Okay, I don't claim to be any expert on it but at least once a week we see a post where the "what is a highboy" topic comes up, whether it's the topic of the post or just included in a thread. Is there any way we could have a sticky with all the specs as to what classifies a highboy, what years, etc? I don't mean to start a mile long discussion or an argument about it but I think it would be apropos to stick at the top of our 73-79 forum so when people have questions they can read it at the top.
The F-250 Hi Boy was built from 67-77.5 it must have 4 inch lift blocks under the rear with dog ears that the ubolts pass thru and a divorced transfer case and they are all 3/4 tons (8 lugs) they came in all trim packages, all motors were available 300-460 4 speeds-c-6s rear axle will be a dana 60 front axle will be a dana 44 you will always see adds that read like this though 1978 F-150 factory hi-boy for sale $9000 this is a f-150 with a lift not a hi boy
i think a 390 was the bigest motor you could get in a high boy because ford only offered 460's in 2 wheel drives. 460's are a very popular swap for ford 4x4's though
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My Toys
99 Ranger XLT Sport
78 F-150 4X4 460
The biggest motor you could get (factory) in a hiboy was a 360 with a 2 bbl. Lots of people think that their trucks have 390's when, in fact, it's only a 360. 390 engines were only in the 2wd's.
IvanRibic is right. Somebody should explain to people. The topic of what a hiboy is keeps coming up far too often. There's no need to scoff at or ridicule fellow enthusiasts that simply don't know (as I've seen done) but, it should be made clear.
By the way, (and on a totally different topic) IvanRibic, is that a Croatian name?
The 400 was in 77's I don't think they ever had small blocks. Just 300's,360, 390. Don't forget the frame was narrowed in the rear.It had the 2 1/2 in. springs in the rear ,and the gas tank was behind the seat.
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'79 F250 13" lift 42" Super Swampers
Originally posted by BigBuddy By the way, (and on a totally different topic) IvanRibic, is that a Croatian name?
I think Yugoslavian but am not certain. I'm all kinds of mixed up.
See what I mean about differing opinions and what's what? I don't have a clue about highboys except what I've read on the forum but for every statement made there are 3 people who will dispute it. Someone's got to have definite details somewhere.
I think a safe guideline would be summed up by stating....
A Hiboy is a Ford truck that came from the factory as having the following:
- Built from 1967 thru 1977.5.
- F-250.
- 4x4.
- Divorced transfer case.
Trucks that are NOT considered a Hiboy are:
- Any truck built after mid-1977.
- Anything other than an F-250.
There will always be a couple very oddball exceptions but, for the most part, this is it.
Front axle choices in the Hiboy were either the 8 lug Dana 44 or the old style low-slung pinion Dana 60 (commonly referred to as the Dana 50). Engine choices were either the 6 cylinder or 360 2 bbl. Steering was either manual or, the archaeic and commonly troublesome power ram assist.
Most important to know is that there were no '78 or '79 Hiboys ever built. Secondly, there are no 1/2 ton Hiboys!!! And to clear up the final misconception, there was no such thing as a "factory lift".
Hiboys were not the toughest of all the Ford 4x4's built by any stretch. They had terrible steering and weak front differentials. They, however, looked very menacing due mostly to their stance. These trucks were typically 3-4 inches taller than others produced.
Ivan Ribic had a very good point when he started this topic by saying that this should be stated somewhere. Even people that think they know what constitues a Hiboy are often wrong.
