what is highboy
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by big_i80
Uh sqeezer I beg to differ on the payload option. The highboy's (pre77.5) have a narrower frame and have more crossmembers than a post 77.5. This yields a frame that is capable of higher stresses, ie torsion and bending.
The frame does not determine the ultimate limit of payload capacity.
The wider frame allows for a wider spring and shock stance which of course gives a more stable ride given the same spring rate.
Next...
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by big_i80
You never said anything about stability, and yes a highboy frame is more resistant to torsion. Don't believe me, take 2 2x4's 1 10 feet long and 1 3 feet long and try to bend both. Tell me which bends more.
yea yea first year Engineering...
Neither one of those chassis has a weak frame. If you break the frame on either of those trucks you are operating so far outside any reasonable limit as to not be worth talking about
Again I would like a real example of how a higboy is better.
And for the record I have owned and worked both chassis types for hundreds of thousands of miles
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Hey squeezer here in CA 75 and older Highboys are the best cause you ain't got to to deal with the FN smog every other year. So you can run what ever you want. With that said everything else you listed is spot on.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3
From: nebraska
I like them all.Hey its a Ford. High or low there all great. Im gone for awhile and look at all the bickering going on.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Idaho cda postfalls
I like both years 73 to 77 and 78 to 79 i have owned botha a 79 1/2 ton with 4 inches lift 35 and a 429 locked up all the way around. now i own a 76 highboy 4 inches of lift over stock and 35 i like them both of course i got the highboy after some one else tried to screw it up so im stuck fixing his mess ups, not to many highboys around with ac cruise and delay wipers. and true power steering. and soon to be a 429 in it too. i really like the hieght over the 78 and 79 though
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 2
From: okc
my 78 might be a "lowboy" , but it wont be low when i get done with it, its getting about 4" of lift for now...........until i purchase everything to 4 link and airbag it 
then ill have 4-15"s of lift on demand!!! lookout highboys, the 78-79's are stepping up!!!!!!!!
then ill have 4-15"s of lift on demand!!! lookout highboys, the 78-79's are stepping up!!!!!!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
Highboys are better cause I like em better. Just kidding. I do prefer the highboys as this was Fords classic immage for so many years. Chevy and Dodge had some nice looking trucks for a while, all sittin up there, but Ford kept the tradition. Longer front drive shaft etc... I just think that "4X4 TRUCK" YELLS AT YA when you see one of these beasts. Now, if you guys wanna try to mimick what just came natural for the highboys, I guess I can understand how you would want to look like that. Rant rant rant...
No really, I AM just kidding, it is all good. Fords just kick butt!
No really, I AM just kidding, it is all good. Fords just kick butt!
Last edited by olfordsnstone; Mar 27, 2005 at 05:05 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 2
From: Lewistown, PA
A good friend of mine has a '79 4x4 sb that he put 35's on. It only rubbed a little when hitting very hard bumps or with the wheel at full lock in reverse. I has a 4" lift on it now, so there are no probs. I NEVER would have guessed that 35's would fit on a stock truck. Try doing that with a cheby!!
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by fordfury469
my 35 rubbed on my radius arms and my headers with 4 inches of lift.
Just for clarity...
If you have a short box, your truck is not a highboy...
If you have radius arms, your truck is not a highboy...
if you have 5 lugs on anything, your truck is not a highboy...
Highboys are characterized by 3/4 ton (only), divorced T-cases (only), ram type power steering (only).