Trim levels explained
Custom
No side trim, grey grille, grey headlight surround, round headlights.
Ranger
Thin upper bodyside mouldings, grey grille, grey headlight surrounding rectangle headlights
Ranger XLT
Wide upper body side mouldings with vinyl inserts, tailgate panels, chrome grill, chrome headlight surrounding rectangle headlights.
Lariat
Not sure but similar to XLT with fancier tailgate panel
and lariat markings.Race Track mouldings standard equipment on 1977/79 Ranger XLT & 1978/79 Lariat.
1973/77's have round headlamps, as do 1978 Customs. 1978/79 Ranger/Ranger XLT, Lariat & 1979 Customs (except fleet) have rectangular headlamps.
Custom
No side trim, grey grille, grey headlight surround, round headlights
Ranger
Thin side trim, grey grille, grey headlight surrounding rectangle headlights
Ranger XLT
Wide trim, taillight panel, chrome grill, chrome headlght surrounding rectangle headlights.
XLT Lariat
Not sure but similar to XLT with fancier tailgate panel and lariat markings.
I still have a factory brochure from when I bought my 78 ranger new.
If there are more questions i will try to dig it out.
Custom: Round Headlights were 78 only,
the 79 model had the rectangular headlights on all trims.
Ranger Lariat : had the Race track trim with or without Tu Tone option,
all other trims from 77-79 got the race track with the Tu tone option.
the tailgates to the best of my knowledge were as fallows:
Custom: no trim, painted embossed letters
Ranger(78-79): Adds thin upper & lower trim & Tail light bezel.
Ranger(73-77), Ranger XLT (78-79): Adds FORD plaque
Ranger XLT(73-77),Ranger Lariat(78-79): Adds wide black & chrome upper trim.
Free wheeling & Pace truck Had The Orange FORD plaque.




