Would a 4” lift on a lowboy be equivalent to a 2” lift on a highboy? Would they sit even then?

 

I'd say yes, right around there anyways.

 

i only ask cause I’m trying to figure out what size tires will fit.. I have a 77’ highboy with a 6” lift and trying to fit 38.5’s without being “stuffed”. Guy at the shop says 37’s max.

 

grab a tape measure and check?

 

I don't think so. Seems to me that something more like a 4" lift would put it on par with a Highboy.
Maybe others have done it and measured. I have not, but am just going by the visual. It just doesn't seem like a highboy is only 2" taller than a lowboy. Looks can be deceiving of course, but my money is on 6" being 2" taller than a Highboy.

A quick measurement of front bumper height compared to someone's '78 250 (accounting for tire size too of course) would tell the tale. I can measure my 350, but it might be just a tad taller than a stock 250. Not enough to cause a big ripple in the force of course, but not exact either.

Fit what? A highboy with two inches of lift? Or a Highboy with 6" of lift like you mention later?
Or are you using a tire size chart that only lists lifts for lowboys?

I'm not understanding what you want to know then. It's six inches over and above standard Highboy height? If so, then not sure how knowing a lowboy is 2, or 4 inches different will help determine tire fit.
Unless the charts now go to 8 or 10 inches of lift for the lowboys? What do the charts say anyway?
At this level it may just be time for the tape measure, like somethingclever was saying.

And what is your criteria for fitting? Clear everything all the time? Clear the wheel wells, but does not matter if it hits the leaf springs? A little body rub is acceptable?
I'm sure the tire guy is being a little bit conservative if they have not tried it before, and don't want the customer to complain about rubbing later. We had to go through this hundreds of times with customers that didn't like the charts or experience and wanted to fit a particular size tire because it would look better. Which it did, but if it rubbed it was on the customer because we told them it would. Is this a regular tire shop or an experienced 4wd shop?

And what width is the tire? What width and offset is the wheel you want? These make a big difference in how a tire/wheel combo fits a given rig.
Either way if they don't fit 100% then it's on you and not the shop, since they said it would not fit.
Are you open to trimming the fenders if needed for the larger tires?

Personally I prefer the smaller tires with more extra space for suspension movement and steering, but aren't there several members here that have 38.5's on their trucks? I wish I had links to pictures, but I have never saved that kind of thing to the computer before. But my memory tells me it's a tight fit no matter what.
The wheel well openings are only so big, and maybe the best fit is when some fender flares are cut into the mix.

Good luck.

Paul

 

Some years back I junked a High Boy and a friend put it's front springs on his Low Boy. As I remember it only raised it 2 1/2" but we were dealing with old springs.

 

Well that's a more direct comparison than my visualizations from an old memory at least.
But not sure how they got the front springs to fit without custom work. The two designs were not compatible in any dimension. The lowboy springs are longer, wider, have a different arch and different bolt sizes.
Did your friend to a lot of custom fab work? Maybe swapping the mounts from both trucks too?

Paul

 

This person is currently selling their 76 highboy on fb. They said they have a 4" suspension lift and 38.5 x14 boggers on 16.5" rims. See for yourself if you think its too stuffed.... then add 2 inches because you have a 6" lift.

 

[QUOTE=1TonBasecamp;19156793]I don't think so. Seems to me that something more like a 4" lift would put it on par with a Highboy.
Maybe others have done it and measured. I have not, but am just going by the visual. It just doesn't seem like a highboy is only 2" taller than a lowboy. Looks can be deceiving of course, but my money is on 6" being 2" taller than a Highboy.

A quick measurement of front bumper height compared to someone's '78 250 (accounting for tire size too of course) would tell the tale. I can measure my 350, but it might be just a tad taller than a stock 250. Not enough to cause a big ripple in the force of course, but not exact either.



Fit what? A highboy with two inches of lift? Or a Highboy with 6" of lift like you mention later?
Or are you using a tire size chart that only lists lifts for lowboys?



I'm not understanding what you want to know then. It's six inches over and above standard Highboy height? If so, then not sure how knowing a lowboy is 2, or 4 inches different will help determine tire fit.
Unless the charts now go to 8 or 10 inches of lift for the lowboys? What do the charts say anyway?
At this level it may just be time for the tape measure, like somethingclever was saying.

And what is your criteria for fitting? Clear everything all the time? Clear the wheel wells, but does not matter if it hits the leaf springs? A little body rub is acceptable?
I'm sure the tire guy is being a little bit conservative if they have not tried it before, and don't want the customer to complain about rubbing later. We had to go through this hundreds of times with customers that didn't like the charts or experience and wanted to fit a particular size tire because it would look better. Which it did, but if it rubbed it was on the customer because we told them it would. Is this a regular tire shop or an experienced 4wd shop?

And what width is the tire? What width and offset is the wheel you want? These make a big difference in how a tire/wheel combo fits a given rig.
Either way if they don't fit 100% then it's on you and not the shop, since they said it would not fit.
Are you open to trimming the fenders if needed for the larger tires?

Personally I prefer the smaller tires with more extra space for suspension movement and steering, but aren't there several members here that have 38.5's on their trucks? I wish I had links to pictures, but I have never saved that kind of thing to the computer before. But my memory tells me it's a tight fit no matter what.
The wheel well openings are only so big, and maybe the best fit is when some fender flares are cut into the mix.

Good luck.

Paul[/


This guy here says he has 4” lift on his 79’. Those are 38.5x13’s on 17” wheel.. just looks more then 4”.

 

Agree it looks well more than 4 inches. Unless he's talking about suspension only, and has an additional 2 or 3 inch body lift?
Although, short beds always look taller than the same setup in a long bed. And it's hard to say that one has a body lift, as I don't see too much frame below it, other than the dropped radius arm brackets.

Going way back, we NEVER were able to fit larger than a 35" tire on a 4" lifted F150. At least not reliably, and this one sure looks like it's got lots of air between the tires and the metal.
Great looking truck actually!

Paul

 

I had 35’s on 2.5” lift half ton over 20yrs ago.

fits fine.

Highboys were 2-2.5” higher than lowboy.

6” lift and 38’s is easy.

Buy install have fun

 

Well there ya go! Straight from someone that's been there. Thanks.
Have fun with the 38's Ian.

Paul