XLT vs custom differences
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
I have one of the 79 sales brochures, the actual hard copy. As far as I know that sums it up.
I think all the trucks above a custom or ranger had a locking hood latch as well.
I think all those had the chrome grille and head light bezels chromed as well, not so on the custom. I have seen a lot of the XLTs that had the silver backing for the gauge cluster instead of the more common black, but not for sure on that.
All XLTs or Lariats I've seen had a nicer radio too. I can E mail you some detailed pics of my ranger lariat 4x4 f350 reg cab if you want.
I think all the trucks above a custom or ranger had a locking hood latch as well.
I think all those had the chrome grille and head light bezels chromed as well, not so on the custom. I have seen a lot of the XLTs that had the silver backing for the gauge cluster instead of the more common black, but not for sure on that.
All XLTs or Lariats I've seen had a nicer radio too. I can E mail you some detailed pics of my ranger lariat 4x4 f350 reg cab if you want.
Intermittant (delay) wipers introduced in 1973, Speed control in 1975, tilt steering wheel introduced in 1978, optional for all models (not available with 3 speed M/T).
There are no chrome grilles, they're anodized aluminum. the four different types of 1978/79 grille inserts are plastic, the headlamp doors are chromed plastic.
AM radio was an option, so was AM/clock, AM/FM monaural and AM/FM multiplex stereo.
Customs do not have windshield reveal mouldings.
Trailer Special introduced in 1973: Available for F250's & 140" wheelbase F350's. Trailer Special package available for 1978/79 F150/Bronco, 1976/79 Econoline.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 748
Likes: 28
"Heavy duty trailer towing package:
Good for towing up to 6,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty alternator,heavy duty battery, HD rear shocks, bigger radiator, rear sway bar, swing out recreational mirrors, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, HD front springs, external oil cooler and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate."
No rear sway bar or external oil cooler.Everything else, 79 Trailer Special
Good for towing up to 6,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty alternator,heavy duty battery, HD rear shocks, bigger radiator, rear sway bar, swing out recreational mirrors, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, HD front springs, external oil cooler and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate."
No rear sway bar or external oil cooler.Everything else, 79 Trailer Special
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 101
From: darlington
headliner
There is a truck around me rotting to the ground 2 wheel drive,he has the button headliner chrometrim,I offered to buy his headliner,he said he didnt want to part it out,wants 1000 for whole truck,id give what the yard would give for scrap,,it does have decent bed, motor 351m hasnt started in forever...I never looked at the bench seat I imagine it has the diamond buttons as the headliner/ chrome around the interior door panels
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, Idaho
Here is a link to the 79 Ford sales brochure.
1979 Ford Pickups Dealer Brochure - First Printing (7/78)
1979 Ford Pickups Dealer Brochure - First Printing (7/78)
This is better than buying the brochures off eBay.
To keep this site up, I made a donation. Make a PayPal Donation - FORDification.com
If we all chip in a little he'll be around for some time to keep the docs available for all Ford truck owners.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
"Heavy duty trailer towing package:
Good for towing up to 6,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty alternator,heavy duty battery, HD rear shocks, bigger radiator, rear sway bar, swing out recreational mirrors, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, HD front springs, external oil cooler and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate."
No rear sway bar or external oil cooler.Everything else, 79 Trailer Special
Good for towing up to 6,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty alternator,heavy duty battery, HD rear shocks, bigger radiator, rear sway bar, swing out recreational mirrors, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, HD front springs, external oil cooler and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate."
No rear sway bar or external oil cooler.Everything else, 79 Trailer Special
I assume you know you can flip the mirror heads over, then pull them out for a greater range of vision.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
To keep this site up, I made a donation. Make a PayPal Donation FORDification.com
If we all chip in a little he'll be around for some time to keep the docs available for all Ford truck owners.
If we all chip in a little
he'll be around for some time to keep the docs available for all Ford truck owners.
They claim info is from Ford parts catalogs, it ain't! It's from the awful POS Red Book sold in book stores that's been an abomination since first introduced in the 1970's.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, Idaho
I wouldn't donate a cent. Their 1973/79 VIN & Warranty Plate decoding info is rife with errors and omissions.
They claim info is from Ford parts catalogs, it ain't! It's from the awful POS Red Book sold in book stores that's been an abomination since first introduced in the 1970's.
They claim info is from Ford parts catalogs, it ain't! It's from the awful POS Red Book sold in book stores that's been an abomination since first introduced in the 1970's.
But have you talked to him about making improvements? Maybe he's open to fixing the errors?
My apologies if I stepped into some history here. Not trying to make enemies.
It just looked like a great place to get info.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock, CO
Being you're a guru on the site, it's not my place to say.
But have you talked to him about making improvements? Maybe he's open to fixing the errors?
My apologies if I stepped into some history here. Not trying to make enemies.
It just looked like a great place to get info.
But have you talked to him about making improvements? Maybe he's open to fixing the errors?
My apologies if I stepped into some history here. Not trying to make enemies.
It just looked like a great place to get info.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 968
Likes: 5
From: Corbett, Oregon
As I remember, the padded door panels on the XLT required a window crank. It had a longer housing to reach the regulator splines. A regular crank can be made to work but it puts quite a bit of strain on the door panel upholstery.
Also, I believe the background on the instrument cluster was silver on the '79 where it was black on the '78 and earlier trucks.
One thing for sure...Trim packages changed year to year. Just 'cause a '78 had a specific item didn't mean a '79 would also have it.
Roger Carter
Also, I believe the background on the instrument cluster was silver on the '79 where it was black on the '78 and earlier trucks.
One thing for sure...Trim packages changed year to year. Just 'cause a '78 had a specific item didn't mean a '79 would also have it.
Roger Carter
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
About 6 months ago, an FTE member bought a 1978 Frankenstein monster, used Fordification's 1973/79 decode charts.
It was so wrong, it was laughable. Another FTE member used the same fracatta charts to help the OP out, it was worse!
When all was said and done, the decode I gave the OP from the 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog matched the VIN & Warranty Plate codes.
Since 11/2006, I've decoded over 1,000 VIN's, Rating/Warranty Plate and Certification Label codes for FTE members, why?
Because FTE, LMC and Fordifications info is CRAP, rife with errors and omissions, as it's all from the POS Red Book.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
D3AZ-6523342-A .. Window Crank Handle, includes clear ****.
1973 F100/350 / 1974 F100/350 before serial number U80,001 / Myriad 1973/79 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars.
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D4TZ-1023342-A .. Window Crank Handle, includes black ****, has depressed rings and step-down center.
1974 F100/350 from serial number U80,001 / 1975/76 F100/350 / 1977/79 F100/350 except 1977/79 Ranger XLT, except 1978/79 Lariat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D4OZ-6523342-A .. Window Crank Handle, includes clear ****.
1977/79 F100/350 Ranger XLT / 1978/79 F100/350 Lariat // 1974/76 Torino Elite.
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