FAT FENDER GARAGE INTRODUCES NEW SOUTHWEST-INSPIRED 1978 F-250 HIGHBOY DERELICT BADLANDS TRUCK
Premiering at SEMA 2024, New Fat Fender Garage Highboy Grand Canyon Design Is On Display at the Toyo Tires Treadpass
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (Nov. 6, 2024) - Debuting at SEMA, Fat Fender Garage proudly presents a stunningly reimagined derelict desert truck in their new 1978 Ford F-250 Highboy. The Candy Apple red truck retains its original exterior patina while paying tribute to its origins as a rugged ranch and tough work truck in the Arizona Southwest. Tastefully blending classic design with modern innovation, the custom Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy embodies the spirit and heritage of where it was discovered in Arizona's beautiful painted deserts with a rich, bright interior that captures the rustic colors of Arizona. The new Fat Fender Garage truck is highlighted by a Southwestern-inspired cabin, along with a period-authentic dashboard discreetly upgraded with modern mechanical upgrades.
Now on display at the Toyo Tires Treadpass in Las Vegas, the Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy features an elevated cabin allowing its original drivers and passengers stunning views and better visibility. An innovation at the time of production, the higher driving position of the Highboy remains a signature attribute of the F-Series Highboy models. The new Fat Fender Garage Highboy features a commanding stance while wearing black Method Wheels 305s with Toyo A/T III tires.
Commissioned by collectors Avery Sly and Harrison Woodruff, the new Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy was originally built in 1978. First introduced in 1967, the Highboy models gained in popularity by meeting driver demands for a truck capable of handling the rugged terrains of places such as rural Arizona. These trucks were designed to travel overland and on rough roadways as well as trails by way of an enhanced 4WD system that required a divorced transfer case, an additional driveshaft connecting it to the transmission, and a four-inch lift to accommodate the extra hardware.
In 1977, Ford transitioned from a divorced transfer case to a married one, eliminating the need for an additional four-inch lift. While the change allowed the manufacturer to lower the cabin in later models, effectively marking the end of the Highboy era, the idea of lifted trucks endured to present day. 1978 marked the last true factory Highboys, making this special new Fat Fender Garage F-250 a glorious ode to lifted trucks.
Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy Owner Avery Sly comments, "We discovered this truck in rural Arizona and immediately saw its potential as the quintessential desert truck. At the time, the floors were rusted out and it couldn't hold third gear, but the Higboy's background as an iconic work truck inspired us. This Highboy worked decades in the roughest terrains with no issues. We wanted to honor its rugged past, so we chose custom interiors and touchpoints with that Arizona desert history in mind while leaving the exterior as original as possible. This included leaving the exterior patina that the truck developed over decades untouched in honor and memory of its impressive run as a ranch truck that truly stood the test of time. My vision was to build a truck that pays tribute to the state I've called home for over a decade and that it has called home for its entire 46-year life."
Designed as an homage to Arizona's vibrant, colorful desert sunrise to sunset landscapes, Fat Fender Garage developed a fully custom interior that is simultaneously rugged and quietly luxurious, craftily punctuated by high-quality materials that don't distract from the original intent. A focal point is the saddle brown distressed Italian leather from Apex Leather's upcoming Infinity Series. As one of the world's first vehicles to showcase the material, the unique leather offers a rich, vintage feel while adding depth and warmth to the one of a kind saloon.
The bench seat, door panels, and sun visors are upholstered with Pendleton Grand Canyon fabric inserts which not only add a brilliant visual touchstone but also a narrative element, representing Arizona's striking desert sunsets with hues of blue, burnt orange, and earthy tones. This fabric was carefully chosen to reflect the truck's deep connection to Arizona, blending the color and vibrancy of the landscape into the interior. Fat Fender Garage customized the seating with bolstered foam and leather-wrapped details for modern day driving.
The interior flooring features Ultra Blue square-weave carpet from Apex Leather. The deep blue square weave complements the leather and Pendleton accents, bringing together a cohesive, vibrant interior aesthetic that also delivers durability. Underneath everything, a SoundShield membrane has been applied throughout to provide thermal and acoustic insulation, ensuring a quieter cabin experience while also keeping the truck warm in winter and cool in summer. Also a must in the desert, Fat Fender Garage installed an industry-leading Gen-5 Vintage Air A/C into the dashboard to keep the classic look of the Highboy's interior preserved.
Further accentuating the desert aesthetic, Fat Fender Garage integrated custom burl walnut wood inserts on the door panels, thoughtfully crafted and stained to match the original glovebox. The Fat Fender Garage billet aluminum window cranks and CNC-cut door and kick panels quietly add a modern edge. Fat Fender Garage removed all the original plastic with brand new foam and leather-wrapped padding. Completing the design are custom floor mats and a matching interior cleaning bag crafted from the very same high-quality materials featured in the rest of the cabin.
"Arizona inspired us to restore a vehicle just as majestic and rugged as the desert landscapes where we found it basking there in the sun," says Harrison Woodruff, co-owner of the Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy. "This truck is a tribute to desert trucks and a celebration of the absolutely spectacular Grand Canyon region where we restored it and brought the vehicle back to life. What we found so interesting in restoring this truck is that the exterior and interior express two different sides of the same story of its life out on a ranch in the Arizona badlands not far from the Grand Canyon. We preserved the original patina and beautiful textures of the exterior earned over decades of work while completely reimagining the interior for modern day driving."
The original 1978 F-250 Highboy engine was replaced with a rebuilt Lincoln 460 7.5-liter V8, well-regarded for its considerable torque output. The Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy also features a custom exhaust system to improve exhaust flow and engine efficiency, while delivering a growling roar to the V8 powerplant with 245 horsepower. The fuel system received a significant upgrade with the installation of a Boyd fuel cell, replacing the original fuel tank. An Edelbrock EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) kit was engineered to ensure dependable, increased performance and further improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
The new Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy's drivetrain and suspension systems were also extensively upgraded. The original NP205 transfer case was rebuilt to ensure reliable power distribution to all four wheels. Front and rear Dana 60 axles from a 2022 Super Duty truck were installed, providing plenty of modern day brawn for exploring Arizona's backcountry roads and desert trails. The axles are outfitted by new shock brackets specifically engineered to fit Dana 60 axles, ensuring the vehicle's suspension is ready for anything.
The addition of Fox performance shocks further increases the vehicle's off-road capabilities, offering exceptional on and off road force absorption. A set of Battle Born Brakes significantly enhance overall stopping power. Other on board improvements include Red Head steering gears along with new hoses and fittings, adding power steering for daily driving. To further accommodate modern day driving experiences, the entire electrical system has been meticulously refitted with an American Auto Wire system, ensuring that all electrical components function reliably.
Now on display at SEMA at the Toyo Tires Treadpass, the new Fat Fender Garage F-250 Highboy is priced at $95,000.
About Fat Fender Garage: Based in Gilbert, Arizona, Fat Fender Garage is a premier design and restoration firm specializing in bespoke restorations of vintage and classic trucks and 4x4 vehicles. FFG offers period-correct restorations and custom restomods, as well as fully reimagined hot rod builds. For more information, please visit www.fatfender.com or call (480) 621-6072.
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