I'm looking at a 1978 F150, SWB, 4WD, and am confused about whether there are true Highboys for this year. Built May 1978, has 351C, 4-speed, 117 WB, sits quite high with 3-4" block in the back between the axle and springs. Front springs don't appear to have spacers for height. Original owner, has never changed a thing on it, so suspension is stock. Transfer case appears to be bolted right up to trans, but I haven't crawled underneath fully.
VIN F14HRCC5324, body DB4, axle H2J if that helps. Has 42,000 miles on it, used for hunting, now owner is older and doesn't use it much. Has passed all its CA smog checks and works great, if looking old cosmetically. No rust.
Thanks for any info.
Andrew

 

Sounds like a pretty nice rig irregardless of the "highboy" nomenclature, but for the record the term "highboy" is in reference to '67-'77.5 F250 4x4's only.

 

in short, NO

 

No such real Ford term as "highboy", according to all on here, its a slang term for the correctly stated year and models as above.

Endearingly called that due to the little more than normal factory height in compared to 77.5-79 "lowboy's". Besides we all love to say "Its a Highboy".

Highboys.....according to what I have read on FTE.

Have a cross member under front bumper.
Have a "divorced"/non attached to xmsn xfer case. &NP 203
No rear fuel tank, normaly in cab or front tank
Narrower rear section frame, you can use a 77.5 to 79 bed with new holed drilled in bed.
Have the older power assist steering.
Are 4x4 F250 only.

Some folks use the term to increase the selling "wow" factor.....

Welcome to FTE, try the search eng there is a thread with ALL the info in the world for them on here.

 

Highboys are skinnier than non-highboys.

 

I think only in the back end, in where it counts......lol

 

My 76 is a High Boy ...I brought a a Jeep motor to a machine shop to have it bored , the guy that helped me unload the block knew what it was( somehow) at a glance ...

 

I Added a 2 WD tank to the rear , I had to install it sideways to fit between the rails ...

 

Highboys.....according to what I have read on FTE.

Have a cross member under front bumper.Yep
Have a "divorced"/non attached to xmsn xfer case. &NP 203 Yep
No rear fuel tank, normaly in cab or front tank Yep
Narrower rear section frame, you can use a 77.5 to 79 bed with new holed drilled in bed. Yep
Have the older power assist steering. Yep Converted to a GM box
Are 4x4 F250 only. Yep

 

High Boy: Enthusiasts term for 1967/76 F250 4WD, 1977 F250 4WD before serial number Y20,001.

Hi-Boy: Hot Rodders term for 1928/32 Ford Roadsters with the fenders and splash shields removed, exposing the body riding high atop the frame rails.

Hi-boy: Antique furniture term for circa 1750/1805 chest-on-chest (dresser).

 

Thanks all, that was my sense from reading up, that 78 was too late. My offroader bro-in-law thought otherwise though and I wanted to confirm. This truck has a rear tank only.
I have a 69 F250 LWB 4-speed, 92 Explorer 5-speed, 65 Mustang that I've just removed the 3-speed toploader to install a 4-speed. Used to have a 69 F100 LWB.
Andrew

 

The above info is all pretty accurate with one exception, highboys were available with both the NP203 and the NP205, in fact, the vast majority were NP205's, probably 8 out of every 10.

 

awesome info on here!

as a highboy owner, i did not know bout the 203/205 option.

and on the chest on chest dresser deal- bonus info on a old truck forum: priceless

kurt

 

Dun I kinda thought that on the xfer cases but could not and can locate that highboy info link......I believe I remember that auto xmsn got the NP 203 and 4 spd got the NP 205. Or maybe the other way around???

Dang I can't find that link, to the OP I also think you probably have a 351M not a 351C, NumberDummy chime in with the real deal ok.

At least it a Ford and 4x4.....2 great things to own IMO

 

i've got the 4sp. 205 combo.