Frame size question
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2020
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Frame size question
Ladies n Gentlemen I quite a few questions similar to this & hope you’ll forgive my inability to decipher the info I need from those posts. I have a 1978 F150 4x4 133” wheel base that needs a new frame. I have found a 77 250 for sale that would meet my needs but I thought I saw that the highboys kept the narrower frame of the early years. Will I be able to transfer my 78 150 chassis to this 77 250 or does the frame being narrow prevent this? Thank you.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
All depends on the year the 77 was made. Early 77 made then its a "Highboy" and will be narrower in the rear frame section and you can not reuse your aft axle gas tank. Now if it is a late made 77 (Oct?) then you should be good to go.
Just confirm does it have the cross member below the front bumper between the front leaf spring hangers? And does it have rear leaf springs/hangers that are 2 1/4 wide? If yes it is a HB frame.
HB info until your eyes bleed. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...mpilation.html
And https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post1437578
"Highboys have a unique frame, not shared with other trucks. Like the F-350
frame, all Highboys have a narrow frame, which is 33.5-inches wide. Fifth
generation (1967-1972) F-series trucks had narrow frames as well. Sixth
generation (1973-1979) F-series trucks had wider 37.5-inch rear frame
rails, except for the 1973-1977.5 Highboy frame and the 1973-1979 F-350
with 139-inch wheelbase. This frame rail width is measured directly
behind the rear bumper, from outside of rail to outside of rail. The F-350
frame was narrowed for duallies. The Highboy frame does not bend to the
left or right (unlike the other F-100, F-150, or F-250 frames), though it
does bend up and down to accommodate the cab. A front crossmember,
positioned just below the front bumper and visible while standing in front
of the truck, separates the Highboy frame from the bumpside F-350 frame.
No other truck had this crossmember. Since Highboys have a frame that is
different from other F-series trucks, Highboys require different beds than
other F-series. The Highboy frame was never used on another truck.
Just confirm does it have the cross member below the front bumper between the front leaf spring hangers? And does it have rear leaf springs/hangers that are 2 1/4 wide? If yes it is a HB frame.
HB info until your eyes bleed. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...mpilation.html
And https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post1437578
"Highboys have a unique frame, not shared with other trucks. Like the F-350
frame, all Highboys have a narrow frame, which is 33.5-inches wide. Fifth
generation (1967-1972) F-series trucks had narrow frames as well. Sixth
generation (1973-1979) F-series trucks had wider 37.5-inch rear frame
rails, except for the 1973-1977.5 Highboy frame and the 1973-1979 F-350
with 139-inch wheelbase. This frame rail width is measured directly
behind the rear bumper, from outside of rail to outside of rail. The F-350
frame was narrowed for duallies. The Highboy frame does not bend to the
left or right (unlike the other F-100, F-150, or F-250 frames), though it
does bend up and down to accommodate the cab. A front crossmember,
positioned just below the front bumper and visible while standing in front
of the truck, separates the Highboy frame from the bumpside F-350 frame.
No other truck had this crossmember. Since Highboys have a frame that is
different from other F-series trucks, Highboys require different beds than
other F-series. The Highboy frame was never used on another truck.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2020
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1671...0369268567407/
This is another one but I don't think its a highboy. It doesn't have the front crossmember.
This is another one but I don't think its a highboy. It doesn't have the front crossmember.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,241
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
"Has front TTB axel"....that means IMO that frame is a 1980's and up frame. Also you getting a title with any frame purchase? You know the title goes to the frame and not the body. Vi# is stamped on the frame in 2 places. Really depends on how bad/picky your DVM is. Have you asked them that question before you go to all the trouble?
Just because it comes with a divorced xfer case does not mean it goes to that frame, but of course same for the TTB axle. It could be spare parts the OP was going to use. But using a TTB on any thing, is like a saddle on a pigs back. Fits, but its not worth the work.
"The Dana 50 TTB (Twin Traction Beam) 4×4 front axle was used in the Ford F-350 from 1980 until a mid-year change in 1985, when the F-350 was fitted with the Dana 60 solid front axle. The Dana 50 was an option on the Ford F-250HD (Heavy Duty – over 8500# GVW) from 1980-1986."
Just because it comes with a divorced xfer case does not mean it goes to that frame, but of course same for the TTB axle. It could be spare parts the OP was going to use. But using a TTB on any thing, is like a saddle on a pigs back. Fits, but its not worth the work.
"The Dana 50 TTB (Twin Traction Beam) 4×4 front axle was used in the Ford F-350 from 1980 until a mid-year change in 1985, when the F-350 was fitted with the Dana 60 solid front axle. The Dana 50 was an option on the Ford F-250HD (Heavy Duty – over 8500# GVW) from 1980-1986."
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
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I apologize for the kinda off topic question, I'm trying to lower my 77 F350 but can't find a rear c notch kit to fit it, is there another Ford or vehicle with at least similar dimensions and thickness to the frame rails of the 77? Also, what vehicle has a pair of front coil springs that are shorter than my stock springs but will still hold my weight? I have a 4.9L 300 I6 engine. As you can probably tell I'm a super beginner with car stuff lol
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,241
Likes: 5,811
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
I would bet that no one makes a off the shelf C notch kit....best bet is to make a all new thread in the main 73-79 forum.
Come here and click on the New Thread at the top, left hand side yellow/gold/mustard box.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum38/
Come here and click on the New Thread at the top, left hand side yellow/gold/mustard box.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum38/
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