Alright I have 2 questions that are completely non related but in need of answer. So I found this 79 F150 Ranger XLT on craigslist that im looking to buy. I haven't dealt much with the ranger models let alone xlt's since Im only 16 and haven't owned to many trucks yet, other then my 76 f250. So heres my question, Whats the difference between a Ranger model and say a custom or a highboy ?!?! And what does XLT mean and what is it ? Anyone who can tell me all about the Ranger XLTand what i need to know, Please do tell me !... So heres my other question, this truck has a straight 6 300ci in it, and ive personally never heard of them being in the 70's fords, but hey maybe i just havent been around enough. Where the 300's an option in the 70's fords or is this an engine that was possibly dropped in this truck ? Any info about the engine would also be a big help too ... thanks for any help, its appreciated !!!

 

Before you go to look at it order yourself a magazine from BroncoGraveyard. In the back there is a section to help decode the vin numbers to tell you what the truck really is and what the truck should have.

Just a bit of info for you- A 460 in a 4x4 dent cannot be factory. They never came in 4x4s from the factory.

The 300's were available in the dentside trucks and are known to be very good engines.

Ranger is a trim level on our trucks. They are still the same basic truck, just with some options.

A highboy is a VERY specific type of truck. It is a factory lifted F250 with a narrowed rear frame and only of certain years. Many will try to sell you a hackjob lifted F150 as a highboy, but they are imposters. Do a search for the specific criteria for a highboy.

 

The "highboy" (NOT a Ford term btw) dentside is the 73-mid 77 F250 4WD trucks. Three things that help identify a highboy from the later "low boy" is an in-cab fuel tank, a divorced transfer case and the narrower frame.
In a running mid-year change in 1977 they dropped the lift, switched to a married transfer case and had frame mounted fuel tanks.
The 300 six was the base engine in dentsides. Early trucks had the 240 6 cylinder, which is just a destroked 300.
The "Custom" model was the base trim, very few standard items. Next up the ladder was the "Ranger" which had more options as standard and a plusher interior. Top of the line through '77 was the Ranger XLT. Lots of options were standard and the interior was fancy. In 78 the Ranger Lariat was brought out which became top of the line.
Through '76 there were only two engines available in a factory 4WD, the base 300 6 cylinder and the 360 2bbl. The 390 and 460 were never offered in 4WD trucks from the factory.
In '77 the FE engines (360/390) were dropped and replaced by the 351M-400.

 

VIN and Warranty Plate codes can be decoded here on FTE by mikeo0o0o0, myself and etc by using the 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.

Many of these so-called VIN decoders aren't worth two cents, have multiple errors and omissions.

 

Thank you all for this great information, helps out alot !!!

 

The 300 ran from 1965 to 1996, and as mentioned the XLT is simply a trim model; one that is still available today.

Questions you are asking though are very easily answered by doing your own research. Google is your friend, and you'll find that people on forums typically don't want to be answering basic questions that have already been answered already. Search through Google, search through this here forum, do what you gotta do. The answers are there.

Want to know what a Highboy is? Click here.

Want to know technical information about the dentside Ford? Click here.

Want to know the basics of a 300? Click here.

Want to know a whole lot more about the 300? Click here or click here.

The information is out there.

 

Like the others said, custom is very basic. Think fleet truck.

My highboy is a "custom", and it's only option is power brakes Everything else is manual and basic (i.e vinyl floors)


-Jameson