I've seen a few threads here where the author refers to his truck as a "highboy". The only time (before I started reading these forums) I've heard that term used was in connection with pre-WWII, fenderless hot rods.

What is a "highboy" here?

 

Highboys basically came from the factory with a suspension lift. I'm not sure on the exact years but produced from about 68' thru 77'. I'm sure someone will post with accurate info.

 

from the 73-79 archives...


Highboy
There are many threads here on the "Highboy".

You can find many of them with the search function.


The basic definition seems to be:
=========================
A Hiboy is a Ford truck that came from the factory as having the following:
- Built from 1967 thru 1977.5.
- F-250.
- 4x4.
- Divorced transfer case.

Trucks that are NOT considered a Hiboy are:
- Any truck built after mid-1977.
- Anything other than an F-250.

There will always be a couple very oddball exceptions but, for the most part, this is it.

Front axle choices in the Hiboy were either the 8 lug Dana 44 or the old style low-slung pinion Dana 60 (commonly referred to as the Dana 50). Engine choices were either the 6 cylinder or 360 2 bbl. Steering was either manual or power ram assist.

-Basic definition provided by user: BigBuddy
=====================H==============

It has been pointed out that the 300, 351M, and 400 were the engines available in the 77 model year.

 

Thanks. That clears that up!

 

Not yet...If Ford was shipping them out the factory doors like that, what market was Ford after??? Off-roaders, construction workers, snowplowers????
Who was buying them and why??

I kind of remember them, did they also come with high profile narrow wheels?
I am sure they had taller, skinnier wheels.

 

basically, it was the 4x4 F250, all of the 4x4's produced in those years that were 250's were set up the same, but got the nickname highboy, I suppose because they appeared to have a factory lift, but the lift is myth, they just sat that way. As far as I know, there was no special package, no special wheels or any of that. They had a narrower frame than the 2wd's.But all a "highboy" is, is a 4x4 F250 built in those years.

 

I should have used "appeared" to have a factory lift. Yes it is the way they sat but the fact is they sat taller from the factory than other brands.

The last few years Ford has raised the 4x4's back up, which I don't mind but it does make it more difficult to hook up to a fifth wheel trailer and keep the trailer level. Even changing the axels to spring over doesn't help much in a lot of cases.

 

Until I got the info here, I was under the belief of the 4" factory lift, but yes, it just happened to sit that way. I had problems getting front shocks for my 75, as the type and length were different, even though it sat stock. I had to custom order the shocks, I don't know why the aftermarket didn't reproduce the proper shocks for it.
I agree, the extra height can be nice, but trying to hook up and run gooseneck or fifth wheel trailers sucks.

 

I remember seeing "HighBoy" written on the windshields of some F250's back in the 70's, while setting on Ford dealership lots to be sold. They were indeed tall. Good Luck!