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what exactly makes a highboy a highboy? I know that they were lifted , but how were they lifted (blocks, stiffer springs)? I also heard somewhere that they had an updated steering that was more suitable for off road use.
The highboys had a few unique things about them. In the front they have positive arch springs where the 78-79 lowboys had zero arch. The highboy springs are the same as a 2 or 4" spring (can't remember which) for a lowboy. In the back they had pertty heavily arched 2 1/4" wide springs and 4" cast iron blocks from the factory.
Another unique feature is a divorced mounted transfer case. This does hurt you a bit in ground clearance in the middle but a divorced case is a bit stronger and when you consider it's a divorced mounted NP205, it's an incrediblly stout case.
As far as steering goes, they have the perfect setup for wheeling. It's a hydraulic assisted steering. Basically it's a manual steering gear box connected to a hydraulic control valve in the drag link. This valve controls fluid pressure to a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the axle. This setup takes almost all of the stress off the steering box and put it on the cylinder mounted on the axle. This is very similar to the Rock Ram system people pay $1000+ for. It works really well and is easy to modify and make stronger.
ok, thanks for the info. one more question then, is there any indication in the vin or something that can be used to identify a highboy, or is parts the only way to tell?
if the vin verifies that it is a 67 through 77 1/2 F-250 4x4 then it is a highboy. I think highboy is actually a nickname and not a offical term. I will get corrected quickly if that isn't right.
Originally posted by 79 Pulling Ford Some of the highboys also had New Process 203's in them also.
Yup... had a '73 Highboy w/ a 360, Np 435 4 speed and the NP 203 "full time" chain drive... always confused people when I drove up and the front drive shaft turned in "2Hi."
Originally posted by kspilkinton Yup... had a '73 Highboy w/ a 360, Np 435 4 speed and the NP 203 "full time" chain drive... always confused people when I drove up and the front drive shaft turned in "2Hi."
-Kerry
hey man, what type of mpg were you getting with that setup?
also, I have heard of lowboys too, are they just literally lower?
hey i have a 203 i am eventually going to swap out for a 205 but was wondering since mine has been converted to a part time t-case, if i was to break the chain i could still drive it in 2wd right?
Originally posted by muscletruck7379 hey man, what type of mpg were you getting with that setup?
I had a whopping 8mpg. Didn't matter what the speed or how far. It always got 8.
Originally posted by Texan1983 hey i have a 203 i am eventually going to swap out for a 205 but was wondering since mine has been converted to a part time t-case, if i was to break the chain i could still drive it in 2wd right?
Only in rear wheel drive if I get how you stated the question, and that's regardless of the hub conversion. The chain was set up to the front axle, the rear axle was connected via U-joints and shafts to the xfer case and tranny. So breaking the chain will screw up the front end drive, not your rear. If you disconnect the rear drive shaft and have a good chain you can drive in front wheel drive. Lock in the hubs (or don't if you have an original 203 setup) and drive away without the rear drive shaft.
-Kerry
Last edited by kspilkinton; Aug 14, 2003 at 11:44 PM.
yea thats what i mean't i kinda like the 2wd low feature when converted, only thing that sucks is the chain drive. but is does have a lower gear reduction in low range than a 205. but i am still worried about the chain, acually i have heard the chain is not the weak link in these anyways, it's something else i can't remember.
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