Shared by @FordAHLBilt. The timeline and plans reflect the owner’s original account.
Cody’s dad found this 1972 Highboy on eBay in 2013. It was rarely driven and mostly sat until Cody bought it from him. About a year and a half into his own ownership, when he shared the story, it had a different working life.
He knew the build he wanted: a 7.3 Power Stroke, a ZF5 and factory steel wheels with 9.00x16 Super Lugs. Cody had owned Highboys before and was not specifically shopping for another. He wanted this one back on the road, towing and hauling, and he used it that way.
The work and the years behind it
His first Highboy had been a yellow 1967 with another 7.3 swap, though he did not get to finish it. He also owned a lowered crew cab bought in 2017, with work starting in 2019. Asked to choose, he picked the crew cab, with the Highboy close behind. Both sat alongside customer projects at @fordahlbiltfabrication, where he preferred 1967–1972 Fords but worked on a little of everything.
At the time, a four-wheel-drive crew cab and a two-wheel-drive 1972 with 7.3s were in the shop, with two more Highboys due for swaps in a month or so. His own plans included a complete interior redo and possibly removing the body to rebuild, powder-coat and paint the chassis. In the meantime, he intended to keep putting miles on it. Find him at @FordAHLBilt.
Read the owner’s original account and build details
The memories behind the truck
My dad found the truck on eBay back in 2013 and purchased it, it was barely driven and mostly just sat around till I purchased it from him about a year and a half ago then I got busy, 7.3 powerstroke and zf5 swap, factory steelies with 9.00x16 super lugs as well as some other details. I’ve had highboys in the past so it’s nothing new to me, wasn’t really in the market for one but I wanted to put the truck back on the road and use it, I work the truck often towing and hauling. No real hard decisions with the build I knew what I wanted and made it happen 🤘🏻 future plans are to completely redo the interior and possibly pull body off to rebuild/powercoat/paint everything chassis wise. Other then that, keep racking up the miles 🤠
It was a yellow 67, also a 7.3 swap but didn’t get a chance to finish it
Ownership when this account was shared:
Yes I do, I bought that back in 2017, didn’t really start doing anything to it till 2019 tho
Between those and customers 7.3 bumpsides yeah I’ve been busy.
🤣 if I had to choose, crew cab would be it
The highboy ain’t too far behind but if I only had to choose one lol and yeah for the most part! Yeah, we do a little bit of everything but preferably 67-72.
Plans at the time of the story
Of course! I have a 4x4 crew and 2wd 72 here right now with 7.3s, and got 2 highboys coming in a month or so for 7.3s too
From the original story: @fordahlbiltfabrication.
Keep the old Ford story going
Find your kind of truck in our Bumpside 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 Deven’s 1978 Ford: Keeping a Promise to Grandpa.
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