Frame width on highboy
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 338
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Originally Posted by 77highboylegacy
well the v i n is in the cab. frame stamping would be hard to see since it is a mud truck. but i can assure that the title says its a 78 and i'm the 3 rd owner. not that it's a big deal but it's an original 390 4 speed too.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 162
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From: Fayetteville, GA
on using a tank from a burb, what all do you have to do to get it to fit in the trucks? mounts etc, are the filler necks on the correct side as well. I have been looking at doing this for a while and I was trying to find out what year burb tank to use, and how they mounted up, etc.. Thanks
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by 77highboylegacy
I had a 78 that had the narrow frame but 79 it ceased. there is actually a 77 1/2 highboy had round lights not many original rectangle light highboys alot of swaps though
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The Narrow frame ceased in mid 77 build number Y20000.
after that they were all wide frames,.
Headlights had nothing to do with highboys.
Round head lights in 78 were put on CUSTOM trim level trucks only.
In 1978, Rectangular headlights were the new standard on Ranger trim 78's.
Last edited by Mil1ion; Dec 24, 2006 at 01:13 PM.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by 77highboylegacy
well the v i n is in the cab. frame stamping would be hard to see since it is a mud truck. but i can assure that the title says its a 78 and i'm the 3 rd owner. not that it's a big deal but it's an original 390 4 speed too.
1978 models were built in 1977 up until December 31st 1977.
That has to be a truck altered by a person belonging to FTE at one time.
That's how he knew how to do "all that swapping"
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by 77highboylegacy
well the v i n is in the cab. frame stamping would be hard to see since it is a mud truck. but i can assure that the title says its a 78 and i'm the 3 rd owner. not that it's a big deal but it's an original 390 4 speed too.
1976 was the last year for an FE.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
GM uses a center hole for their tanks, so you can just connect up the OEM setup from your truck. You may have to get a different sending unit, Equus brand gauges makes one.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Fayetteville, GA
Originally Posted by Matts72
GM uses a center hole for their tanks, so you can just connect up the OEM setup from your truck. You may have to get a different sending unit, Equus brand gauges makes one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
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From: Montana Territory
I haven't figured out the sending unit dilemna yet... as far as the mounting, you can get or make tank straps from a full size Bronco or a Suburban. I have no idea on the hitch, I hadn't been concerned with that at this point, however, you might measure one for a suburban.
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
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your right i'm wrong. I looked it up feeling confident but learned. the truck frame is a 76 so is engine and tranny. front clip and cab are 78. My confussion lies in 2 things 78 wouldn't fit frame holes for 76 (narrow frame) and why do I have a 78 title with matching v i n as cab. could this change been made many many moons ago. 76 had in. 6 302 351 360 390 77 had in. 6 302 351m or c 400. thats what i have gathered.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
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From: fargo, nd
cab mounts are the same from 73-79, its the box mounts that are different between the lowboy and highboy, and id assume the po did the cab swap and just licensed it as a 78 because thats what the cab was from and after all, what the government doesnt know doesnt hurt them
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
The cab mounts are slightly different in the highboys. The front mounts are the same, but the rear mounts in the cab are different, but easily changed. If you look at your cab, there were four holes manufactured. The highboys used the outer most and everything else used the inner most. Whichever wasn't used was just blanked out. All you have to do is drill the others out to mount.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 560
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From: Radisson Sask
So your vin number is begins with F26 not the F25 I know my 76 highboy has vin # f15 on the cab cause thats what was put on after a rollover. Put the actual number is F26
Back tank I used one from an F150 turned it sideways and bolted it in you just have to run the fill to the center rear if I remember correctly.
Back tank I used one from an F150 turned it sideways and bolted it in you just have to run the fill to the center rear if I remember correctly.