Sometimes you see an old truck like this, and you think, that’s a really cool survivor. Unfortunately, being a survivor can also mean that you’ve had to go through some surgeries to get there. Such is the case of the 1973 Ford F-250 Highboy.
This ‘highboy’ isn’t exactly a true Highboy. Or at least the VIN number wouldn’t see it that way. What you see here was once a Ford F-250 4×4 and a F-250 2WD that had been put out to pasture in a field. The 2WD body found its way onto the 4×4 Highboy chassis to create one good truck.
The original 360 V8 was in pretty bad shape so a Ford 390 with a Comp Cams camshaft, Edelbrock heads and a Holley carb to over the engine duties.
The rest of the drivetrain consists of the low-pinion Dana 44HD front axle and Dana 60 rear axle with 4.10 gears, an NP435 4-speed manual and NP205 divorced transfer case. The old Ford gas tank was replaced with one from a Chevy K5 Blazer.
The original Ford steel wheels were wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All Terrains.
The front Warn winch bumper is home to a pair of vintage off-road lights and a Warn M8274 winch featuring synthetic rope and a Factor 55 Ultrahook.
The bed rack has a dog cage built in under the spare tire, and the rack is also home to an ARB tent, Hi-Lift jack, shovel, CB antenna and a row of off-road lights.
The interior is pretty simple with a south-of-the-border blanket for a seat cover, an aftermarket stereo, Uniden CB radio and vintage tachometer.
In a world of modern 4×4 overlanding rigs this bulletproof beast is likely more reliable and will probably outlast the modern day 4×4’s.
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1976 Ford F250 Highboy Overlander
About The Author
Growing up, my father always believed that every family needed a truck—there’s just something about having a vehicle capable of hauling anything at a moment’s notice. That philosophy stuck with me, and it’s been the foundation of my lifelong passion for Ford trucks.
While I’m best known for my work with Ford Rangers, I’ve owned a wide variety of Ford trucks over the years—including F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, and even larger rigs like the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and a 1982 Ford Econoline Sportsmobile camper van. I’ve used these vehicles for everything from family transportation to towing car trailers and campers, and each one has fueled my love for Ford’s versatility and durability.
I especially enjoy the styling of 1970s and 1980s Ford trucks—the bold designs, rugged presence, and classic charm are timeless. Sharing my passion for Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with other enthusiasts online brings me a great deal of joy, and it’s why I created Blue Oval Trucks.
This website is dedicated to helping Ford truck enthusiasts explore, learn about, and celebrate these incredible vehicles. While I share my expertise and experiences here, Blue Oval Trucks is an independent enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.
