I just acquired a relative's Ford F250 Custom 4x4
Here's what I know about it

400ci, 2bbl
About a 5" lift block on the rear axle, looks factory
Double set of rear leaf springs
Front and rear gear cover has 10 bolts, with a drainplug in the center, right side. There is a metal tag of sorts held down by the 2 bolts on the left side of the cover, verticle of of each other.

Gas tank is behind the rear seat. I thought that was really strange. Has another tank on the driver side, outside of the frame rail.
There is a gas door on the rear drivers side, but it has been secured shut, it goes to no tank.

It has 8 lug wheels 16" diameter, rear hubs say "Modern"
Front 4 piston disk brakes, drums on the rear

It sits over 4.5 feet from the ground to the drivers window (seems really tall) - has 235/85 16 tires

The transfer case is in the middle of the truck. Has a metal tag
Model 203, Ratio 19? (last number has a dent/crease, cannot read it)

Here's the tag from the driver door:

VIN: F26SR02xxxx
W.B: 133
Color: L
Type: F260
Body: DA4
Trans: G
Axle: 24(another number/letter is there, ruined by rivet. Possibly a "J")

Max GVWR: 06750
DSO: 1977 74

Could someone enlighten me to what type of truck this actually is? The side badging has f250 custom, and I'm confised by the door tag's f260.

Any info or background history would be great. I can get some pic up if needed.

Overall, the truck is in excellent shape. no rust, nothing more than a few rock dings in the body. Everything works fine inside the cab (lights, guages etc)

I've always wanted a late 70's Ford 4x4, and now that I finally have one, I'd like to know what I REALLY have.


Thanks in advance

 

VIN: F26SR02xxxx

F26 = F250 4x4 Reg cab
S= 400 engine
R- built at San Jose Calif
O20xxxx - consecutive build code - Are you sure about the O ?
How about it being a Q ?

W.B: 133
wheelbase =133"

Color: L - Holly Green ? Brooke Blue Poly ?

Type: F260
Pickup code denoting GVWR -6850 lbs

Body: DA4
D - Knit & Vinyl Bench seat
A - Black Interior
4= styleside box

Trans: G = 3 spd automatic - C6

Axle: 24 - Dana 60 4.10 ratio 5300 lb

J = Power steering

 

Wow, good info there!

I double checked the VIN, it still looks like an "O"

Did a bit more researching - with the springs and lift block on the axle - is this a hi boy?

The color is sort of a pale yellow-green. i suspect it to be the factory color, since the corresponding doorjambs, interior parts etc are all the same.

Thanks much

 

Yes it is

I'll check another source for that O.

Duh me I forgot to change the XXXX's

It,s a 77 which is what I thought it may be.

The Highboy nickname ended at Y80,000

 

Bulce,
Welcome to FTE
F26 stands for F250 4x4. A F250 that is 2wd will have a Vin that starts with F25. Its just the way Ford labeled the vins.
Your truck is an early '77. It is what is known as a Highboy that has a factory lift of about 2" which was the way all 73-77 F250 4x4s were built. Dana 44 front axle and Dana 60 rear. NP 203 transfercase is chain driven and were mostly full time 4wd that were divorced (seperate from the transmission connected by a short driveshaft). The 235 tires on there now probably look like doughnuts. You can easily fit 35" tires and with the 400 motor and 4.10 gears you will have plenty of power and decent highway gas mileage.

Great truck! Please post some pictures. Have fun with it.

 

The odd thing is the 400cid in a highboy. I was under the impression that only FE's and 300 I6's were the options. The later 77's (to 79's )had the 400. I could be wrong, though.

 

I'll post some images in the next day or so. Yes, the 235's look like skinny little doughnuts...It sounds like this is a pretty stout 4x4 right from the factory.

What kind of HP/Torque does the stock 400 put out?
Any thoughts or ideas on upgrading the intake/carb and adding headers and a larger exhaust?

A close friend of mine owns a automotive repair shop, so tools, lifts etc are all there to use. The only thing he doesn't have is an exhaust pipe bender..

I'm looking forward to having some fun with the truck, i just want to be sure I have the right approach to it.

 

The 77 400 put out a whopping 160 Hp and about 285 ft lbs Tq at 2400 rpm.


Intalling a Edelbrock performer intake and 600-650 cfm DP w/VS will help a lot.

If you are after more performance see the article in the article section under engines.

That engine is capable of 700+ Hp.
This is a seperate topic and that is what the 335 engine series forum is for though.
To talk about the 400.

 

Sounds like you got a sweet deal. Not only does every thing sound like its original but its also in good shape. Take good care of it and it will treat you well.

 

The 400 in a highboy is correct...but only for half a year I believe. The one I have came with a 400 C6 Np203 full time 4wd. I think the 76 highboy still had the 360 or the I6, but the 77 highboy started with the "new, more efficient 351/400 engine." (as quoted from a Ford flyer I have.) You are right though, the trucks are very stout from the factory. If you want to make any real power I'd suggest ditching that 400 for a 460. The 460 will start you out with a lot more torque in stock form, and like they say "there's no replacement for displacement." Good luck..if you need info just search this site.. .there's lots of it.

 

Something I learned not all that long ago. The 351M/400 came out with the start of the '77 MY, and the "high boy" ended around the middle of the MY.

 

A misconception is that the "high boy's" came with a factory lift kit. They did NOT. The inherent design of the chassis made them sit the way they do. The newer trucks were actually designed to sit lower.