When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So it begins again. I've been on the Bullnose Forum for a number of years now, but have always had an eye towards the 73-79 trucks also. My grandfather always had one back in the '70s, so maybe it's a bit of a trip down memory lane for me. I sold, somewhat reluctantly, the Black '85 Flareside that I restored and ended up when the dust settled with two projects: Another '85 Flareside, "Silver", and … Big Green.
Big Green is a 1977 F250 4x4, built in December of 1976. It came from the factory as a Jade Green XLT Ranger 4 speed, and it caught my eye for a number of reasons: First of all, there's no rust through, anywhere. The bed has some pitting up at the front, but despite the "patina" there are NO rust holes, either in the cab or the bed. Second, it ran well other than a carb with vacuum leak and an exhaust manifold leak. Transmission and clutch were tight.
Cosmetically, it looked like someone took after it with Hunter Green spray paint at some point, and there are about three good dents: Right rear corner above the taillight, right front fender, and a few scrapes down the side.
Came with a 351m, prior owner noted that it's a 400 but haven't been able to confirm. Came with a new in cab gas tank and lines and new battery. AC not functioning but all parts are there.
I was after a "76 or "77, and as I settled on this I started to appreciate the rarity a bit. In '77, with only a few months of highboy production, its kind of the last of the breed. The Marti report only has a few hundred of the Jade Green with this trim level in '77, and that's for the full year. No way to tell I don't believe, of those... how many were highboys in early '77.
While Jade Green isn't my favorite, I think that I'll try to restore the interior and exterior to original colors out of respect for that. Maybe I'll break down and do a two tone, Jade green and white.... Always open to thoughts and feedback.
I'll periodically update progress here and ask for help or opinions, especially when something's over my head. Happy to be part of this forum!
Looks like a solid truck! Of course, '77 Highboys are by far the best
As far as the color goes, don't get hung up on rarity as it relates to value. Being a rare color on dent sides doesn't translate to increased value, like it does with other collector cars. Highboys in general are sought after by fans of the truck, but not collectors. Not yet anyway.
I say paint it black, like your grandpa's and make it a tribute to that.
Big Green made about a six hour trip home one night. Our biggest hurdle in the way was Atlanta... driving a 43 year old truck that was still relatively unknown to me, I didn't want to have a breakdown in traffic. The prior owner was amazing and thoughtfully got the truck as ready as it could be... bumped up the idle so that it wouldn't be a fight to keep running given the vacuum leak, checked it all over, aired up tires, and even gave a full tank of gas. We started rolling and decided to get through Atlanta in the middle of the night which was a great decision.
Truck rolled all the way home. Every time we passed a car broken down on the side of the road, I smiled. The truck smiled. We just kept right on rolling...
Rolling through Atlanta in the middle of the night
In my last build thread, I didn't do a great job documenting the "before", will do that here a bit showing it at project start Engine bay when bought Door cards in fairly good shape, found the drivers door armrest inside the dash (no glove box interior, it looks like it was put in there at some point) ...Not sure what this switch does... Truck stands pretty tall with the 36" military Goodyears on it. Wife is 5'2 This pic: NOT my truck but an examle of a Jade Green to show what original paint would have looked like. May finish it this way or... ...Two tone with white looks awfully good (again NOT my truck). It will be a while before Big Green sees the paint shop, have many other priorities but fun to dream
)In the first few months, other than getting Big Green registered and insured of course, have done the following:
Replaced Carburetor (started with a "new" one and learned when I couldn't get it dialed in well that it was a Chinese one)... took good advice and got a good remanufactured one and got the knock off junk off the truck. Cleaned up air cleaner, new filter. New fuel filter and replaced fuel and some vacuum hoses for good measure.
Changed Fluids: Engine, Transmission, Transfer Case. No leaks! Well, ok a small leak on the passenger side valve cover. It burns off on the leaky exhaust manifold, before it hits the ground, so that doesn't count...
Removed headliner. Green vinyl is still good, but the fiberboard backing is nasty, ordered new backing. Will try to reinstall vinyl... any good ideas for adhesive? Never done this before. More to come on that. Chrome trim is pitted, may eventually have to get new but trying polish for now
Removed door cards, going to work on restoration
The truck looks like it originally had west coast mirrors based on the mounting brackets still on the truck, so I decided to go back to them. Found a great set of Ford mirrors from another Highboy, these were a takeoff from a '76 as the owner didn't like them. Put them on the truck...
Back to original West Coast mirrors....
The Next thing: Dealing with the exhaust manifold leak. Going to take it to our local "old Ford Guru" shop (Archer Auto) for him to deal with it as it's over my head. Thinking that rather than headers, will go with stock manifold(s). Any advice or thoughts? I see that Bronco Graveyard has them, any experiences? Thanks all!
Looks like a solid truck! Of course, '77 Highboys are by far the best
As far as the color goes, don't get hung up on rarity as it relates to value. Being a rare color on dent sides doesn't translate to increased value, like it does with other collector cars. Highboys in general are sought after by fans of the truck, but not collectors. Not yet anyway.
I say paint it black, like your grandpa's and make it a tribute to that.
TLR great perspectives! Just saw your reply, thanks for that...the good distinction between fans and collectors
My truck is also Dark Jade metallic, but a custom. There was a two tone offered that was all green sides, and white roof above and behind the drip rails. I think that's going to be what I do with mine. The green metallic really pops in the sunlight. I have grown really fond of it.
My truck is also Dark Jade metallic, but a custom. There was a two tone offered that was all green sides, and white roof above and behind the drip rails. I think that's going to be what I do with mine. The green metallic really pops in the sunlight. I have grown really fond of it.
Not the greatest photo, but the only one I had in the sun. Truck was resprayed (poorly) about 15 years ago. Working on getting all the mechanical stuff fixed before bodywork. Always loved the front end of these trucks.
When the truck goes to the "ol Ford guru" shop do not be financially surprised if they break off some exhaust manifold bolts. It happens all the time, I was changing a blown exhaust manifold gasket on my 77 silver truck and broke 2 on one side and 1 on the other. Then on a header swap on the red truck broke 2 on one side 2 on the other....351M.
When the truck goes to the "ol Ford guru" shop do not be financially surprised if they break off some exhaust manifold bolts. It happens all the time, I was changing a blown exhaust manifold gasket on my 77 silver truck and broke 2 on one side and 1 on the other. Then on a header swap on the red truck broke 2 on one side 2 on the other....351M.
Thanks for the perspective... am bracing myself for that. He recommended buying new headers, thinking I may just stay with factory on them and get some of the Jeffs Bronco Graveyard ones if anyone has thoughts on them as well
Easier to stick with OEM manifolds. FYI if you have to go with new, for some reason the one side (dvrs side?) is way more expansive. Also sticking with OEM manifolds, no changing of the rest of the exhaust system. But if the guy is persistent, or you are on the fence about headers, have him explain what are the benefits of headers on a stock put put motor. NONE. And then you have to decide on inside the frame rail exit (real bad idea IMO, they exit in front of the cross member) or fenderwell exit. Here is what I mean about inside the frame rail exit. HB, low pinion front axle, divorced xfer case.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
