Another Ford 4×4 Highboy? This truck appears to be a real one this time, with an actual 1975 grille! Although in decoding the VIN, it shows a different engine than what the seller says is in here, so it may not be all original. Not that it matters that much when you’re looking for a truck for truck duties. The seller has this one listed here on eBay in Tacoma, Washington, and the current bid price is $8,600.
Sometimes these trucks get pieced together, and it’s hard to tell what’s what, at least for those of us who aren’t PhD Highboy scholars, as some of you are. Decades of experience and knowledge come together for a lot of the Barn Finds family of readers, and it’s impressive to see what many of you know about these trucks. And it can be a bit embarrassing when some of us (me) get stung by not knowing enough details about them and run across a listing that veers off track a bit. The seller says this truck has been owned by the same family since new.
The sixth-generation Ford F-Series was made from 1972 for the 1973 model year until 1979, and the F-250 4x4s known as Highboys were reportedly made until around mid-1977, give or take. This is a familiar seller, and they’ve had a few of these trucks for sale over the recent months. There are only two underside photos of this one, and neither shows the transfer case, but they do some some rust issues underneath. In looking at the frame in the photos of the right rear and right front wheel wells, it’s showing rust there, too. They say the “undercarriage is nice and solid”, it’s wearing most of its original paint, and there is “no visible rust.”
With a new seat cover, this interior looks pretty clean and nice, much nicer than the exterior of the truck looks. There’s only a transfer case stick on the hump, as this one has a three-speed automatic with a column selector. Hagerty is at $12,800 for a #4 fair-condition truck with a 360, just for the record.
The engine decodes to being a 360-cu.in. OHV V8, but the seller says this one is a 390. The 390 wasn’t available in a 4×4 in this era, so unless someone had an in at the factory, I’m assuming this is a replacement, not that there’s anything wrong with that. Power steering and power brakes make this truck easy to drive, and a 390 would have had around 160 horsepower in this era. It’s said to start, run, drive, and shift well. Any thoughts on this ’75 Highboy?
Great looking old Ford. What a truck was meant to be. Best driven with some weight in back.
Lots of these out west. Automatics were rare but a basic trim package and a 4-speed NP-435 were what you would expect. I had a lot of customers who were essentially GM equipped until it came to the cattle-feeding/hunting wagon. That HAD to be an F-250 4×4.
I tuned up a mass of these back in the day. Dual exhaust; Holley 500 2bbl; recurve ignition; install adjustable vacuum advance; install a Bowden cable for the choke. Didn’t make a hot rod but it sure woke them up…
Hiboys only came with 360 v8 options – the 390 would be a replacement motor. There is an additional cross member between the frame rails under the radiator on a real highboy and the frame rails are slightly closer together making for a slightly narrower overall frame measurement. All highboys are F250s but not all Gen 5 & 6 F250s are highboys. Highboys originally were a military spec vehicle sold to the public through dealerships.
You’re absolutely right. All the 390 engines I ever saw in a 4×4 were installed afterwards.
Mmm i like this one! The 360-390 look basically identical, 360 was the truck engine where the 390 was in the cars most seen in Galaxies and LTD, however I do believe you could have gotten a 390 in earlier trucks.
John, the 390 was reportedly not available in the 4WD pickups in this era, but you could get one in a 2WD truck.
Hey Scotty thanks for the spec sheet, I used to memorize them when I was younger, I believe one could have got a 390 in early trucks pre 73 in 4×4 I could be wrong it’s been a long time. There of course were several different 360-390 depending on compression 2/4bbl carbs cylinder wall thickness. I used to know most of the specifics but again it’s been a lot of years.
My ‘76 supercab has a 390
This one sold for $9,200!
I bought it today, actually 11k buy it now to end the auction. Its no doubt a roll of the dice, i spoke to the owner on the phone for a while, we will see. I like it, ive got a few others, but no highboy.
As a work truck, I would prefer the 300 six. Can’t be killed and plenty of pull.
I had same color 77 High boy 4 x 4, 360/ 4 speed. It had main gas tank and two 16 gallon saddle tanks one on each side. It needed all three with my 6 mpg. Loved the truck but could not afford the gas…
Bought this truck today. I will update when i get it. I dont like to buy site unseen but the price was good and out here on the east coast trucks are pretty rotted.
Nice buy Peter I was watching this on eBay, I’m on the east coast and your 100% correct out here that truck would be rotted to the gills, I don’t think you’ll get hurt on this one being the body is so solid and it’s a 4×4, I bet you could turn a fair profit if you sold it out here tomorrow where people can come see it.
Do keep us updated when it arrives, wish you good luck with it!
Will do John, i will have it in a week or so. Thanks