
@@Geeks4x4 Cool to know Ya doin Steering shaft now at 175000..think its done to..
Interesting, both of my shafts are original still, one has 342k the other 221… let me know if you feel any difference replacing it.
I've bought several red head steering boxes over the years and I have never had a bad one, although driving to Auburn to pick them up sucks lol. They're a great outfit
They'll ship em anywhere, but if your close enough, pick up is to nice!
@@Geeks4x4 I'm up near Everett so it's not to bad to go and pick it up I just don't dig the traffic, it's nice to see local guys here on the TH-cam
@@timsmith1589 awesome man! I'm through there a bunch on the way to see family on Whidbey.
@@Geeks4x4 Whidbey is a cool place
Last month my 03 Exc 6.8 original owner 218K i was starting out on a bridge on 95 in Maryland near a tractor trailer and combo wind and wake they my truck jumped 3 feet, i dont know how i didnt crash. Thanks will try this. I am kind of used to the wander but my 25 year old couldnt even drive the truck
Ya, I think I'd start with going down and having an alignment shop shake down the truck, make sure your ball joints and wheel bearings are good, and see if any of the tie-rod/drag link need replaced. The steering gear is a big upgrade, and if all the rest of your front end is tight it's all you need.
@@Geeks4x4 Great thanks, I did the ball joints about 5 K ago. Original hubs. I will do hubs and all ends and link etc before the big swing. I heard someone else say the Ex front leaf springs were softer than the trucks. Thanks
Yes, the stock leaf springs were softer then the trucks, to give the ex's a better ride, but after 20 years they are all sagged out. That would be something else to consider, I've got a whole series on excursion suspension upgrades, this truck has superduty springs under it.
i just spent 1400 on upper and lower ball joints on one side i think and had a locking hub replaced on my 2000 v10 excursion now the wheels refuse to come back to center. i've tightened the steering box but it hasn't helped at all. ive done alot of googling and found it could be several issues but i think its either the ball joint was tightened to much or a bad universal. do you have any suggestions?
If i had just paid someone that much I'd be marching back in there and having them fix it, Ya sounds like something wasn't installed correctly.
There is a break in period on that. I did my own last year and initially was tight but got better in a few k miles. But they might have not done the correct torque sequence
Basically wasted money on a complete front end rebuild. All you probably needed was a decent alignment.
Even the best alignment guys cant align it with worn out parts. But yes if all these components are good a tight then an alignment should be all it needs!
@@Geeks4x4 I've done alignments for around eight years now and you are very correct. A shakedown wasn't done, at least on camera, so I couldn't tell you. Visually though nothing really popped out as problematic hence my statement.
@@rvndmnmt1 All I showed in this video was the parts I had a bad track bar end, and draglink to pitman arm, plus the steering box was factory at 325K miles, tightened over the years and she was ready... so I decided to replace them all, there was another video released Wednesday of the steering box install and the other components will be next weeks! Thanks for watching!
@@Geeks4x4 yep. Imagine with that steering box that vehicle tracked like crap. I've also seen worn bushings on a trackbar introduce a death wobble. I think I also saw the steering stabilizer being replaced? Sounds like you had a few issues with that. Good luck with this project.
@@rvndmnmt1 Stabilizer just had to be unbolted, its pretty new. But ya i had all the stuff... just trying to help others out, the Redhead box is a big upgrade IMO.