Thanks.
Highboy thread
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
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From: Wyoming
You can't just build a highboy. It consists of more than just a lifted truck like alot of people think. First off their 4WD and have a divorced t/case 1 ton suspension and have a 34" wide frame instead of 38". Sorry to be so specific but where I'm from everyone thinks just cause they have a pre 80s ford it's a highboy. 
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
High Boys: 1967/76 F250 4WD / 1977 F250 4WD assembled before serial number Y20,001 (February 1977). All have a divorced transfer case and an in-cab fuel tank.
33 1/2" Inner rear frame rail width behind the cab: 1961/72 F100/350 / 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) / 1973/79 F350 Cab & Chassis / 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase.
All other 1973/79 F100/350's have 37 1/2" inner frame rail width behind the cab.
No F100, F150 or F350 is a High Boy. No 1977 F250 4WD is a High Boy assembled from serial numbr Y20,001, ditto 1978/79 F250 4WD's.
F350's weren't available with 4WD until 1979.
33 1/2" Inner rear frame rail width behind the cab: 1961/72 F100/350 / 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) / 1973/79 F350 Cab & Chassis / 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase.
All other 1973/79 F100/350's have 37 1/2" inner frame rail width behind the cab.
No F100, F150 or F350 is a High Boy. No 1977 F250 4WD is a High Boy assembled from serial numbr Y20,001, ditto 1978/79 F250 4WD's.
F350's weren't available with 4WD until 1979.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,157
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From: Wisconsin
You can't just build a highboy. It consists of more than just a lifted truck like alot of people think. First off their 4WD and have a divorced t/case 1 ton suspension and have a 34" wide frame instead of 38". Sorry to be so specific but where I'm from everyone thinks just cause they have a pre 80s ford it's a highboy.
Well said...this drives me nuts to no end. I've never owned one, but I know what they are. I have no idea why it bothers me, but it does.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 324
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From: Michigan
Yeah after thinking about it your right, you can't just build one. I undersand that "highboy" was a stock thing, but I'm shooting for that highboy look. Any ideas on how to get it?
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
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From: Wyoming
Once you convert it to a 4WD you'll gain ground clearance. To get the highboy look you'll need a 4" lift cause thats what highboys had factory. If i were you i would look for a rusted out 4WD version of yours and swap you body on to it. Its alot of work adding crossmembers for a t/case and front springs ect.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Wyoming
Good starter truck though. Everyone in my family has or had a Highboy. So I lucked out and first truck was the 76 Highboy in the pic I bought when i was 13. Now I'm 32 and it's like part of the family and will never get rid of it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 324
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From: Michigan
My plan was to convert it, my buddy has a 73' highboy that I was gonna take parts off of. I was just gonna do a 4in lift but decided not to cause i would go through u joints like crazy. I now I'm gonna go with a 2inch lift and run 35"s I should get about 5in overall won't I?
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
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From: Wyoming
If you get the running gear out of the 73 the rear axle is already angled for the lift. The down side off the 73 is it probably has drum brakes on the front axle. I have 8" lift on mine and don't have many problems with u-joints except when i show off and smoke those 44" swampers on it. Thats a little hard on them and everything else.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 335
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From: San Diego, CA
Speaking of specificcs, I have a question on measuring frame width; if you think of the rail as a "C" channel are you meauring from inside of the vertical web, which would be the same as out to out less web thickness, or edge to edge of the horizontal flange?
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
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From: Wyoming
The vertical. They're all 33 1/2 at the front of the frame but highboys stay that width to the rear. Anything else widens to 37 1/2 under the cab. Easy way to tell is rear cab mounts on a highboy are outside the frame rails and the rest are inside.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 335
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From: San Diego, CA
so on my truck ('78 F350 SC) I did not throw a tape on it, I have "go to meetin" clothes on right now, but the rear cab mounts are definately outside the rails and it looks like the frame runs straight front to back so we can add F350's with 155" wb (supercabs) to ND's list? Would that be to allow for dual rear wheel option on the F350's?