Frame width on highboy
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
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Frame width on highboy
Hello, I have a F250 highboy with a 76 F100 cab on it. I don't know what year the frame is? it is 34 inches wide, dana 60 rear with 4.10s and dana 44 front with leafs. What years were the 34 inch frames used on highboys.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
From what I have read in this forum, the F250 up until 77.5 did not have a rear option fuel tank. Because of the frame width, which is 4 inches narrower, it's hard to find a tank that will fit.
If you search the term "highboy" in this forum, you will find a lot of info on the highboy. That's where I have found much of the information.
That standard 34 1/4" 38 gal. tank or the 34 3/4" 19 gal. tank won't fit. They will if you turn them sideways, but then you half to fabricate mounts, move crossmembers and deal with filler neck location. I think the camper specials came out with a rear tank, but those are rare to find.
If you search the term "highboy" in this forum, you will find a lot of info on the highboy. That's where I have found much of the information.
That standard 34 1/4" 38 gal. tank or the 34 3/4" 19 gal. tank won't fit. They will if you turn them sideways, but then you half to fabricate mounts, move crossmembers and deal with filler neck location. I think the camper specials came out with a rear tank, but those are rare to find.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 705
Likes: 2
From: Halifax, NS
i have turned a 19 gallon tank sideways to fit in between my frame rails at the rear. it is not quite ideal, due to the tank being somewhat of a wedge shape.
The height isnt the same of it from front to back in its normal orientation, so now placed sideways in my truck, one side isnt the same height as the other when viewed from the top - this made it tricky to mount
I will be looking for another solution for the long term
The height isnt the same of it from front to back in its normal orientation, so now placed sideways in my truck, one side isnt the same height as the other when viewed from the top - this made it tricky to mount
I will be looking for another solution for the long term
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New User
Joined: Nov 2006
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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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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,518
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From: Spokane, WA
All 77.5 and up should be wide frame. There are no factory rectangle headlight "highboys" that I know of. Ford offererd both round and rectangle headlights in '78 and I believe they were all rectangle in '79. My 78 Bronco Custom and '78 F250 Custom "lowboy" 4X4 had round headlights while my Dad's '78 Ranger XLT Bronco had the rectangle headlights. My 79 F150 4X4 Custom had the rectangle headlights as well.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 705
Likes: 2
From: Halifax, NS
There should be no Highboy's that had a 78-79 style grille shell, nevermind the headlights.
1 ton frames not narrower up front. the frames are the same width front to back, only the 'lowboy' frames deviated.
1 ton frames not narrower up front. the frames are the same width front to back, only the 'lowboy' frames deviated.
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19
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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.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by 77highboylegacy
...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.
I would go out of my way to check the frame and cab Vin numbers and to make sure they match. And if they didn't to find out why they don't, if I were you.