I would like to hear your opinions comparing the chassis setup of the highboy / lowboy. I now have a '77 F-250 4X4 crewcab with the D44/married t-case/integral ps AND a '74 F-250 4X4 crewcab highboy with the D60 lo-pinion/divorced t-case/power assist steering. I need to sell one of these, and it's tough to choose which one. The front axle isn't an issue since I have a '79 F-350 4X4 that will supply the D-60 -- what about the chassis setup in general?

I plan to use the stock suspension with add-a-leaf for about 2" and 35" tires max.

 

do you like one more than the other? keep both, because " he who dies with the most toys wins"

 

In honest opinion id keep the "77. It already has power steering and the married case. When you put an add a leaf you can clear 35s. How do the bodys compare?

 

personally i like the highboys. 35's will fit without the aal and i like the divorced transfer case. too bad about the steering though. of course if you're parting out the 79, take the steering off it too and put it on the 74. like cheeto said, how are the bodies?

 

It's almost like a 6 of one half dozen another scenario. IMO the advantages of the 77.5+ include the better power steering setup and high pinion axle. For a truck this length, I think the divorced setup is better. The driveshaft lengths are closer, it moves more weight to the rear of the truck, and it's easier to work on. Put the HP d60 in the front of the 74 and put the 77.5+ steering box in it and it'd be a perfect truck imo.

Anyway, that's about the only differences. Both are good, just some minor pros and cons to consider. I basically built one from the bottom up, a 79 crew cab with divorced t-case on a custom mount to raise it up. Best of all worlds imo.

 

I figured the popular thought is that the later setup is better. I've had decent experience with the power assist steering and I think maybe some like it better? But it sure is leaky...

The bodies are both terrible - I'm in the middle of changing the cab on the '74 now. I thought I had this truck sold before but it didn't work out, so it's still here. I would like to put a bumpside body on one...

 

I second that; keep both if you can, crew cabs are hard to find!

 

Oh crap i just noticed where your at fomoco. Im in Mannington WV. If you decide to sell i want a price. Ive got a rust free 79 crew and im always up for more. Ive even got tradin material. Hey while your at it check out the WV Chapter of FTE. Were always lookin for members.

 

OK, I'll let you know. What kind of tradin' material??

You have what I need - a rust-free body. Any more like it?

 

Nope thats the only crew ive got. I plan on doin a 4wd conversion in the summer and a desiel hopefully soon. Ive got a bunch of Ford parts. About 5 yrs and 2 dozen trucks worth.