Is there only a Four inch lift in the back of the 75 Highboy or is it supposed to be lifted both in the back and the front? Thanks for any info you can give on this.

 

If i understand correctly the lift blocks are only in the back. On my 69 Highboy I have a six leaf spring back in the front and riser blocks in the back.

 

Thanks for the info.. That's what I have in mine. What a stack of springs and overload springs.

 

And from my perspective, it's not actually a "lift" since that's how they came standard from the factory. And even some 2-wheel drives and later "low boys" came with blocks in the rear on most trucks. Heck, even the half-ton trucks and Broncos had them.
I guess you could consider it a lift over a light-duty 2wd truck to match the taller stance of the drive axle in front, but I just consider it stock for a four-wheel drive truck. So never really thought of it as a lift.
If it was, you could consider the leaf pack a lift as well, since it has more leaves to raise the ride height without needing more arch over a pack with fewer leaves.

Sorry, just threw that out there for discussion, or repudiation!
And yeah, those are some beefy spring packs they had on those trucks!
I think it's cool that yours has the overload parts on it as well. I don't think they all got them. Or at least if they did, I've seen a lot of them that must have had them removed.

Looks like a fun project. You going whole hog on it? Or just a quick refurb and bringing it back to life?

Paul

 

Not sure what you would consider Whole Hog? The body is pretty much done except I want to do some clean up underneath and Im thinking of Using Raptor Liner underneath the entire Truck. I have been thinking a 7.3 Power Stroke or a Cummins 5.9 would be really nice under the hood but I am leaning more towards the 7.3 to keep it all Ford. I think a 7.3 with a E4OD would make for a really nice drive train. It currently has a 203 Transfer Case that has been modified to be a Manual shift Trans Case. Im Afraid the Gearing isn't right for a Diesel which would cost some money to replace. It currently has 4.10/1 gears in it. I would prefer 3.50/1 gears. I will post a few pictures of the Body at this point. I am going to strip the frame and have it Soda Blasted and then paint it with Epoxy Paint to clean it up. I am going to rewire the truck from top to bottom, Front to back. I also have the options on the Engine to run a 390 or a 460 that I currently have in my inventory. The 460 E4OD would be a pulling monster but I doubt if I will ever pass a Gas Station with it. Anyway here are a few pictures of the body.

 

Thanks for the pics. And yeah, your description and the pics are definitely what I would consider Whole Hog!
Not much you haven't done already, or are planning.

Heck, even with the gears and a diesel, maybe taller tires can make the difference. They often had 36" tires added at stock height back in the day.
Although frankly, from the pics it sure looks like a 2wd truck, or a very low high-boy.
Probably the tire size is skewing my vision. But either way, it's one nice looking truck you've got there!

Paul

 

Paul, The Black Body is on a 2X4 frame and I am going to be installing it on the 1975 4x4 frame I just bought. I am still thinking about putting a 12 Valve Cummins with a P Pump so I can get a bit crazy on the HP and Torque. I have a really nice set of Micky Thompson Wheels and Mud Terrain Tires that I will be putting on it. They are 35's. This Truck is going to look amazing and I cant wait to get this one done. Im Hoping for a Spring finish date.

Bruce

 

Thanks! Glad to know I'm not totally crazy.
Looks like you've got a lot going on there. Lots of good fun stuff though!

Good luck with the Spring finish. Looks like you're well on your way already.

Paul

 

JR, there is a difference in axle placement between the 67 - 73 and the 73 - 79 frames. The when you drop your body onto that frame there rear wheels will not be center in the wheel openings. I believe the 75 has the axle further back than that of your body. So you have two options;
1) move the bed so you have a large gap between the cab and bed and the tire will be centered in the opening.
2) move the axle, shorten the drive shaft and have the correct gap between the bad and cab.

Either way works, while one is far easier and cheaper to do. You have to drill new holes to mount the bed either way. Good luck, that body looks great!

 

Regular Cab 8' Stylesides: 1967/72 has a 131" wheelbase, 1973/79 has a 133" wheelbase.

33 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1961/72 F100/350; 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys); 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase.

37 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1973/79 F100 2WD/4WD & F250 2WD; 1973/79 F350 except as noted above; 1975/79 F150 2WD/4WD

 

fe390pc
I never do things the Easy Way. I will drill out the Spring Mounts and Move them forward 9 inches or I will cut the frame and shorten it behind the 203 Transfer Case. I have some serious thinking to do on this. Thank god I have a Fork Lift and a really strong Son who is an amazing welder and lots of clamps. Costs about $150 to have the Driveshaft shortened at Drive Line Specialist here in Portland. Seems like every project i have done I have put a different Trans in and had to have the drive shaft either lengthened or shortened so this is nothing new. Thanks for the heads up though cause its a lot less painful when you know this is an issue before it becomes and issue. My Son and I had already knew about the Mounting of the Bed issue but we are just going to make mounts and weld them to the frame to compensate for the placement of the mounting holes in the bed.

 

NumberDummy,
Thanks for the exact numbers on the differences between the 71 and the 75, Its going to be a Job but nothing I haven't done before. I am half way thinking about cutting the frame and welding it back together. I have shortened frames before and I actually think they were stronger after I fish plated them inside and out. Do you know the overall frame length from the 1971 F100 2 wheel drive frame to the 1975 F250 4X4 Highboy Frame? The main reason I am asking is because I am wondering if the frame is longer or is it just the Placement of the Axles that is different?
Thanks for the info!!!

 

So I did some rough measuring on the wheel base difference between the two trucks and What I can see is there is about a 2 inch difference between the two Frames. The 71 2 wheel drive wheel base is 133 inches and the Wheel Base on the 75 4x4 Highboy is about 135. I did the measurements by myself and I think they are close but probably not exact. I am going to re measure the wheel bases again this weekend with my Son and we will get exact numbers. I think with the 35 inch tires I am going to be running on this truck I probably wont need to worry about 2 inches in difference on the Wheel Bases.

 

1967/72 F100/250 Regular Cab w/8' Styleside bed wheelbase is 131" / 1967/72 F350 with 8' Styleside bed is 135."

1973/79 F100/350 Regular Cab w/8' Styleside bed has a 133" wheelbase, except F350 Regular Cab Super Camper & Trailer Specials, that are on the 140" wheelbase.

You measure from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheel.

 

I did, measure center of hub to hub. I think for some reason the previous owner put the 71 I have on a 73/79 frame. He told me he just put the front axle and disc brakes on the front of the truck along with the 390 and the C6. The truck originally had a 302/C6. This is starting to make a lot more sense. I think it will all work out and fit just fine. Thanks again for your help with the Numbers!!!