Highboy Question
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Southern Mass
Highboy Question
I have been looking around for a 73-77 Highboy for quite a while. When I find what I'm looking for I want to run as large a tire as possible with the stock suspension and no body lift. I've heard that you can run 36s with minor trimming. I planned on getting Bushwacker cutout flares which I guess let you trim up to 5" of fender. If I were to trim this much with the flares how big a tire should I be able to run with no rubbing for offroad and street use?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
Highboy Question
i've seen em stock but with 35's, looked pretty good, but I would think that with the 5" of the fender cut out you should be able to fit 40", the only problem is when you need articulation, the tires will rub, what type of 4x4ing are you planning to do?
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Southern Mass
Highboy Question
Thanks man, I will be mudding the truck pretty often. I think I'm only going to run 37-38" tires, thinking about 38" hawgs. I can't really go too much bigger without getting crap from the cops.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 730
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From: at my house
Highboy Question
Highboy, If you find a highboy with a Dana 44 they reccomend not running over a 35-36in tire due to breakage of axles and other components. A Dana 60 is what you want to find mabey stock in a 78-79 or one that may have been swaped into an 77 1/2 or older those are the highboys. 77.5-79 were lowboys. Just my 2cents if your going to be doing alot of mudding.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Southern Mass
Highboy Question
460 Crew, 60s front and rear with Lock Rites is my plan. I want to build the thing for the least breakage as possible. I got another question for you guys though, what was the deal with fulltime 203s in these trucks? Were they just an option in 76 or standard? Also was that the only year for them?
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15
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Highboy Question
I have a 76 F250 high boy and it had the full time 4wd with a 203. I'm not sure what years had this but I converted mine anyway. A lot less wear and tear and smoother ride. Also I ran 35" on mine when it had the factory lift on it with no problem. The front is a little lower on the highboys due to the factory rake. So that is where your clearance problems will be. Have since lifted the front to match the rear plus a little extra. Check gallery with 37" swampers.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: colorado
Highboy Question
i also ran 35's on the stock suspension. no problem. i recently added a 2" lift just becouse i wanted to freshen up the old springs and bushings.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
Highboy Question
I would find a highboy with the np205 tcase, its stronger and its not in 4wd all the time. My old 73 ran 35's stock with an np435 tranny and np205 case. the only bummer was the 410 gears coulda used 4.56's so i could go to a taller tire.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern Michigan
Highboy Question
5 inches should clear 40" tires, I have 40's on my 1/2 ton and trimmed about 5" to fit. I have a small lift....probably close to where yours sits stock.
My gallery has some good pics of the truck with the tires on it in the "Mr Grinch" album.
My gallery has some good pics of the truck with the tires on it in the "Mr Grinch" album.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: colorado
Highboy Question
hey slow and steady. i lifted my 76 with a kit. i could only find one available. it was skyjacker. they went from a 2" to 6" . 6" was to much for my needs. it's all springs. it rides a little better now and sets just right with the 35's.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
Highboy Question
thats wierd i thought they didnt make any suspension lift kits for 73-77 highboys that were 6inch. All i have ever seen were 4inch kits. Now you can get a 6inch for the 78+ crowd but those used different sprint pack widths and wouldnt fit on the highboys.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: at my house
Highboy Question
Your right Kemicalburns they only have a 4in lift listed for a 67-76.5 highboy. But the same springs are listed for a 77.5-79 lowboy for a 6in lift. Same part#s mabey thats where Bassdude is getting 6in from? I don't understand how one set of spring can raise 2 trucks different heights but thats what is listed in the Skyjacker Master Catalog. Now on the rear the 67-77.5 springs are not compatible with the 77.5-79's.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
Highboy Question
one spring can lift different trucks differently based on what type of spring those trucks came with. if the originals have a 4 inch arc and the replacement has a 6 inch arc then it will lift 2 inches but if the original was flat with no arc and you use the same 6 inch arc you now have a 6 inch lift spring. hawkrod