Lunch box truck build thread with pics!
#1
Lunch box truck build thread with pics!
Hi All,
This is my first highboy, it's a Heinz 57, or as I like to call it, "The Lunch Box Truck". I decided to put it in the dent side forum instead of the bump side because all of the running gear, the part I need help with, is from dent sides so I hope y'all don't mind. The trans is a '76 NP435, the front axle is from a '73-75 crew cab and the steering gearbox is from a '79, the cab is from a '71 F350 and the grill inserts are for a '70.....bla bla bla. I picked it up about two months ago in Missouri. PO1 started the resto over twenty years ago, they did a fine job of collecting all of the parts (the sheet metal is in fantastic shape) but never completely finished it. PO2, whom I bought it from, finished it, but did a **** poor job. PO2 gave it a 6" suspension lift, 2" body lift and 38 super swampers. I like the way it looks now, but I want to use it as a fair weather DD, so I'm in the process of lowering it. For now I am going to remove the body lift, take out 2" of suspension lift and go with either 285/70 -17s (34") or 35s.
I would like to say thanks to all of the kind folks from FTE that have already helped me with a few issues.
This is my first highboy, it's a Heinz 57, or as I like to call it, "The Lunch Box Truck". I decided to put it in the dent side forum instead of the bump side because all of the running gear, the part I need help with, is from dent sides so I hope y'all don't mind. The trans is a '76 NP435, the front axle is from a '73-75 crew cab and the steering gearbox is from a '79, the cab is from a '71 F350 and the grill inserts are for a '70.....bla bla bla. I picked it up about two months ago in Missouri. PO1 started the resto over twenty years ago, they did a fine job of collecting all of the parts (the sheet metal is in fantastic shape) but never completely finished it. PO2, whom I bought it from, finished it, but did a **** poor job. PO2 gave it a 6" suspension lift, 2" body lift and 38 super swampers. I like the way it looks now, but I want to use it as a fair weather DD, so I'm in the process of lowering it. For now I am going to remove the body lift, take out 2" of suspension lift and go with either 285/70 -17s (34") or 35s.
I would like to say thanks to all of the kind folks from FTE that have already helped me with a few issues.
#2
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: North Central Washington
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#4
I love your truck!
I would agree with you to tame it down just a little, I would remove the body lift and change out the tires and rims to something a little less aggressive and see how it looks before removing springs and blocks.
I have a 6" lift on mine and I use it about half the time as a DD and I find the size manageable in the Suburbs. I'm sure your truck would be easier to park where you are.
Keep us posted on your progress!
I would agree with you to tame it down just a little, I would remove the body lift and change out the tires and rims to something a little less aggressive and see how it looks before removing springs and blocks.
I have a 6" lift on mine and I use it about half the time as a DD and I find the size manageable in the Suburbs. I'm sure your truck would be easier to park where you are.
Keep us posted on your progress!
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: North Bay Ont Canada
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#6
Thanks Andre, I may have to take her on a little road trip to Wisconsin some day.
Tim,
In the process of looking for a truck it seemed like there are was ton of highboys that were in great shape from Washington. You should get another one.
Thanks for the complement!
Thanks Steve, your truck looks really nice, I love that color combo!
I want to get it down were I don't need to pull on the steering wheel and door handle to pull my fat **** in.
PO2 added a 2" block under the Skyjacker F746S front springs so I'm just going to remove the homemade blocks and keep the springs.
Thanks Gerry. The pic of the black truck was perfect! Those are the wheels I am going to get.
In the process of looking for a truck it seemed like there are was ton of highboys that were in great shape from Washington. You should get another one.
Thanks for the complement!
I love your truck!
I would agree with you to tame it down just a little, I would remove the body lift and change out the tires and rims to something a little less aggressive and see how it looks before removing springs and blocks.
I have a 6" lift on mine and I use it about half the time as a DD and I find the size manageable in the Suburbs. I'm sure your truck would be easier to park where you are.
Keep us posted on your progress!
I would agree with you to tame it down just a little, I would remove the body lift and change out the tires and rims to something a little less aggressive and see how it looks before removing springs and blocks.
I have a 6" lift on mine and I use it about half the time as a DD and I find the size manageable in the Suburbs. I'm sure your truck would be easier to park where you are.
Keep us posted on your progress!
I want to get it down were I don't need to pull on the steering wheel and door handle to pull my fat **** in.
PO2 added a 2" block under the Skyjacker F746S front springs so I'm just going to remove the homemade blocks and keep the springs.
Thanks Gerry. The pic of the black truck was perfect! Those are the wheels I am going to get.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: North Bay Ont Canada
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#11
Good point on those blocks on the front springs, I would remove those too if I was in your shoes and level out the truck.
Again.... Very NICE truck!
Reminds me of my very first truck when I was 17 back in 1979. I had a 1972 F250 Ranger XLT CS. Bumpsides definitly tug on the old setimental heart strings especially as nice as yours.
This was mine back in 1980 (or 81). I couldn't afford the 1979 model yet, that would be 2 or 3 years down the road.
Again.... Very NICE truck!
Reminds me of my very first truck when I was 17 back in 1979. I had a 1972 F250 Ranger XLT CS. Bumpsides definitly tug on the old setimental heart strings especially as nice as yours.
This was mine back in 1980 (or 81). I couldn't afford the 1979 model yet, that would be 2 or 3 years down the road.
#12
Thanks John, sure beats the green one I almost got.
Good point on those blocks on the front springs, I would remove those too if I was in your shoes and level out the truck.
Again.... Very NICE truck!
Reminds me of my very first truck when I was 17 back in 1979. I had a 1972 F250 Ranger XLT CS. Bumpsides definitly tug on the old setimental heart strings especially as nice as yours.
This was mine back in 1980 (or 81). I couldn't afford the 1979 model yet, that would be 2 or 3 years down the road.
Again.... Very NICE truck!
Reminds me of my very first truck when I was 17 back in 1979. I had a 1972 F250 Ranger XLT CS. Bumpsides definitly tug on the old setimental heart strings especially as nice as yours.
This was mine back in 1980 (or 81). I couldn't afford the 1979 model yet, that would be 2 or 3 years down the road.
That is a sweet '72. Is that a Honda in the driveway?
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