The timeline and plans reflect the owner’s original account.
Butch had used a refreshed 1973 F-100 to move from Arizona back to Oregon, but his Oregon home called for four-wheel drive. A Craigslist search in 2022 led to a 1975 near his uncle. His uncle checked it first and found a solid base. Butch agreed it needed work. The hoped-for drive over the pass became a trailer ride home.
Getting it drivable grew into a major rebuild, especially after replacing the full-time transfer case with a divorced NP205. More than 100 pounds of farm dirt came off it. Butch learned that the truck had worked on one of Oregon’s largest strawberry farms and bought it from a nephew who had recovered it after it left the family.
The work and the years behind it
Small scratches in the cab made him think of the family’s children, though that was his guess. Keeping the exterior cleaned up but unchanged respected that history. Axles, brakes, steering, wiring and planned drivetrain work are detailed in his account. His original target was spring 2026. This story preserves that goal without claiming that the work has since been completed.
Read the owner’s original account and build details
Find him on Instagram: @service_highboy
Truck year:
1975.
Ownership when this account was shared:
Since 2022.
It had to be a Ford, and it had to be 4x4.
The memories behind the truck
Back when I lived in Arizona, I bought a ’73 F-100, refreshed the motor, and used it to move back to Oregon. But where I live now, 4x4 is a must. One day I randomly searched Craigslist and spotted this truck for sale in the valley near my uncle’s place. I had him check it out, and he said it was solid. When I went to see it myself, it was definitely a solid base — but also needed some love. Originally, I planned to drive it back over the pass, but that wasn’t happening. I trailered it home and started tearing into it. What began as making it “drivable” snowballed fast — especially after swapping the full-time transfer case for an NP205 divorced case.
Build details, in the owner’s words
Oh, the list is long!
Fully rebuilt NP205 divorced case.
Cleaned and removed over 100 lbs of farm dirt, then coated the frame and undercoated the cab and utility box with Raptor Liner.
Swapped the front Dana 44HD for an open knuckle, rebuilt it, and added a Lugnut brake kit.
Rebuilt the Dana 60 rear with a Detroit locker, 4.10 gears, Yukon chromoly axle shafts, and another Lugnut brake kit.
New shocks and hardware front to rear.
Refurbished all the utility box compartments and coated them.
Benchwork steering conversion kit.
Cab is going back together with a Painless wiring harness, Dakota Digital cluster, and Battle Born Brakes F600 booster with aluminum master cylinder and stainless hard/soft lines.
Planned 6R80 transmission (waiting to be rebuilt) adapted to the 390, which I’ll also rebuild.
Aluminum radiator, Holley Sniper 2, and an in-tank pump in a new Aero high-volume rear tank.
Plans at the time of the story
Get it back on the road by spring 2026 and enjoy driving it everywhere I can.
More from the owner
I found out this truck was once used on one of the largest strawberry farms in Oregon. I bought it from one of the nephews who got it back from whoever it had been sold to. Inside the cab, there are little scratches that I’m guessing came from kids in the family. That history is part of why I’m keeping the exterior as-is — just cleaned up. It’s about honoring its past while making it a great runner for daily driving.
From the original story: @service_highboy.
Keep the old Ford story going
Find your kind of truck in our Dentside merchandise, or choose a year’s front end from the Grille Series.
Visit Highboy University for truck guides. Read Ford Highboy Engine Swaps: 7.3 Power Stroke, Cummins & 460, then meet the people behind Jeffrey’s 1972 Ford: A Tow Truck and a Mentor’s Name.
Your truck belongs in this community, too. Share your truck story and photos.
