Decided to start this thread to document the progress on my latest acquisition. I grew up in a Landcruiser household. Built a 73’ FJ40 with 5.3LS/H55 when I was in high school and daily drove it throughout college. I enjoyed it for what it was but quickly outgrew it, so I sold it. Needed more room, bed space, and some towing capacity for the next stage of life. At the time, I had a friend in college was a fan of old Fords who grew my appreciation for them. I stumbled upon Highboy Crew Cabs and realized they met all my needs, so the hunt began.
It was quite the saga tracking one of these down, much different beast than a cruiser. These were work trucks that were typically beat hard and put away wet. The ones that are left are either rusty, going for outrageous money, or both. I lost several deals due to rude sellers, undisclosed issues, bondo specials, and buyers coming out from under me and offering double asking price at the final hour. Think mopar hype, but for a truck.
I met the seller when he posted about purchasing a white 76 highboy crew with 428/4 speed after several years. I messaged him and got his number. He wasn’t looking to sell but we worked out a price and agreed to buy it after seeing the truck on FaceTime. Wired funds and get a call later claiming he forgot to mention the engine has been knocking and front axle makes a noise on full lock. He says he doesn’t want to sell it to me in that condition and refunds me. Looking back, I think it was just sellers remorse, he was very attached to it.
Then I saw this truck posted on a Facebook group in southern Oregon. Another seller had posted that he was on the fence about selling so I reached out. Said he would think about it and took my number down. Reached out a month later, still not ready.
A month later, I get a call from the seller who backed out of our deal on the white 76 highboy. Says he bought another truck and wants to make it right with me after our last deal went sour. Turns out it was the same truck listed in southern Oregon. I get on FaceTime and inspect the truck, everything checked out. Sent the funds, got the title shipped, and sent transport.
Here is what I got:
-1975 Crew Cab Highboy (F26 chassis-Factory 4x4)
-All original paint (Sequoia Brown), just need an original paint 73-79 tailgate if someone has one
-360V8 w/ NP435 4-speed (Possibly 390, need to measure stroke)
-Dana 60 closed knuckle front and Dana 60 rear
-Factory power assist steering
-Minimal rust, cab is very clean, front pans were done as part of the purchase agreement (2 small spots under rear taillights from dirt getting kicked up over the years)
-Optioned with Orange Tape stripes (received an NOS set included in the deal)
It was quite the saga tracking one of these down, much different beast than a cruiser. These were work trucks that were typically beat hard and put away wet. The ones that are left are either rusty, going for outrageous money, or both. I lost several deals due to rude sellers, undisclosed issues, bondo specials, and buyers coming out from under me and offering double asking price at the final hour. Think mopar hype, but for a truck.
I met the seller when he posted about purchasing a white 76 highboy crew with 428/4 speed after several years. I messaged him and got his number. He wasn’t looking to sell but we worked out a price and agreed to buy it after seeing the truck on FaceTime. Wired funds and get a call later claiming he forgot to mention the engine has been knocking and front axle makes a noise on full lock. He says he doesn’t want to sell it to me in that condition and refunds me. Looking back, I think it was just sellers remorse, he was very attached to it.
Then I saw this truck posted on a Facebook group in southern Oregon. Another seller had posted that he was on the fence about selling so I reached out. Said he would think about it and took my number down. Reached out a month later, still not ready.
A month later, I get a call from the seller who backed out of our deal on the white 76 highboy. Says he bought another truck and wants to make it right with me after our last deal went sour. Turns out it was the same truck listed in southern Oregon. I get on FaceTime and inspect the truck, everything checked out. Sent the funds, got the title shipped, and sent transport.
Here is what I got:
-1975 Crew Cab Highboy (F26 chassis-Factory 4x4)
-All original paint (Sequoia Brown), just need an original paint 73-79 tailgate if someone has one
-360V8 w/ NP435 4-speed (Possibly 390, need to measure stroke)
-Dana 60 closed knuckle front and Dana 60 rear
-Factory power assist steering
-Minimal rust, cab is very clean, front pans were done as part of the purchase agreement (2 small spots under rear taillights from dirt getting kicked up over the years)
-Optioned with Orange Tape stripes (received an NOS set included in the deal)