I have a 77 custom 2wd 3 on the tree with the 300 that I am planning on restoring in memory of my dads 78 ranger he had while I was growing up. I have two questions. 1: did the ranger hood emblem say "ranger" and where would I find one. 2: is there anywhere that sells the tailgate trim or world it be easier to just find a tailgate and restore it?

 

No hood emblem or ornament ever said "Ranger", it did say "Explorer".

Truck Parts and Truck Accessories

All kind of Ford truck vendors sale tailgate trim from cheap to $$$.

 

That's all I needed, thank you.

 

Yup, X2. In '77 the only "Ranger" notation was on the glove box inside the cab and on the right and left cowl outside.

 

My dads was a 78-79, so I need to switch the front end. i was told his had a hood emblem, but couldn't find a ranger one, so I was curious as to what one was on it.

 

You do not have to switch the complete front end if you want your 77 to look like your dads 78/79. Just get a 78/79 outer grill shell and one piece insert and the round or square headlight buckets. It is easy to put the newer headlight buckets on the older radiator core support instead of swapping out all that.

What model was his? That way you can figure out if it had the round headlights or square headlights. Just to clarify the square headlights did start on the 78 model trucks. The base and custom package trucks came with the round headlights in 78 and the Rangers, Ranger xlt, and Lariat trucks came with the square headlights.

 

You need a set of those black mag style wheel covers?

 

I was wondering about how easy it would be to switch out the grill. His was a base 78 ranger with the square headlights. I couldn't find a 78-79 with the 300 and 3 on the tree so I picked up a 77 that had all that. I'm thinking about switching out the wheels, but what would you charge me for the wheel covers?

 

Find a used grill shell in a jy and get the outer part, the insert and square headlight bucket assemblies. Reproduction grill shells and inserts are $$$$.

Taking out the side marker lights come removal time will allow you to get and eye in there and see the very top bolt, and get and extension and swivel joint in there.

New reproductions wheel covers are $$$, LMC part # 49-2406 is $179.75 My used OEM ones that are in great shape, are not going to be that much $$.

Truck Parts and Truck Accessories

PM sent, we can work out a deal.

 

Some of the XLT's did have a 3 lions hood ornament but I'm not sure if the 78-79 had them

 

The "Explorer" option had the hood ornament that said EXPLORER, just like in the brochure I attached.

Ford EMBLEMS - 57-79 Truck, 61-67 Econoline list - CG Ford Parts Top Ornament Explorer

Here are some color options and the 3 lion deal.

 

If your dad's truck was a Ranger and had a hood ornament, it's possible he had a Ranger Explorer.
The Explorer was an option package that included specific options and interior trim. The Ranger level trim was the highest trim level you could order and still order the Explorer option too.
The Explorer option wasn't available on the Ranger XLT or Lariat.

 

I will have to ask some family members, last time I rode in that truck I was maybe 12 yrs old so I dont remember it to well. Thank you for all the input, it has helped a ton!

 

Pretty sure I have a Ranger/Explorer hood ornament from a 78'.

 

D8BZ-16850-A (replaced D3AZ-16850-A & B; D7OZ-16850-B) .. Hood Ornament-rectangular shaped - wreath w/three lions encompassed within the plastic emblem / Reproduced

1973/79 F100/350 Ranger XLT & 1978/79 F100/350 Lariat // 1973/78 LTD / 1977/79 LTD II/Ranchero / 1978/79 Fairmont.
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D6TZ-16850-A .. Hood Ornament-wreath with three lions, wreath is on the outside of the plastic emblem / Reproduced

1976/79 F100/350 Ranger XLT & 1978/79 F100/350 Lariat.
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D8TZ-16850-A (replaced D5TZ-16850-A & D6TZ-16850-B) .. Explorer Hood Ornament / Reproduced

1975/79 F100/350 Custom & Ranger with Explorer Package.

All 3 of these hood ornaments are pictured in Carpenter's 1967/79 truck repro parts catalog.