Frame & Ident questions
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Frame & Ident questions
this has been talked about but i can't find it any where.my frame rails are 28 1/8 inside to inside of the lip of the top of the frame.(1) is that the right mesurement for a highboy frame? (2) i need to put a bigger tank in the truck it has a 16 gallon behind the seat tank now but i need more capacity. i was thinking of putting in a tank from a gmc or blazer something like that i read somewhere that it can be done but i can't find it and can't remember the mesurements.any ideas? (3)VIN, the number is f26hl084121 what does all that mean? mt is the color code and it says for the "type" is f262 axle is code 24j. the trans code is a so i assume that that means it is an auto. even thought it has a 4 speed in it.the body code is ld4 on the bot5tom of the tag is dsd 1977 73 so if you guys can come up with any ideas i would really like to here them.oh yea the wheel base is 133 if that helps. the reason i'm asking is to find out if i have a real highboy or the guy i bouhgt it from was building the truck in to a hiboy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
I was just going to let this be moved to the proper forum but I'll throw ya a bone. It sounds like you have a "highboy". Rember, that all a highboy is, is slang that the public gave to the 67-77.5 run of F250 4x4s because of their taller stance. This means, of course, that EVERY 67-77.5 F-250 4x4 is a "highboy". No, its really not a mythological beast. Since yours is a '77 it can go either way. However, your rear frame width measurement tells me its of the earlier, narrower version...i.e., "highboy". Should also have some @4" factory blocks between your axles and your springs. Don't know what to tell you about the gas tank...I've been thinking about doing that to mine but was just going to weld one up. Let us know if you find a gm drop in that fits.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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You can find info on what is a "highboy" with VIN and rating plate decoder information in the FAQ sticky at the top of this 73-9 forum.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
frdhighboy77, I feel your pain. I too am trying to come up with a factory gas tank that will fit between the frame rails. I bought my 73 f250 4x4 with a home made (welded) tank there. It was 50 gallons capacity and had the fill hose mounted at the rear bed tank fill access so it was fairly clean looking on the bed side, except for the tank hanging down so low (50 gallon tank). I mistakenly took that tank out as I wasn't super happy with the way it looked hanging down. If I could do it over, I would learn to live with it. If you are a good welder, or know someone who could weld one up for you, you might be able to make one up that would fit nicely under there. Mine had flat steel bars laid across the bottom of the tank with threaded stock suspending the tank up to the bed of the truck. Rubber pads too between the flat steel and the tank. You can buy a piece of gas fill hose at an auto parts store and use exhaust tubing to make any bends you might need to make it go where it needs to. Hose clamps to connect the rubber hose to the pipe. Mine went over the frame rail on the left side, (between the frame rail and the bed.
Good Luck. Tim
Good Luck. Tim
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
It's been my understanding that the "highboy" is a F350 frame, badged as an F250. Not all the F350 running gear, but the frame itself is an F350 frame, hence the narrow rear rails - same as a F350...
My '74 is a "highboy" - After a while, I just started saying it was an F350 when I went to a junkyard for parts, it caused too much confusion. Still, drum brakes were the F250 size, you get the idea.
Sort of an F250 "HD"
My '74 is a "highboy" - After a while, I just started saying it was an F350 when I went to a junkyard for parts, it caused too much confusion. Still, drum brakes were the F250 size, you get the idea.
Sort of an F250 "HD"
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 273
From: Tulare U.S.A.
http://www.aerotanks.com/ Try thease guys they are the only ones I know of (and Ive looked alot) that make a tank that will bolt into a highboy with out getting the torch and welder out. I bought one and am happy with it. Its 32 gal and you cant mout the spaire tire under the bed any more.
Also next time do a search this has been talked about alot.
Leadmic
Also next time do a search this has been talked about alot.
Leadmic