Ford’s Most Iconic Lifted Truck Got Its Stance From A Cheap Engineering Workaround
Admit it, you still get excited when you see lifted pickups, including everything from monster trucks built for wild jumps and destruction to an old square body with purely cosmetic styling. The most famous seemingly factory-lifted Ford truck was actually created by accident and wasn’t built high for its looks. It faced issues that engineers had to quickly solve. But that doesn’t matter. People still spend thousands in an attempt to replicate that insane lift that is attributed to a cheap workaround.
Ford Engineers Ran Into A Problem
In the late 1960s, one of the most popular Ford trucks suddenly faced a surge in demand for off-road capabilities. The large pickup had robust V8 engines with tons of low-end torque for towing and hauling. It was originally built for farmers, loggers, and ranchers to get work done, but there was a growing demand by adventurers for camping and off-roading on weekends.
But engineers faced budget constraints and a limited timeline for transforming the popular 2WD truck into a 4×4 model. Redesigning the entire transmission and drivetrain for 4×4 production was way too expensive. However, there was a drivetrain mismatch; the 2WD transmission lacked a built-in output to spin the front axle.’
To work around the frame restrictions affordably, Ford had no choice but to go taller. Going up in height doesn’t seem like a bad move for off-roading, as you get more ground clearance for clearing obstacles and create space for larger tires. But not everything with the workaround went smoothly.
The solution had a few problems that wouldn’t be solved until over a decade later. Enthusiasts continue to mistake the high stance for a factory lift, as the style remains highly sought after. In reality, the truck had to get taller to become more functional.
The Ford F-250 Highboy Was Accidentally Born
The Ford F-250 Highboy refers to F-250 models built between 1967 and 1977 with a high stance that sits well above standard trucks. However, “Highboy” is an unofficial term used by enthusiasts who celebrate its lifted look. It’s unclear where the term originated, but it’s here to stay as the factory lift remains wildly popular.
The truck has a transfer case mounted directly to the frame instead of bolted to the back of the transmission, which requires an intermediate driveshaft. So, Ford engineers mounted a divorced transfer case placed further back. The driveshaft connecting to the front axle ran under the front bumper and needed more room under the cab, so Ford was forced to raise the body.
After the front end was raised to make space for suspension components and a crossmember, it needed to be leveled. So, Ford added a higher factory suspension and four-inch lift blocks on rear springs, causing the 4×4 truck to sit about 5.24 to 5.6 inches higher than the two-wheel drive models and 2.58 to 2.77 inches higher than the F-100 4×4. The truck also rides on heavy-duty parts such as Dana 44 front axles.
F-250 Highboy Trucks Had A Few Problems
Despite having a few problems, the design of the Ford F-250 Highboy was there to stay for years. Due to the higher center of gravity, this tall behemoth was never offered with the Camper Special package. A higher center of gravity increases the risk of body roll around corners, adding danger to emergency maneuvers.
It simply has an unacceptable rollover risk when carrying slide-in campers, which limits its usefulness for adventurers. Plus, the package was specifically designed for heavy-duty, two-wheel-drive trucks with a lower stance built to properly handle the extra weight of campers.
Larger tires also lead to increased stopping distances, which adds strain to the factory front drum brakes. This is a common problem among 250 Highboy trucks from the 1970s. Also, a higher truck leads to higher entry points. These trucks didn’t come with running boards, but drivers could add aftermarket steps to help navigate the 7.5 to 8.5 inches of ground clearance to climb over.
The height impacts the lift-over height as well. Loading heavy items into taller truck beds can make things a little difficult. But at 5’1″, reaching over the sides of a truck bed and having to climb in has always been a struggle. Luckily, modern Ford trucks have bed steps.
The Ford Lowboy Took Things Down A Notch
The Ford F-250 Lowboy is a classic truck that also has an unofficial nickname. It marks the end of the Highboy era in 1977, when the pickup truck got a production change in the middle of the year. The divorced transfer case was replaced by a married transfer case bolted directly to the back of the transmission. This shortened the overall drivetrain and suspension setup, eliminating the need to lift the body for higher clearance.
Also, the 33.5-inch-wide Highboy frame was widened to 37 inches under the cab and rear, but the Lowboy kept the 34-inch width up front. The in-cab auxiliary or main fuel tank was also moved from behind the front seat to under the bed floor. Then Lowboy models transitioned from using low-pinion closed-knuckle Dana front axles to high-pinion open-knuckle Dana 44 or 60 front axles.
People are willing to spend thousands to recreate the Highboy look even though Ford was eager to move on from it. It didn’t sit high for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons. The taller truck serves the purpose of being more capable of adventuring instead. That said, buyers should watch out for fakes that capitalize on the style.
Legitimate F-250 Highboy trucks sell for between $10,000 and over $90,000, depending on condition and quality. Scammers may try to lift older models, so make sure your 250 model has a separately mounted transfer case, a 33.5-inch frame width, and a fuel tank that sits inside the cab behind the front seat for authenticity.
Source: Ford, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Hagerty
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments