High-End Highboy

Feature

InTheGarageMedia.com

Father and Son Build the Ultimate Old-School Ford F-250

BY Tommy Lee Byrd

PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE AUTHOR

F

ord truck enthusiasts are a passionate group who lead the pack in terms of nicknames for their favorite body styles—Unibody, Bumpside, Dentside, just to name a few. Although less common, another nickname is the “Highboy,” a name that refers to ’67-77 1/2 Ford F-250s, specifically those optioned with four-wheel drive. These trucks naturally sat higher than their two-wheel-drive brothers due to the driveline configuration, earning the name and reputation for hard work. Highboys were rarely recognized for their fit and finish or overall build quality, but a father-and-son from Madisonville, Tennessee, changed that with the restoration of this immaculate ’69 Ford F-250.

This tough-looking Ford came to the Randolph family in 2015 as a rough start, but Chesley could see the potential, as he’s spent many years studying, building, and trading vintage Ford trucks and parts. He always wanted to do a full restoration on a Highboy, and this ’69 popped up in an F-100 Facebook group at just the right time. Chesley’s son, Carter, was young, but the truck would serve as a great way to introduce him to the intricacies of such an in-depth restoration project.

interior and dash inside of a Ford F-250

black leather interior inside of a Ford F-250

Chesley’s goal was to build a Highboy with the classic stance that he remembered from his childhood. Since these trucks featured lift blocks on the rear from the factory, he decided to keep it simple with a set of 1.5-inch lift leaf springs up front. This brought the ride height up to match the 4-inch blocks on the rear. Bilstein shocks control the ride quality, while a ’78-79 F-250 power steering setup offers improved steering performance. The Dana 44 front axle has been upgraded with a finned aluminum cover, and it was converted to ’76 Highboy two-piston disc brakes. Chesley also upgraded the Dana 60 rearend housing to disc brakes using a Lugnut4x4 conversion kit. Assisting the disc brake system is an F-450–style Hydro-Boost system by Power Brake Service.

The truck rolls on a set of stock-appearing steel wheels, which are later-model wheels from the ’90s measuring 16×7. The eight-lug steelies are powdercoated white and feature a set of steel F-250 center caps that have been chrome plated by Atlantic Coast Plating in Athens, Tennessee. The tall and skinny bias-ply tires are STA Super Lug 900-16 from Coker Tire; they measure 36 inches tall, a perfect fit for this high-riding Ford.

Horsepower comes from a 466ci big-block Ford, originally yanked from a ’68 Lincoln. The engine started life as a 460. Roberts & Sons bored the cylinders and prepared the block for new pistons. Chesley handled the engine build in his home shop, using a collection of Melling, Clevite, and Sealed Power components. Roberts & Sons lightly ported the C8VE cylinder heads and Chesley installed a Cam Research camshaft, which features 0.515/546-inch lift. Up top is an Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold and an Edelbrock 750-cfm carburetor. Chesley upgraded the ignition system with a PerTronix distributor and coil and upgraded the cooling system with a Champion aluminum radiator and dual electric fans. A set of Hedman Husler fenderwell headers are ceramic-coated and provide a smooth path for the spent gases as they transition into 3-inch stainless steel pipes and Vibrant Performance resonators. Horsepower for this combination comes in at approximately 430, while estimated torque is at 525 lb-ft.

A CVF serpentine belt system gives the big-block Ford a clean, custom look and made it easy to mount the modern power steering pump and the polished A/C compressor from Vintage Air. The engine features Ford Blue valve covers and a stock-style air cleaner, while polished aluminum components make the engine bay pop. Behind the big-block Ford is a C6 automatic transmission that Chesley rebuilt. He kept it stock but added a Hughes 2,800 stall converter to match up with the camshaft, 4.10:1 gears, and tire size.

When it came to aesthetics, Chesley and Carter went to great lengths to find suitable body panels. Although the Marti Report says that this truck was ordered with a flare side bed, Chesley went with a fleetside bed. In fact, he swapped the entire body from a two-wheel-drive Camper Special to start with solid and straight panels. Chesley stripped the body to the bare metal on a rotisserie and handled the necessary fabrication work to replace the driprail while Gary Denton straightened the panels and prepared them for paint. Denton was also responsible for spraying the R-M single-stage urethane paint, which is mixed in Harbor Blue and from Dennis Carpenter, and Chesley found a nice, original white grille and sent it off for chrome plating in addition to the bully steps, tailgate hardware, and other odds and ends. All body mounting hardware was thoroughly cleaned and zinc-coated for the proper finish.

Inside, there is even more attention to detail, with immaculate trim and paint finishes throughout. The seat upholstery and custom headliner were stitched by Morgan’s Upholstery in Lenoir City, Tennessee, utilizing Moore & Giles leather. Chesley used an ’87-91 F-150 seat for comfort and went with a factory-style steering wheel that was cut down from 17 to 15 inches. The dash features an F-600 gauge bezel, which has been chrome plated and filled with nicely restored factory gauges. Also in the dash you’ll find the factory AM radio has been converted to AM/FM and auxiliary input by R&B Vintage Radio. Vintage Air controls replace the original heater controls, and an underdash vent panel offers the perfect vintage look.

After more than six years of collecting parts and restoring this truck, the result is a Highboy that far exceeds Chesley’s original expectations. It’s a high-end truck that gets attention wherever it goes, whether it’s an F-100 show or the local cruise night. Chesley and Carter spent quality time on this truck, and now it’s time to enjoy the fruit of their labor. The truck was finished just in time for the Grand National F-100 Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and the father and son took home Best in Class against a huge field of trucks. With the support of his wife, Tanya, and help from friends like James Maston and others, the truck reached the finish line. The two-tone Ford stands tall, literally and figuratively, and holds a special place in the Randolph family, thanks to many years of work and the ultimate hands-on experience for a young truck enthusiast following in his father’s footsteps.

Back to issue