lifting 77 highboy
New User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
lifting 77 highboy
I'm considering a 4 " lift and I have absolutely no experiance.
Any words of wisdom from you ol salty dogs would be appreciated. I understand that a custom drag link must be manufactured. Are there any other problems?
Any words of wisdom from you ol salty dogs would be appreciated. I understand that a custom drag link must be manufactured. Are there any other problems?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
lifting 77 highboy
Well I don't consider myself a rusty dog, but I have looked into lifting my HighBoy. I have the 73 F250 4X4 and was running 33" tires. I just switched to 35" and had NO problem.
Just to let you know, lifting 4" on a true HighBoy is probably too much. The HighBoy's are well known for handling hugh tires stock!
But IF you really want to...
I would look into purchasing NEW springs from national spring that are custom bent to your specs. I would avoid having yours rebent as this tends not to last. You could also just use the 'add a leaf' or add overload springs. If you want to clear larger tires, you can do a body lift instead. I got new rubber for under the cab and front custom made that gives me about a 5/8" lift and a better ride. You could get a 2" body lift kit with all new bolts and add replacement rubber pads to get about 3" and a better ride.
Don't forget that a body lift has much different weight shift than a suspension lift because you are not lifting the engine, axles, trans ... You keep better center of gravity.
Just to let you know, lifting 4" on a true HighBoy is probably too much. The HighBoy's are well known for handling hugh tires stock!
But IF you really want to...
I would look into purchasing NEW springs from national spring that are custom bent to your specs. I would avoid having yours rebent as this tends not to last. You could also just use the 'add a leaf' or add overload springs. If you want to clear larger tires, you can do a body lift instead. I got new rubber for under the cab and front custom made that gives me about a 5/8" lift and a better ride. You could get a 2" body lift kit with all new bolts and add replacement rubber pads to get about 3" and a better ride.
Don't forget that a body lift has much different weight shift than a suspension lift because you are not lifting the engine, axles, trans ... You keep better center of gravity.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
lifting 77 highboy
77 is the cut off year..
theres been much debate about them...now i believe a quick way to tell is by the engine if its an 351M/400 then its not a highboy i believe.. they had positive arch springs but springs can sag.
anyhoo..if it has the M block then you can get a lift from any of the manufacturers like rancho, tuff country,etc.
they list 771/2 thru 79 F-250,350
if yours is b4 771/2 or..yielding an FE(usually) then its harder to find.
theres been much debate about them...now i believe a quick way to tell is by the engine if its an 351M/400 then its not a highboy i believe.. they had positive arch springs but springs can sag.
anyhoo..if it has the M block then you can get a lift from any of the manufacturers like rancho, tuff country,etc.
they list 771/2 thru 79 F-250,350
if yours is b4 771/2 or..yielding an FE(usually) then its harder to find.
New User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
lifting 77 highboy
I think I got some bum dope from the guy at national tire and wheel that led me to belive that it is a highboy. Mine has a 400,does not have the power assist steering, has a two leaf pack front springs, the rear springs are 3" wide, the rear frame with is 37.5", and I have an open knuckle front axle. These are all indicators to me that it is a "lowboy".
If anyone has any words of wisdom or experiance lifting these your assistance would be appreciated.
If anyone has any words of wisdom or experiance lifting these your assistance would be appreciated.
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I don't know who told you that because it has a 351/400 m motor that it is not a highboy.... But they are incorrect. The 351M motor was the most prominent engine used in the 77's compared to the 360/390's used in the previous model years. I own a 77 f250 highboy with a 351M motor built in I believe April of that year. I plan on installing a 6 inch lift and 36 inch tires in the next few weeks. Could go with 4" but it's just about the same price as the 6".... The issue is with these old trucks unless you have owned it for its entire life the old owner could've done anything to it... Mine was a farm truck before I bought it and it has all sorts of stuff rigged onto it. But the suspension system was left at stock along with the drive train. She's a rusty old girl but once I get done with her she'll be a beautiful looking rig.
But after my lil off topic rant most of the kits will come with everything you need. I am a firm believer of buying auto parts from a 4x4 shop rather than online because they know their product and if you need something extra with it they will usually let you know.
But after my lil off topic rant most of the kits will come with everything you need. I am a firm believer of buying auto parts from a 4x4 shop rather than online because they know their product and if you need something extra with it they will usually let you know.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14,724
Likes: 0
From: Gods Country, Kansas
I think I got some bum dope from the guy at national tire and wheel that led me to believe that it is a highboy. Mine has a 400,does not have the power assist steering, has a two leaf pack front springs, the rear springs are 3" wide, the rear frame with is 37.5", and I have an open knuckle front axle. These are all indicators to me that it is a "lowboy".
If anyone has any words of wisdom or experience lifting these your assistance would be appreciated.
If anyone has any words of wisdom or experience lifting these your assistance would be appreciated.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 1
From: lino lakes, mn
Look under your truck "highboy" has a DIVORCED TRANSFER CASE "lowboy" has the transfer case MATED to the transmission. 76 was the last year for the 360. All v8 f250
4x4s had either the 351m or 400
4x4s had either the 351m or 400
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Where did you find a 6" lift for a highboy? to my knowledge no such animal exists, or are you referring to a custom lift...
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Sounds like a PO did some sort of highboy/lowboy marriage, do you have any pics you can post up?
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Yah I have pics but they are on my phone if you have an email I can email them... But they sell a 6 inch lift kit at www.4wheelparts.com they have several shops across the states I believe. I know one here in Colorado...
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
But they sell a 6 inch lift kit at www.4wheelparts.com they have several shops across the states I believe.
That date is used to distinguish a highboy from a lowboy as the 77 model year was the break between the two trucks.
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