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Hello all,
Just found the truck I have been looking for. 1972, 390, 4 speed, 4x4 shortbox highboy.
Originally a 6cyl. truck converted to a 390. unfortunately the gearing is extremely low end. Could pull a house, but, not itself over 60 mph.
What gear ratio's ya'll recommend? 85% daily driven, 15% towing and mild trail running.
I want to enjoy this truck for a long time, restoration and mods being planned as we speak, disc brake conversion, power steering conversion, etc.
Thanks in advance for the responses.
Just found the truck I have been looking for. 1972, 390, 4 speed, 4x4 shortbox highboy.
Originally a 6cyl. truck converted to a 390. unfortunately the gearing is extremely low end. Could pull a house, but, not itself over 60 mph.
What gear ratio's ya'll recommend? 85% daily driven, 15% towing and mild trail running.
I want to enjoy this truck for a long time, restoration and mods being planned as we speak, disc brake conversion, power steering conversion, etc.
Thanks in advance for the responses.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 250
From: North Pole, Alaska
Volk, the term "Highboy" refers to 67-77 leaf-sprung, 8-lug F-250's. And the only short box (6 3/4' bed) F-250 is a Crewcab. Do you have a Crewcab F-250, or a coil-sprung, 5-lug F-100 short box? Big difference between the two.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 68
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Volk,
I have a 69 Highboy with 4.10's. In my younger days when I was working using a truck, I needed those 4.10's. But now I am wishing I had 3.73's which are a great middle of the road ratio. I had a 86 f250 4x4 with standard transmission and I had 3.50's and it was not enough when I had a load. Having had the 3 different ratio's in the past, today I feel the 3.73 would be best for my uses and I will soon be making the switch. First thing you need to do is make an honest assessment of what the truck in going to used for most of the time. Then make a decision based on that information.
I have a 69 Highboy with 4.10's. In my younger days when I was working using a truck, I needed those 4.10's. But now I am wishing I had 3.73's which are a great middle of the road ratio. I had a 86 f250 4x4 with standard transmission and I had 3.50's and it was not enough when I had a load. Having had the 3 different ratio's in the past, today I feel the 3.73 would be best for my uses and I will soon be making the switch. First thing you need to do is make an honest assessment of what the truck in going to used for most of the time. Then make a decision based on that information.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 250
From: North Pole, Alaska
Most likely a 4.10 or 4.56. Look on the driver door for the metal data plate, or the sticker on the driver door pillar for the axles codes to decipher them. An easy way to know bed lengths is a short box has two stake pockets, and a long bed has three stake pockets along the side. It looks like it has the LD Dana 44 front axle with the 8 bolt knuckle. The 44HD axle has 12 bolts. For disc brakes up front, you will have to upgrade to a 76-79 Dana 44 with the 77.5-79 being a high pinion model, a 76-77 Dana 60 low pinion model, or a 78-79 Dana 60 high pinion. For power steering, need a PS gear from a 77.5-79 F-250, or a Benchworks kit. Don't use the crappy PS assist that was used on earlier models. There is hardly any parts available. I have 2 crews: a 70 with Dana 44HD, and a very late 76 model with a disc brake-equipped Dana 60 low-pinion.
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