05+ suspension in 03 7.3

Addicted4 · Jun 25, 2015

Gathering parts for my swap, current truck rides like a tractor cause the shocks and spring bushings are wore out. I acquired a complete rolling chassis for $1000 bucks so going to make the swap. Just looking for ideas on leveling kit for the 05 suspension and shocks? And is it worth switching the rear springs to 08 or newer?

What are the actual differences in the rear axles from 99-04 to 05-07? Curious

Main reason is turning radius I hear is amazing, brakes are bigger which is a plus and the ride should be better imo

Thanks

dsberman94 · Jun 25, 2015

Rear axle width is different. Might just want to make sure your gear ratios are the same as well or the speedo and shift points will be off. Also the wheel lug thread will be different from your current wheel lug thread.

Addicted4 · Jun 25, 2015

Are the brakes on the rear axle bigger as well?

Strokersace · Jun 25, 2015

Ok, before you get too much misinformation from the last poster...

The front and rear axle of the 05+ are wider than the 99-04. This is why the wheels have more of s positive offset. They also have larger brakes, therefore, making the minimum wheel size a 17". Sperman is right about the lug bolt thread pattern, except Ford made the change in 02/03, so if you currently have 14mmx 1.5 threaded lug nuts, you're fine. Just can't run 16" wheels. The gear ratios don't make a dang bit of difference as you can adjust for that very easily. He apparently doesn't know that you can adjust for that electronically...

Vader's Fury · Jun 25, 2015

dsberman94 said:
Rear axle width is different. Might just want to make sure your gear ratios are the same as well or the speedo and shift points will be off. Also the wheel lug thread will be different from your current wheel lug thread.

Lug threads are the same although if he got a complete rolling chassis I would assume it came with wheel and of course lug nuts to hold the wheels on so that should be a moot point.

Gear ratio doesn't matter as anyone with A/E and some know how can adjust all that for him.

Addicted4 · Jun 26, 2015

Any ideas on leveling kit and shocks? 08 rear springs worth the swap? 05 steering box differences?

FrankTheTank · Jun 26, 2015

The 05 steering box will be the same as yours if you have an 03+, just swap the pitman arms. As for a leveling kit, I recommend going with leveling coils but spacers will work. Keep in mind that when you level it you WILL NEED and adj. Track bar to re-center the axle. For shocks I recommend the fox 2.0 shocks

FrankTheTank · Jun 26, 2015

I hear the 08 spring swap isn't worth it unless you have 2013+ springs

Addicted4 · Jun 26, 2015

So the 03 box is the same as 05-07?

TyCorr · Jun 26, 2015

Where do you honkys find trucks to do this for a grand?

My 00 would love this but im not spending 3500 for a wrecked truck to do this.

UNBROKEN · Jun 26, 2015

FrankTheTank said:
Keep in mind that when you level it you WILL NEED and adj. Track bar to re-center the axle.

No really....a new drop bracket is much cheaper and works just as well for just a level.

Addicted4 · Jun 27, 2015

Do you gain anything from going to the 05 steering box over the 03 I have now?

Vader's Fury · Jun 28, 2015

Just a newer steering box. (05 vs 03)

FrankTheTank · Jul 5, 2015

Sorry, internally the 03 box is the same as the 05. The fittings on the top are different so to avoid making custom lines for no reason. Keep the 03 box and just swap pitman arms since they are spine the same. If you need a new box, buy a new 03 box

Jomax · Jul 5, 2015

FrankTheTank said:
Sorry, internally the 03 box is the same as the 05. The fittings on the top are different so to avoid making custom lines for no reason. Keep the 03 box and just swap pitman arms since they are spine the same. If you need a new box, buy a new 03 box

Top fittings were the same for me.. my 99 had a 2006 steering box. All I had to do was make the frame holes a bit bigger for the bigger bolts. PS lines went right in.

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FrankTheTank · Jul 5, 2015

that makes me wonder that the 03 box someone gave me was actually a 97 older box..........

But internally the box was upgraded in 03 as far a my research goes.

Addicted4 · Jul 5, 2015

From my research on the swap, the 05-07 boxes have different spline pitman arms? I will check since I have a 05 box that was with the frame cutoff that I bought. Pulled the axle from the frame along with all the brackets that I need so time to replace u-joints and ball joints before the axle goes in