After reading through some of the discussions here, I am torn whether if I should get a 73-77 highboy, or a 78-79 lowboy. I plan on using this every once in a while off-road, but this will be my daily driver. I plan on lifting it 4-6 inches and putting 38 TSL radials.

From what everyone here says, the highboys were the best made trucks, but what makes everyone say that? What really distinguishes highboys from the 78 and 79 "lowboys"?

Is it simply because the highboys are 2 inches higher? Do these higboys have stronger axles and better drivetrains than their later brethren? Or are 78-79s just as strong, but lower?

If 78-79s are just lower, I dont think I will have a problem with that because whichever year I get, I will put a lift on my truck. If highboys are just plain out built better, then I would go for them. So if there are significant differences between lowboys and highboys, I'd like to know.

Thanks

 

If your looking at getting a "functional" truck, look for the 78-79 F250s. They have front disc brakes, open knuckles (easier to work on and find parts for) better power steering setup, high pinion front axle, and married transfer cases. Not that the older trucks are bad, but the above are more modern, updated conveniences.

Nathan

 

Pack a lunch before you start reading this. It's pretty long.

First let me say I love my truck and wouldn't get rid of it for anything, but there are some nice things about the lowboys that I wish my highboy had. So don't beat me up for what follows.

I have an early 77 F-250 "highboy", the last model year for the "highboy" version. It was built in March of 77. After March, Ford made several changes and introduced the lowboy as the 77-1/2 model. Actually, I don't think the term "highboy" even existed until Ford introduced (and actually called it) the "Lowboy". The term "highboy" was then invented (by the public, not by Ford) to help differentiate the two styles. I'm no expert, so don't consider this information gospel, but I'm fairly sure it's correct (help me out here folks):

NOTE: These are some of the differences that I know exist between the early 77's and the post-March 77's. Prior to March 77, I can't offer much information.

The changes that I consider major were: 1)Upgrade from Dana 44 front end to Dana 60; 2) External style manual hubs replaced by stronger internal manual style hubs; 3)Transfer case directly coupled to transmission (married) vs. old divorced style. This reduced the number of driveshafts from 3 to 2 and reduced the number of u-joints from 8 to 6. (Four u-joints on the driveshafts and two on the front axle); 4)BETTER STEERING ARRANGEMENT (I won't even go into this-email me if you want more info about it); 5) gas tank moved from behind the seat inside the cab to between the frame rails aft of the rear axle.

I'm sure there were more changes, but these are the ones I consider most significant to me. A couple positive things about the highboy besides the fact that it sits a couple inches higher is the frame width. The highboy's frame is about 27" inside to inside, whereas the lowboys were somewhere around 34". With the lowboy steering swapped into the highboy, you gain a some front tire clearance when making turns. Also, if you plan to swap in a 460, you can use the easier-to-find front sump oil pan without fear of the front axle hitting it. I think lowboys require the use of a 460 van oil pan. Hope this helps.

 

So besides the highboy's extra clearance and a narrower frame, there really is nothing else better than a lowboy? I guess I was wrong in thinking that there were more differences. Also, I don't quite completely understand the frame business. What are the advantages of having a narrower frame?

From the feedback I've gotten so far (on this board and others), the 78-79s are a better way to go. I've been looking far and wide for one, but so far the hunt has been rough. I keep seeing you guys get these for under $1k and I wonder if I'll ever find a nice rig for that much...

Any more defense for the highboy?

 

It is true that the advantages of the 78/79 are nice. The power steering is great as are disk brakes, the gas tank in the frame would be nice to give some in-the-cab storage. But, I like the Highboys, you can upgrade all the parts, but that's more time and money. Steering boxes are hard to find and disk brake upgrades are pricy.
I upgraded my Highboy with the powersteering from a 78/79 and love it. I like the engine choices of the Highboy (FE 360/390) and the NP435 with NP205 is great and one of the strongest made. I don't see the divorced TC as a down side.

Given the fact that the Highboy ran for more years, you might have better luck finding one then finding a 78/79. As for the narrow frames, this can be better for turning larger tires.

 

The early frame is only narrower than the 78-79 frame in the rear. The 78-79 frame gets narrower from rear to to front whereas the earlier ones had straight rails. So your clearance in the front between big tires and the frame/springs for steering is the same on the low boy. The 78-79 models had all the desirable parts on them.