I'm considering trading my 62 f250 for a highboy truck anywhere between 67-early 77.

The question I'm asking is which Year or years of those trucks would you chose & Why?

 

I have a 75 drums in the front,,so i think in 76 they went with disk in front which is nice.I just say that to save you some work.I replaced front axle with latter 70s axle,,also going with the 460 because I didnot get a motor with my frame.The 360 can be made into a real nice build,plus you have all your parts,save alot.

 

Didn't see from your profile what part of the country you are in. If in California, '75 is the last year of smog exemption.

'77 can be difficult to get some parts for I have read here on the forums, as it was a short production run (1/2 year) and was the first year of the power train changeover.

If I didn't live in CA I'd probably go for a low-boy 78/79. Still a dent but with lots of nice improvements (integral power steering, Dana 44 HP with dual-piston calipers, wider rear frame rails (better rear gas-tank options), etc.

Now granted you can make some of these upgrades, but its all stock on the later dents.

 

But it's not a highboy I own both a 76 and 78 .. One of the most important things to me is the steel is thicker on a highboy chassis

 

And the front frame is not all Swiss cheesed. I'd say 76 or 77 if you don't have to smog. Just for the disc brake front.

 

I agree 76 or 77 because of the disc brakes in front. Also last two years of the highboy. Coarse I have a 76 so I'm biased. Geez, I go away for the weekend and come back to find the Wonkinator gone to his chocolate factory.

 

Im in pa at the mason dixon line. No Emissions where im at.
im not a huge fan of power steering actually as my 62 is pretty good.

i do hate not having disks in the front though.

also im not worried about about the gas tank location.

I snack on danger & dine on Death

 

Can I ask why your getting rid of your '62? As for the post-'66 highboys, didn't Ford start galvanizing some of the body panels around '75? I prefer '68's to '72's. The sheet metal seems thicker and I prefer the way they look - but that's just me.

I also like the HD Dana 44 and Dana 60 closed knuckle front ends best.

 

I am admittedly somewhat biased but I'm gonna have to go with early 1977.

This was the last year (half year?) for the highboy and the only model year that came with a 400 engine which means a 460 will bolt right up to the original transmission bell housing making for an easy swap. Same lousy fuel mileage but lots more giddy-up. Not sure why the 460 was never offered as a factory option for these trucks as it seems like a perfect match.

I also prefer the grill style of the 76-77 highboy and as already stated, the dual-piston front disc brakes on the HD Dana 44 stop really nice.

That being said, I like all highboys and would go for the cleanest one you can find, regardless of year.

 

WCH,
Your truck has "the look".
VERY nice.
Trilogymac

 

What is the real draw to a highboy? Is it because of the factory worker's coined nickname?
I have read many threads about problems with the power assist PS, converting to disk brakes like the 77-79. And having a thicker frame, adding weight but only having a 360, seems less desireable to me.
I really dont see the advantages of a "highboy" sitting aside a lifted "lowboy" 77.5-79...

Enlighten me please

 

if we are talking stock what will it cost you to lift a lowboy even to highboy height ? .. and a stock 351m or 400 certainly doesn't peak my interest .. The one thing not mentioned is the divorced transfer case .. You could put any engine up front

I have both and they both have their pros and cons

Consider yourself enlightened

 

The highboy thread says at the came with a 6 cylinder or 360.

The divorced TC, i havent read how that is better, except for serviceabilty. But adding a drive shaft seems a degression.

Im mostly curious

 

Source : https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...mpilation.html

Back in the day with a divorced transfer case if you wanted to put a 455 buick motor with 3 deuce carbs out of an electra 225 executive you could with not to much effort a married transfer case limits your options .. You would have a easier time/money making a 460 with a ZF-5 trans conversion work with a divorced transfer case

 

Ok, so other than the factory height, and the disadvantages posted in post #3, it stands about equal.

I am wondering, because i know of a '76 4x4 that is for sale cheap and i wanted to weigh my options. My truck is already lifted, so there is no reason to pursue a highboy.
Thanks