When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
There are a TON of posts on the subject. It's loosely used for the 73-77 4x4 F250s, but the term actually is meant to tell the difference between the 77 & 77.5 trucks. The latter of which has the negative arch leaf springs, making it sit around 4 inches lower.
It not being a factory term, it's all open to interpretation, but the folks who have a TRUE highboy (early 77 F250 4x4) are very particular about what is called a highboy. The term couldn't have existed until the 77.5 trucks came around, as everything beforehand was just a 4x4 F250. The bump-side (67-72) trucks have no involvement in the highboy/lowboy talk.
Highboy is used many times as a selling point for old 4x4 Fords. The same as the 351m becomes a Cleveland and the 360 is suddenly a 390 at selling time.
two other things different about hiboys is that the transfer case is divorced from the transmission, and that the frame rails are narrower, approx. 34in wide....which i have found to be a pain for finding headers to fit
67-77.5 F250 4wds that were taller than typical trucks in that era were considered HIGHBOY'S why because they sat higher then other models. Typical of the HIGHBOY was a gas tank behind the seat, Narrower frame rails, Divorced transfer thus giving it three drive shafts, front spring hanger is a crossmember style, has 6 ply spring packs 3 wide, Rear springs 2.5 wide and 9 ply. All I can think of.
The statement that they only refer to 73 to 77.5 is not true I know some friends in TX that call there 70 F250 and 72 F250 HIGHBOY's and get mad when you consider only the 73 77's as HIGHBOY'S
Welcome!!!!
two other things different about hiboys is that the transfer case is divorced from the transmission, and that the frame rails are narrower, approx. 34in wide....which i have found to be a pain for finding headers to fit
The frame shouldnt get any narrower until behind the cab. Reguar headers fit fine. I didnt have any prob on my highboy
There are 65-66 trucks that can be classified as Highboys as well.
The 1973-1977 F-250 4x4 share the same frame width with the 67-72 models for one. One of the reasons the Factory main gas tank is in the cab for all highboys.