First thing I want to do is introduce myself my name is Tyler. I own a 65 3/4 ton 4x4 and I'm a rookie to this forum. My Highboy is not on the road yet or in the dirt for that matter. That's what interested me in this club it seems like there are tons of great resources and maybe somebody out there that knows something about my truck or Fords in general.

 

Hello Tyler, Welcome to FTE The nations truck stop.

You came to the right place. I hope that you will take some time to read our archives. Most any question that you might have has been asked several times already.

We try hard to help the members here.

John

 

Welcome aboard Tyler remember there are no stupid questions but you will get the occasional stupid answer.

 

Hi, Tyler welcome!!! Tell us a little about your truck and your plans....so we can spend your money!!!

 

Welcome aboard and again as John mention above you have tap into the best Ford Truck website with folks that love their trucks and have a ton of knowledge and are enthusiast's too help you and guys like me to keep the Best Trucks going...

Mitch

 

Yeah WELCOME Tyler, plenty of knowledge here that's for sure. . . .

FBp

 

well thats great guys. Happy to be accepted and thanks for the hospitality!!!

As for my truck I think it will stay pretty much stock. I think a nice clean funcional pick up will suit my personal style just fine. I'm not to much of a snob so a few aftermarket parts here and there doesn't bother me a bit.

I live out here in central California and spend Quite a bit of time up in the Sierras and my 69 camper special does ok up there but I would like to do some more exploring thats why I picked up the 65.


A guy at work told me the only difference between 2 and 4 wheel drive was the length of the walk back. I guess there's a little bit of truth behind that?


As of this moment the truck is in pretty bad shape I picked it up for 250$ so I dont feel so bad. A 300 6cyl. is whats whats under the hood according to the valve cover and it has an emission sticker so obviously later model. I'll have to crawl up under the hood this week end get the #'s and do some investigating. The rest of the drive train I believe is stock. It sets on a set of old ring lock wheels.


The cab is real bad shape its rotted in the front corners around the mounting holes so bad there's no metal left around the bolts. I have a feeling I'm not the first to come across this much cancer. Does any body know of anyone who makes a patch or do I just need to cut my losses and start hunting for a decent cab???
Fenders,cowl,hood,grill all salvageable. The bed is the first thing to go. Correct me if I'm wrong but dont the factory high boys use an early-er bed?? Looks like somebody must have shortened or lengthen the bed on this thing there is a seem of "BIRDDROPPINGS" running down the middle.

well got to go guys sorry about the novel

 

Howdy Tyler and welcome aboard..You have indeed come to the right place for information. I have been around my truck since it was new and never knew anything until I came here. This site has realy made some of the work performed on my truck so much easier.

You should also check out the Northern California Chapter we are trying to build it up so if you get a moment come on over and say howdy.

jd

 

Welcome to the Site!

There's some truth to that, but mainly for those who haven't learned how Not to get stuck yet. And the way to learn how Not to get stuck is to go out and get stuck a dozen times in places were you can get help easily.

 

Any body know any thing about installing a wench and PTO on a 65 highboy????

 

The wench is usually in the seat next to you.... the PTO is optional in that case!



Actually I am sure the winch would need a custom bumper designed for it. I do not believe any of the readily available bumpers would fit the '65 easily. I would take some measurements of frame width, channel height, bumper mounting presently, and check a few local trucks with winches mounted to see if any of the bumpers look close.

Do you have a manual trans? if so which trans? The PTO bolts to the side of SOME manuals, but not all, so that is required info. The biggest hassle with a PTO winch is the required clearance to run the driveline from the PTO to the winch, it sometimes will not clear all the suspension/drivetrain components.

BTW, I thought all the "Highboys" were '73-'76,7 F250's that used a different frame and special spring packs to lift them from the factory. The '65 4x4 used the earlier '61-'64 beds, but that does not make them a highboy...I think.

 

Ok I'm learning quick, stay away from the corny jokes. Thanks for the correction on my terminology I was using the term highboy to loosely I guess. Do all 61-66 4x4s set the same or has something been modified?? Why have I heard that term used with these pick ups. I wonder how well a hydraulic unit would work, granted its probably way more complicated[tank,lines,controls,ect.] but I do work at a diesel shop and I do come across 6 bolt PTOs I dont know if the drive gear in the trans is the same as say an allison.

thanks for the help

 

I do not know why people have referred to the slicks as highboys. Without pictures I cannot say if your 4x has been lifted, the ones I have seen are fairly high off the ground, so it might be normal.

The gear in the PTO unit is different for the Allison versus the Borg Warner or New Process that you have in the '66. The hydraulic might work well, you would need to mount a pump(obviuosly) on the motor and run lines like you mentioned.

BTW, I was not making fun, just keeping the tone light.

 

The problem with PTO and hydrolic winches is the engine. Carberaters don't like to work on inclines for very long, and if you need the winch, you probably aren't sitting on flat, level ground. Electrics let you run the winch untill you can fire up the motor. Under water, up a cliff, upside down, sideways in a mud hole, whatever.

The other thing I like about electric winches is mounting them. you can fab up a fancy front bumper to hold a winch, or you can mount it on a reciver hitch type mount, then just add a reciever hitch to your front bumper, rear bumper, truck bed, trailer, kitchen counter, laundry room, where ever. That way, you can move your winch to where you need it most.

 

i think you should go all electric. there are some very good ones on the market these days and the only thing you may have to do is add another battery for the extra life you need. get a bumper that is designed for the winch and you'll be pretty much set.