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 piss 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.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3507.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3511.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3514.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3515.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3516.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3517.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3521.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3526.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3528.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3530.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3531.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3534.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC_3536.jpg

Nice truck buddy. I just love it!

That is a nice clean truck, Looking good. I used to have a 76' now I wish I had it back.

I love your truck! :-X22

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. :-X04

Keep us posted on your progress!

Looking great Gavin

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. :D
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 arse in. :D
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.

Ok that's good to know, I guess that Scott got back to you then?

Yes he did, thanks buddy!

thats an awesome truck dude :-drink i wouldnt lower it if i was you but its not my truck. :-X04

Awesome ride Gavin!!:-X22

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! :-jammin

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.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...6/IMG_0805.jpg

Thanks riverguideguy, but I almost pull my hamstring the last time I got into it........without a ladder. :-X03

Thanks John, sure beats the green one I almost got. :-jammin


That's the plan Steve, get the front end down and then level it.

That is a sweet '72. Is that a Honda in the driveway?

Well, I wasn't going to say anything....but I'd have to agree.;)

Thanks and Good eye! Yes that was my roommates RD400 (Rapid Death). I'm not a bike guy but I did learn how to ride on that bike. Used to scare the cr*%p out of me but I got on it and lived to tell the tail.

Mark, Your truck looks awesome man...JMO here, I would probably lower it a few inches if it was mine but I still like it alot...I can't wait to see it with the new M/T wheels, I think you will love them!!