What is the difference in the bed widths in these trucks? Do they all mount up the same?

 

The bolts are in different places. However, don't let that stop you from using any bed you can find, as new holes are easily made...

 

The places for the holes are flattened in the bed to match up to a highboy frame. A tape measure is your friend in this case. Make damn sure you are drilling in the proper places. Also re sleeve your holes so you don't crush the bed.

 

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Make new holes...who ever heard of such madness?

 

No difference on the actual bed widths, as far as what I have read on here, narrower frame on the 73-77, 77.5 it got wider.

Which means mount holes in different location than a 77.5-79 bed. A 77.5-79 bed will mount up you just have to drill in new mount bolt holes in your bed.

As far as the last statement in the article below, I think its different by the mount hole location only?

As per FTE Highboy thread:

Highboys have a unique frame, not shared with other trucks. Like the F-350
frame, all Highboys have a narrow frame, which is 33.5-inches wide. Fifth
generation (1967-1972) F-series trucks had narrow frames as well. Sixth
generation (1973-1979) F-series trucks had wider 37.5-inch rear frame
rails, except for the 1973-1977.5 Highboy frame and the 1973-1979 F-350
with 139-inch wheelbase. This frame rail width is measured directly
behind the rear bumper, from outside of rail to outside of rail. The F-350
frame was narrowed for duallies. The Highboy frame does not bend to the
left or right (unlike the other F-100, F-150, or F-250 frames), though it
does bend up and down to accommodate the cab. A front crossmember,
positioned just below the front bumper and visible while standing in front
of the truck, separates the Highboy frame from the bumpside F-350 frame.
No other truck had this crossmember. Since Highboys have a frame that is
different from other F-series trucks, Highboys require different beds than
other F-series.

 

So the 1973-1977 beds should all mount right up and if it is a 1977.5-1979 drill new holes?

 

The 73-77 F250 4x4 beds are different than all others. Anything else, be it from a newer F250 4x4 or any 4x2 of any year will require new holes, but will still work.

My 1976 F250 4x4 has a complete body from a 1977 F150 4x2. Besides the bolt holes in the bed, it was a direct swap.

 

Yes a 73-77 bed should be a direct swap with the bolt holes in the bed the same as your frame holes.

And a 77.5-79 you will have to drill new holes in the bed to match you frame holes. I would not drill the frame to match the bed holes IMO.

 

You're kidding, right? What a stupid statement. Of course you drill the holes in the bed, drilling holes in the frame would do absolutely nothing in the way of helping you mount a new bed.

 

Sometimes I like to state the obvious, for those that is not obvious. You never know who or what level of experience you are dealing with on FTE.

Its hard to type sarcasm, or relay it in a statement, so I will give it a try.

"If my frame is different from my bed I have either one way or the other to get it bolted on and that would either put new holes in the bed to match the frame holes or do it vice-versa, what do you suggest?"

Do you get it? LMAO JA

 

What I'm saying to you in response is that there is a difference of 4" in overall frame width possible, that means 2" per side that the bolts are off. If you can drill a bolt in your frame that's 2" over from where the old one is, go ahead. However, what you'll find is that 2" over is nothing but air, so the thought of even doing it is pointless.

Your entire statement is worthless, be it sarcasm or not, because it's going to be physically impossible to drill new holes in the frame to work. "Vice-versa" can't happen, so no point in even mentioning it and risking confusing anyone.

 

I get it I am trying to make sure Highboy74 does, just trying to advise Highboy74 of what he can do to his truck. Thanks again for your advise, I am unsubscribe to this thread and hope HB 74 got the answer to his question.

You have a nice day!

 

[QUOTE=ShamelessMT;. If you can drill a bolt in your frame that's 2" over from where the old one is, go ahead. However, what you'll find is that 2" over is nothing but air, so the thought of even doing it is pointless.

Your entire statement is worthless, be it sarcasm or not, because it's going to be physically impossible to drill new holes in the frame to work. "Vice-versa" can't happen, so no point in even mentioning it and risking confusing anyone.[/QUOTE]

Hey, why are you so hard on the poster? There are several way's to skin a cat. Some are easier than others. When I was younger, I welded 1/4 plate pieces to a 76 F250 frame and drilled holes in them to mount a 78 bed using the bed's original holes. Yes, it was stupid, I didnt know any better at the time, there was no internet to ask these type of questions. It worked fine! I have since mounted 2 bed's on a 76 F250 4x4 frame, on one bed I used a large chisel and ground down the sides to make it a square punch and punched square holes in the bed. On the 95 bed I just put on, I used a carbide bit to round out "oblong" oval holes in the bed and used the newer bed bolt's.

A person's statement is worthless? Please re-read what you posted.

 

Are you sure any 73-77 beds will fit a 77 highboy because from what I have learned the only bed that will go on a highboy without modification is another bed from a highboy? I was under the impression that persay a 73 half ton or 73 3/4 ton 2wd had the same bed holes locations as a 77.5-79

 

This is exactly why I was so hard on 77&79F250. He's now got everyone confused about what beds are what and how to go about swapping. It sure would have been easier if he wouldn't have started yammering on about drilling the frame.

The answer is that 73-77 F250 4x4 (highboys) beds are different than any other, only because they are mounted on narrower frame rails (and yes, the only ones that don't need new holes). All other beds from all other 73-79 Ford long-bed pickups have wider holes, but will work if you are willing to drill new holes in the donor bed.