I usually hang out in another part of the forum as I have a '94 F150 4X4. However, in the near future (a year or so from now) I am going to start shopping for a 1967 - 1972 bump side F250 4X4. In reading this part of the forum I've noticed a lot of the 4X4's referred to as "highboys." What does that mean? Were all the 4X4's of this era Highboy's, or were only certain ones? What is the difference between the regular 4X4 and a highboy, if there is a difference?
I have also noted many of the references to the various engines of this era referred to as "fe." What does that mean? I know that "fi" can mean fuel injected, SOHC means Single Overhead Cam but I can't figure out what "fe" means.

Thank you in advance for educating a former bump side owner (1970 F100 4X4 and a 1972 F250 Camper Special)

 

Highboys were special f-250s. Basically factory lifted trucks. Some parts are different, but not many.

FE is an engine family. 352/360/390/427/428 are all FE engines. Of the V8 trucks, most were 352/360/390 motors. 360 probably being the most common. They are not "hot rod" engines per say, but they can make a lot of power in a truck.

 

351Cleveland C4, thank you for the quick reply. Were the factory lifts done with lift blocks or with longer springs? I'm curious so that when I start shopping I can identify a high boy correctly.

 

Those more knowledgeable than I will chime in soon. I think it was with longer springs, but I am not certain.

I think they had special transfer cases and axles, different frame widths as well. I don't remember what years were exactly which way.

 

Highboy is a street name for 4wd trucks that are high off the ground either from the factory in the 70s or by the owner

FE = Ford Edsel named for one of the sons, and introduced in 1958 with the Edsel car. It is a strong engine last used in 1976 along with other by 351C. It uses a non swappable exclusive round top bell.



John

 

Highboys were leaf-sprung F-250's that from the factory had higher ground clearance than the Chimmies (Chev's and GMC's) of the day. It specifically means those from 1967-72, and 1973-1977 (up to #Y20,000). The 1977 1/2 to 1979 F-250's and the 1979 F-350 are called lowboys due to a revised lower spring geometry. The Highboys had no special transfer cases with just using divorced Dana 24 and NP 205's. They had the same frame width (33 1/2") to 77 as the bumps had. The Dents changed the rear width in 73 for F-100 2 & 4WD including F-150's when they appeared, F-250/350 2wd's, and the 77.5 -79 F-250/79 F-350 to 37 1/2".

 

Edsel was Henry's only child, he had 4 children: Henry Ford II (known as "The Deuce"), Benson, Josephine & William Clay.

FE (Ford/Edsel) engines introduced in 1958, initially Ford 332/352 & Edsel 361.

Only 1958 Edsel Ranger & Pacer had the 361 (which was a slight overbore of the 352). 1958 Edsel Corsair & Citation came w/a 410, which was based off the 430 Lincoln engine.

1959 Edsels have either a 223 I-6, 292 or 332, 1960's have either a 223 I-6, 292 or 352. Edsel cancelled November 19, 1959, only 2,846 1960's were assembled.
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High Boys: 1967/76 F250 4WD & 1977 F250 4WD (before serial number Y20,001) have a divorced transfer case, in-cab fuel tank and either a 5 or 6 leaf front spring pack.

High Boys available as a Regular & Crew Cab Cab & Chassis, Flareside & Styleside pickups, w/a factory installed Flat & Stake beds. Super Cabs introduced in 1974, but there were no High Boy version.

33 1/2" distance between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1961/72 F100/350, 1973/77 Highboys, 1973/79: F350 Regular Cabs on the 140" wheelbase & F350 Cab & Chassis.

37 1/2" distance between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1973/79 F100, 1973/79 F250 2WD, some 1973/79 F350's, 1975/79 F150, 1977 F250 4WD from serial number Y20,001, 1978/79 F250 4WD

 

Wow, that's a lot of information. Thank you everyone. I have one more question. What is a divorced transfer case? I've owned several 4X4's over the years and, if I remember correctly, all the transfer cases were firmly attached to the side of the transmission. I can't quite picture what a "divorced" transfer case would look like under a truck, nor can I picture where it may be situated.

I had a 1975 or 76 Dodge that had a NP205 (I think) and it was chain driven as opposed to gear driven. Is that a divorced transfer case?

 

Divorced t-cases are connected to the transmission by a short driveshaft whereas married t-cases are mated by an adapter housing.

The NP203 is a chain-driven t-case. The NP205's internals are all gear-driven and highly desirable due to its strength. 205s can be either divorced or married.

"FE" means "friggin' expensive".

 

Welcome to the bump side
The 203 TF case was chain drives, where as the 21,24,205 were all gear driven TFC.
Plus the TFC is mounted by itself using a drive line to connect to the back of the tranny then to the rear an a long front driveline. The front axles were called a low pinion. Where as the 77.5 up all came with married TFC and a high pinion gear sets for the front.
Orich

 

This.......

 

I would like to add an historical note to what has been said:
The term "highboy" comes post WW2 and refers to a fenderless hot rod- usually an A or early '30s sedan, roadster or coupe where the cab was mounted on the frame rails. This is in contrast to a channeled vehicle where the sheet metal was dropped to sheath the frame. The term has taken on a more modern flavor but there are still a few of us who remember.
Semper Fi
November 10, USMC Birthday

 

Hi-Boy = Antique furniture term for a circa 1750-1805 chest on chest (dresser).

Highboy = Old hot rodders term for 1928/34 Ford roadsters with fenders and splash shields removed, exposing the body mounted atop the frame rails.

 

I thought it had something to do with a hot rod built with a straight axle up front. So the car was nose high. Like how they used to build those ol'e ******. Non Overland I believe.

 

John North ****** purchased the Overland Co. in 1909, name changed to ****** Overland Division. Renamed ******-Overland Motor Co. in 1912.

1936: After being reorganized due to bankrupcy, name changed to ******-Overland Motors Inc.

1953: Henry J. Kaiser (prez of Kaiser-Frazer) purchased ******-Overland Motors Inc., name changed to ****** Motor Co.

Kaiser production moved to Toledo OH from the former Kaiser-Frazer plant (prior B-24 bomber plant) in Ypsilanti MI

Kaiser purchased plant in 1947 from the War Production Board, by 1951, it had become a huge white elephant.

1953: GM Hydra-Matic plant burns to the ground, Kaiser wastes no time selling the plant to GM. Wags back then said Kaiser personally lit the match!

1963: ****** Motor Co. renamed Kaiser-Jeep.