What makes a Highboy?
What makes a Highboy?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Highboy is not a Ford term. It's a nickname given to the 1977 1/2 and earlier F250 4x4s because they were so much higher than the competition. And all the 1977 1/2 and earlier F250 4x4s were made the same height, it's not an option or lift kit, just a nickname for the standard F250 4x4.
Marty
Marty
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 519
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From: Iowa
Everything already stated is correct. "Highboy" is an unofficial slang term for pre-77.5 F250 4x4s. They do in fact have a narrower frame. The front bumper mounts on special brackets that adapt the narrow frame to the wider hole spacing on the bumper. There is a bar connecting the bottom front of the frame rails. They have rear lift blocks from the factory. They have a divorced transfer case. They have closed knuckle, drum brake front axles. They never came factory equipped with a modern big block (429 or 460). I believe the leaf springs are a different width as well. There may be exceptions, but for the most part, this is what makes a highboy. 35x12.5 tires fit stock highboys with minimal rubbing. At least, they work well enough here in Iowa, where off-roading means driving through cornfields and down mud roads after a rain.
Edit: one more thing: there was no factory "lowboy" F250 4x4 counterpart... ALL pre 77.5 F250 4x4's can be considered highboys.
Edit: one more thing: there was no factory "lowboy" F250 4x4 counterpart... ALL pre 77.5 F250 4x4's can be considered highboys.
Last edited by benwantland; Dec 15, 2003 at 10:03 PM.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 101
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From: Ohio
Factory 3 inch I do believe. And just the 4x4, pre 77. I do think there is a difference between a regular 250 4x4 and a highboy, I dont think the stock 250's came w/the lift. But I'm not positive, if I'm wrong, please set me straight. 
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
From what I have been told, the easiest way to tell a highboy apart is that it will have a divorced transfer case. My pickup was considered a lowboy (79) but that quickly changed with a lift and big tires!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
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From: Other side of the sunrise
benwantland is right with the exception of the closed knuckle front end. Yes most 73-77 F250 4x4's came with closed knuckle but some also came open knuckle front ends. I think it was in 76 where they came open knuckle. The mid 77's through 79's had a wider frame than the "highboys" and the power steering option came with the integral type instead of the power assist. The transfer cases in mid 77 also became married to the transmission, and the truck was lowered, as the need to accomidate the lengthly drive shafts decending in both directions from a centrally located transfer case was supposedly "remedied". I prefer the unmarried transfer case for looks and simplicity in wrenching but I guess, to each their own.
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Last edited by olfordsnstone; Dec 16, 2003 at 01:20 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
as has already been pointed out all 1977 and earlier F250 4X4's are high boys. there was no option for lift, all F250 4X4's left the factory with all the same lift hardware. actually all ford 4X4's had lift blocks so i laugh when i hear people talk about that issue. the high boy has a 60's design ladder frame and is narrower. it does not matter if it has a divorced transfer case or not (yes, there was a fulltime 4X4 option with a mated transfer case). what makes it a highboy is simply the stance which is caused by the frame design which was used in all F250 4X4's not just some of them. hawkrod
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: ARIZONA
this is a great question . i drive 73f250hb and it has all the things everybody talks about and i just replaced the narrow frame horn cover on my truck so i think you as the owner can call it what you want
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