lifting a highboy
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 240
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From: Appleton, WI
lifting a highboy
My buddy has a 73 f250 highboy he is wondering about how he can lift it higher. Where is a good place to find a cheaper lift, because he doesnt have a lot of money. Otherwise does anybody know where you can get a drop shackle kit for this truck. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
What is he looking to spend on his lift (max) and how much does he plan to lift it? A set of 4 springs will run $800-$1000. He could do a shackle flip in the rear and gain anywhere from 3-6" for $0-$100 all depending on if he uses his own bracket, Sky bracket, hanger, etc. If the rear needs more than that he can get new drop hangers for under $200. I will find you a link if you want. I don't know of any companies making drop brackets for the front of the old Highboys so unless he wants to fabricate his own lift up front (not hard to do) he'd be best to buy a pair of springs.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 112
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From: Chesterfield, VA
I lifted my '76 4"...with springs from National Spring. I would not use them again. First they sent front springs for a Lowboy 78/79...worked out well because they didn't ask for them back so I sold them.
The fronts ARE very nice...after waiting a couple months to get them. The rear springs...are too short. They didn't get the length right so my shackle is now sitting forward quite a bit. I planned to run a small block even with the lift springs so it wouldn't have a huge arch...but now I'm going to do a shackle flip as well to get rid of the block and fix my shackle angle, as well as centering teh wheel in the wheel opening again.
So, in short...I'd buy the Skyjacker front springs that are readily available and do a shackle flip in the rear to get about 4" lift.
The fronts ARE very nice...after waiting a couple months to get them. The rear springs...are too short. They didn't get the length right so my shackle is now sitting forward quite a bit. I planned to run a small block even with the lift springs so it wouldn't have a huge arch...but now I'm going to do a shackle flip as well to get rid of the block and fix my shackle angle, as well as centering teh wheel in the wheel opening again.
So, in short...I'd buy the Skyjacker front springs that are readily available and do a shackle flip in the rear to get about 4" lift.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I've got pics in my gallery for both front and rear. If he has tools and some basic fab skills he can do it. If he doesn't have much experience in this I'd suggest paying someone else to do it or going with springs so it doesn't come apart on the highway. These lifts aren't difficult if you know what you're doing but if don't and you mess it up it could cost you big time.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton, WI
He will probably end up doing a rear shackle flip and buying the front springs. Where do you recommend buying them from and whats the part number. Thanks.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 789
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From: Durham, NC
Rear on pre77 is 2 1/4" wide compared to 77 1/2, 78-79 being 3". And can be bought as a set for 2" and 4" lift from Skyjacker if I recall right. Might be 4 and 6? But the fronts are the same width (3"), and a pre77 highboy is like 4" higher (stock) to factor in when lifting. But also, all highboys I've seen sag in the front (stock) and equaling like a 2 1/2" lift in front and 4" blocks in the rear. I'd guess a 2" lift spring in the rear without the blocks would equal the front? I'm just now flipping my shackles and haven't got as far as ordering any springs yet myself. Ashamed nobody makes a kit for these things. 3" wide hangers and re-welding new perches with a 78-79 lift might be an option?
Early bronco's have the 2 1/4" wide rear springs as well. Just for information.
Early bronco's have the 2 1/4" wide rear springs as well. Just for information.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 330
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From: Newhall,CA
Ivan, just the rear springs are 2.5 inches. The front 4 inch lift springs on a highboy are the same part number as the 6 inch lowboy lift springs. The rears are different and will not work if you swap em.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton, WI
I am going to buy the front springs that give you 4 inches of lift. and i want about the same in the rear will a shackle flip in the back be to much. because i want it to sit as level as possible.