My 1969 Highboy

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Highboy-69
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My 1969 Highboy

Post by Highboy-69 »

Quite a few years ago now my father decided to start a father son project. We began looking at older ford trucks, partly because I was a young ford boy, and because he had memories from collage of a roommate with one. We were newbies to the era, we saw just a few trucks decided we wanted a bumpside and he bought one off our local craigslist. We together worked on small upgrades over the years learning a lot. This sight was our reference.
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The whole time I was still on craigslist all the time rolling, threw looking at ford trucks. Years went by. I got my license and began driving my dad’s 69 (Tiger), then I had to get my own vehicle and an 89 k1500 (My Prius) fell into my hands. Just a few months after that I ran across a 1969 Highboy on craigslist spring 2014 exactly what I had been wanting. I called the guy up scheduled to see it and boy was I freaking out, he had multiple guys interested. This was 1 day after he posted it. Well I went to see it and my mom swore that she knew I would dwindle my savings account. I had been saving money for as long as I can remember for a ford truck. I looked at the truck knowing a lot more than when my dad got his. He really didn’t help me! I didn’t know if it was a good buy, had some character. Hours I spent there. Well I gave an offer and was amazed when I got it. I was the happiest boy in the world.
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I put quite a few tanks of gas threw that highboy, and boy did it do superb in the snow when I would commute to my snow plow job when in 4 wheel. But that was the key the 4 wheel drive. One icy, accident alert, interstate pileup morning I skipped this step. I did fine, till I began to go down a shaded hill when my rear end broke loose. My dad’s never been one to say what if, but he did. The truck has a massive amount of play in the steering assist. It was high on the priority list to fix. But regardless, inexperienced and not prepared for the circumstances I crashed. I went off the road, threw the drainage ditch, threw a privacy fence, and ended in a cluttered shed. The funny part looking back is I was more devastated about my 69 grill than the truck. Mom look, my grill, my perfect grill, I will never find one like it, it was perfect.
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That’s my short story. Where it leaves us is this is my place for information, I read, learn, and spend a massive amount of time on here. I want to contribute back and utilize this massive resource. I spend time looking and reading every day. But finding the parts I need is proving to be difficult. I want to fix my truck right. I will never get rid of this truck, it is my dream are at age 17, and want to restore it right. Rust free, dent free, and mostly original. I am hoping for guidance, advice, and and lead on anything would be great. Thanks for all of your contributions; we will see where this post leads me.
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3West
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by 3West »

If I'm not mistaken, you actually have (had) a '67 grille on your truck. The '68/69 grilles were slightly different in that there is a groove in the middle bar of the grille that is painted red and a center "Ranger" emblem. Either way, I have one of each I will be selling as I have a steel grille I'll be using for my truck. I'll have to get a pic of the '67 grille, but here is a pic of the '69 as it is on the truck right now. If interested, PM me and I'll get some better pics of both grilles.

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Ed
69 F100
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duaneo
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by duaneo »

Welcome! :wel:

What a heartwarming tale with a sad ending. I have no doubt that the folks here will steer you right. Where are you located?

Cheers,
Duane
:fr:
1971 F100 - Ugly on the outside, but purty under the hood...
1968 Chevrolet Impala - Family car since 1970, My car since I was 16, in need of bodywork/paint, but otherwise straight.
2004 Mini Cooper S - Daily driver and grown up go-kart
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Camper Special
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by Camper Special »

:wel:
thanks for sharing.
you can and will find another grill :D
Out of order, I show you out of order. You don't know what out of order is, Mr. Trask. I'd show you, but I'm too old, I'm too tired, I'm too [censored]' blind. If I were the man I was five years ago, I'd take a FLAMETHROWER to this place! Out of order? Who the hell do you think you're talkin' to? I've been around, you know?..And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you are out there, [censored] YOU TOO! - Lt Col. Frank Slade
1972 F100 4x4 Calypso Coral
1970 F250 H/B Harbor Blue
1970 F250 CS Red
1970 F250 H/B Yucatan gold I'm back!
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Calfdemon
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by Calfdemon »

:wel: from SoCal. Sorry to hear about the truck, but it is fixable and there are grilles out there.

3west, that was not a 67 grille. It was definitely a 68 or 69. Only the 69 grilles on the Ranger packages had the red stripe. The rest of the the grilles did not have the stripe. And the indention was only on the 69 grille. The 68 grille looked the same, only it did not have the indention on the center bar. The 67 grille looked totally different. You can see the differences listed here: http://www.fordification.com/tech/67-72ID_01.htm
-Rich

Current toys -
69 Ford F350 Crew Cab - 460 / C6 - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... lqgskp.jpg
31 Ford Vicky - 1955 270 Red Ram Hemi / 4 speed - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... bsibvn.jpg

Former toys -
67 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible (sold 9/13) - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... bird-1.jpg
67 Ford Fairlane GT - 390 / 4 speed (sold 7/15) - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... c5hu8z.jpg
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3West
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by 3West »

I stand corrected. That means I have two '69 grilles. One like on the truck and another Ranger model.
Ed
69 F100
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Calfdemon
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by Calfdemon »

Well, now you know someone looking for one since you posted that they are for sale! :wink:
-Rich

Current toys -
69 Ford F350 Crew Cab - 460 / C6 - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... lqgskp.jpg
31 Ford Vicky - 1955 270 Red Ram Hemi / 4 speed - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... bsibvn.jpg

Former toys -
67 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible (sold 9/13) - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... bird-1.jpg
67 Ford Fairlane GT - 390 / 4 speed (sold 7/15) - http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67 ... c5hu8z.jpg
CrypticRacer13
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by CrypticRacer13 »

Welcome aboard. Hope to see more of this thing
-Mike-
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Build>http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... 22&t=68225
69' F250 Highboy 390ci.,NP435,Dana 24,HPD44,D60
67' Dodge Coronet R/T 440ci.4speed,D60, all numbers correct
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Highboy-69
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by Highboy-69 »

Thanks! So i am back, this wont be a dead thread i just have been busy with other priorities. But I've still been reading online here daily! Pictures will come but with northern Colorado internet problems they will be postponed. But Ive pulled all the chrome off the truck, loosened the bed completely, removed the hitches, started stripping the majority of the interior,and cleaning out old grime. With the big news being i picked up a strait 1968 camper special from Albuquerque New Mexico and its spotless for rust :thup: . Ideally i will use it's cab, and front clip.

My question for you guys is when pulling the bed and cab how do you do this controlled, ect.
Also how easy, or how much body work should i try to do myself? Very new to this topic. Body work and paint and am open to suggestions.
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moonhanger007
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by moonhanger007 »

Just my :2cents: I spent 2 years doing Auto body work, and I'm barely qualified to shoot primer.
Your biggest expense is collecting the necessary tools to do the job correctly, however don't be afraid to experiment, and learn.
The cab is a bit heavy, even striped with the doors off its awkward at best, hopefully you know someone with a backhoe or a forklift,
otherwise its 4 or 5 of your buddies and a 12 pack.
Nice truck, hope you get it back together soon. :thup:
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sargentrs
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by sargentrs »

:wel: from Georgia! You can see how I pulled mine in my build thread, all by myself. A few hairy moments but all in all very doable solo. Good luck!
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
Highboy-69
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by Highboy-69 »

Moonhanger007, So your recommendation it sounds like would try a little bit but really its just easier and quicker turnover to pay someone? I believe me and you have similar experience in the area. I have a skid steer but am worried about where to put the forks, or how to set it all up to not damage the cab...
Sargentrs, I will check that out right now, thanks. Very impressive! I just spent my morning reading through your thread and its very impressive work! The pictures will be great help to me!
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sargentrs
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by sargentrs »

Thanks Highboy! If you have access to a skid steer, run a 4x4 through the windows with a chain around each end or use eye bolts. 2x12 would work too. Nail a couple of 2x4 blocks across it to keep it centered, front to rear. It only weighs about 400#.
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
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moonhanger007
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Re: My 1969 Highboy

Post by moonhanger007 »

Highboy-69 wrote:Moonhanger007, So your recommendation it sounds like would try a little bit but really its just easier and quicker turnover to pay someone? I believe me and you have similar experience in the area. I have a skid steer but am worried about where to put the forks, or how to set it all up to not damage the cab...
Sargentrs, I will check that out right now, thanks. Very impressive! I just spent my morning reading through your thread and its very impressive work! The pictures will be great help to me!

Hope it didn't seem like I was making assumptions about your skills, but I would definitely tackle what you are comfortable with, and know when to tap out.
I'm doing all the prep work on my cab now, but I suck at welding so I'm turning that over to a Pro. It sounds like you are doing a more thorough resto than I am opinions
from the Pros go a long way. In my area we have a few body shops that do great work at a fair price, don't be afraid to get a few bids, you may be surprised.

I didn't get a lot of pics of my cab coming off, but here you can see a 6"
nylon strap through my windows. I attached that to the front bucket of the backhoe
my buddy lifted it while I guided it.

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Good luck
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 30#p689575
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