Hello all,

I am the proud new owner of a 1978 Ford 150 Ranger that I believe has the Lariat trim package. I believe I am the third owner of the truck.
Since I bought the truck, I have been online learning as much as I can about the 73-79 Ford Pickup. Before I bought this truck, I was a Square Body guy. Sorry.

Is it true the 1978 was the first year for the Lariat trim package? From the pictures of the 78 Lariats that I have seen online they all have a red Lariat emblem under the F150 Ranger emblem on the cowling. My truck does not have the Lariat emblems on either side of the cowling. It does not appear the emblems were ever there. I do have the Lariat emblem on the glove box. Also, the bench seat material in my truck looks to be what is found in the lower trim packages. It does not have the little emblems and buttons that I have seen in the Lariat pictures I have looked at. The covering on the seat looks to be 47 years old and seems to be original to the truck. But i can't say for sure it's orignal. All the other interior looks to be correct for the Lariat trim package. Wood trim in all the right places. And the two-color door panels with pockets. Back in the day was it possible of the buyer to pick and choose what he/she wanted and were not limited to living by the trim packages? The truck was built in Norfolk.

By no means are these live or death questions. I just learner as much as I can about my old vehicles. Truck history geek.

One of the many cool things on the truck is it still has its Ford installed CB radio.

Thanks for the help.

 

1978 was the first Lariat I have seen. before that it was the XLT.

Your trim code on the door should tell you what it was originally, so much has happened in the last 50 years to these rigs it's hard to say. a Marti Report will tell you everything you need to know to be absolutely sure.

 

X2 Marti Auto report for YOUR truck. https://www.martiauto.com/martireports.cfm

 

I agree. Lariat became available in '78. The '77 brochure only shows Custom, Ranger, and Ranger XLT.

Here's another page from the '78 brochure showing the Lariat emblems on the doors. But I wouldn't overthink it. My '78 F100 (from Norfolk) has the emblems but a cheaper bench seat. My understanding is you could customize several options - or the dealers would make some selections after receiving it from the factory. What's your headliner look like?

 

Take a look at the brochure posted above with "Five Levels of Luxury". Read the Ranger Lariat description. It states that 3 different seat covers were available, in place of the Lariat cloth seat, "at no extra charge". I have no idea what they looked like, a dealer trim catalog may show them.

The Lariat emblems were made of plastic, & were stuck on with double sided tape. It is entirely possible that the emblems deteriorated in 45 + years of exposure to the elements & fell off. They would leave behind no holes for mounting pegs, unlike the other cowl emblems.

In 1977 you could get a Ranger XLT Luxury group, which came with the 78-79 Lariat goodies, as well as a color keyed steering wheel, all wood grain gauge overlay with chrome trim, & brown rub strips in the dent molding, rather than black.

 

Thanks to everyone,

With the information you all gave it answered my questions. I was reading too much into it while missing information. The missing Lariat emblems from the cowling had me confused. They were applied with double side tape. I'm sure they have been missing for years.

 

Thanks for the reminder that the type 6 badges were 2 sided taped on.

 

You have the color keyed green seat belts, which I believe were only available on the Ranger Lariat in 78-79. I'd say the truck was ordered with one of the optional seat styles mentioned in the brochure, & the Lariat emblems deteriorated & fell off or came off for a paint job & were not replaced. Reproductions of the Lariat emblems are available.

Do you have tilt steering? Ford truck tilt is different then chevy truck tilt. Push the turn signal lever towards the dash & see if the wheel tilts. I push closer to the column, not at the very end. You may have to put a little light pressure down on the wheel as you push the lever forward. Your optioned out Lariat may have tilt.