Dude, buy it!!! 
CK5
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*Pictures* Ford F250 price check
- Thread starter dasanii19
- Start date
79k20350 said:
Lets see, the list isn't too long nor short, so, it goes like this:
Highboys:
Different frame, more straighter than the newer ones, which has a "factory lift" of approximately 2".
D44's come in closed and open knuckles, disc and drum brakes.
HB's don't have power steering like GM's do. They use a slave cylinder mounted on the D44 which runs lines to the steering pump. The gear box is a standard manual box.
The rearmost part of the frame is narrower than the '77.5 on up. A newer bed won't bolt directly to a HB frame unless you drill holes in the bed to align up to the mounting holes.
HB's have in-cab gas tanks behind the seat.
HB's ran FE motors up to '76 and then in '77 they ran the 351M/400's. Even the '77.5 ran the 351M/400, too, throughout the years.
HB's use a divorce, or remote, transfercase. Utilize a short, third driveshaft between the tranny and t-case.
3" wide front springs. 2 1/4" wide rear springs.
Lowboys:
Frames are different than HB's. Springs are flatter like GM's, hence the lower stance due to the gas wars in the late 70's and lowering trucks became the "norm" to try to increase mileage. Lowboys are approximately 2" shorter than HB's.
LB's have power steering like GM's. No more slave cylinders, etc.
Transfercases became married to the trannys. This is only true on the F250's.
D60 open knuckle fronts became "norm" in some F250's. They are the highly sought after front D60s next to GM D60's.
No more in-cab fuel tanks. Most were run at the very rearmost inside the framerails. A dual tank option put the 2nd tank inside the rails right after the t-case. Both tank filler doors are on the driver side.
3" wide front and rear springs.
Skyjacker offers lift springs for the HB & LB trucks. Even though they advertise the front springs for a HB at 4", it will lift the LB 6". Rear springs will not interchange due to width of the packs.
There are quite a few other differences but the above listed are general common variables that differ the two trucks. I prefer the Highboys due to their factory "lift" stance. They look mean and cool at the same time.
L&L Products is a company out of Rowlett, Texas that offers 429/460 swaps into these trucks with relative ease. While they sell complete kits to do such a swap, be aware their prices are not easy on the wallets. But they save that much time from finding and fitting the correct parts since Fords seemingly have made so many different brackets to fit all their motors.
Notice where GM has a SBC and a BBC, they both share the same bellhousing.
Now on a Ford, you have several different engine families and they all use different bellhousing patterns.
Fords, IMO, are a little more "complicated" due to the different variances in motors, trannys, etc. But this is what makes it fun to find the correct parts and rounding them up to get your rig going. Nothing says it like finding a part yourself and getting something built by you that no one else has.
Plus, Fords 460's make GOBS of power and torque. These motors are almost unbelievable.
I could go on and on and on, but I think you guys get the idea of where I'm coming from right now.
Jimbo*
1/2 ton status
Wes, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the highboy's front D60 a low pinion model, and with the switch to lowboy models brought about the D60 high pinion?
Jimbo
Jimbo
atho
1/2 ton status
I was waiting for this to come up, that truck may have a HPD60. Contrary to what thatK30guy said, HP 60's are worth more than GM D60's any day of the week, especially the 78-79 versions, which are easily swappable into other rigs. Such as GM trucks, for instanceJimbo* said:
However, it probably DOESNT have the D60 front. Most of the F250's got the 44, but a rare few got the 60. Might be worth your while to check. THat truck looks pretty clean, if you can get it for $1500 just think that you slightly overpaid for a HP60 and got the rest of the truck free
EDIT: for all of those who want to bash Fords, you can pound sand. I share dd'ing between my buick and my '96 F150 4x4. Yeah, its got the TTB, but its better than GM's IFS. It has the 4.9L six cylinder, and a 5 speed...it will get 20 mpg on the highway, is very comfy, and has some balls down low. Good truck.
Highboy D60's are very, very, very rare. I've never seen one. I've seen a picture of one before, but never seen one under a truck with my own eyes.Jimbo* said:
And yes, these super rare D60's have low pinions.
High pinion D60's, as quoted above, are higher in demand than any other D60. And yes, as you said, the Lowboy began the high pinions. You are correct on your observations, Jim.
