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I agree with others, check the frame VIN to see if it matches the door. There should also be sticker opposite the door tag on the cab that shows the VIN. Ideally all three match, but the one that matters is the frame VIN. You should be able to see one of them in the engine bay, passenger side, top of frame rail. There is another located under the cab on the frame but you can't see that one as easy.
Given the dual tank setup, grill, hood and bumper I would guess a '79 model, possible '78 since those came with same grill and hood, but some had round headlights, and others had square headlights.
If they did swap for 78/79 grill when they painted, why didn't they paint or replace the bezels around the headlights? Seems odd, they would go to all the trouble to repaint, weld in gas doors, apply hood letters and re-use faded headlight bezels.
I am leaning more towards the driver's door was swapped at some point, than all the other things were swapped to make it look like a '79.
Do you have any pictures of the interior? That can provide some clues too such as seat belts, steering wheel, and a few other minor details.
Color code S is bright dark blue metallic. Not red. It's not the tag that goes with that truck. Buyer beware. If they're selling that as a 77, it's likely they're selling a tag and title, which doesn't go with that truck. It appears to have all the makings of a 78/79 with the wrong tag.
$27k is what they are asking for that? No way...not based on what I see. Bent bumper up front, not mounted very well bumper in rear. Faded headlight bezels. Over-spray on the door tag that doesn't match the rest of the truck. Surface rusted frame.
Well here goes..... I think it is/was a late year built 1977 or you at least have a 1977 DOOR.....anyway you might (big might) get the common 78/79 grill shell and one piece grill insert in real late made 1977, but I doubt it. It is a Ranger XLT so it could of came with square (actually rectangle) headlights in 78. I do not think you could get that in late 77. If it is a true 77 then they swapped the grill shell, bumper, hood and bed and then you get a bed side tool box.
FYI "Also 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."
X1000 I would REALLY make sure the Warranty Tag (on the door) vin matches the dvrs side B pillar Safety Certification (white sticker) vin. AND get in the engine compartment or take a snake camera in the passenger side fenderwell and look at the passenger side top of the frame rail stamped vin. Yes just about inline with the exhaust manifold.
You might be able to find/see the other one on the top of the passenger side frame rail about in line with the fwd seat slider bolt, with a insp mirror. Another way to also is check is to measure the rear leaf springs to be either 3" wide 778/79 or if a 73-77 they will be 2 1/4 wide. Then you have a whole different franken truck going on.
That truck does not look like a 77 in many ways. Already mentioned grill shell, insert and 78/79 bumper. Rectangle headlights, bed fill neck gas flaps. Hood has FORD that is a 78/79 deal yes, that same hood will fit a 73-77.
27K gets you a bent front bumper and 4 random holes in it. I bet that bumper HAD a aftermarket push bar on it at one time. Grill shell is dented on the dvr side leading/fwd edge and on the passenger side also. Bent antenna. Eyelet bed tie downs, still installed in the top of the bed. During body work to repaint great time to remove them. Not even any chrome center caps or lug nuts. Exhaust exits under truck/looks to short. Looks like a D44 front axle, so not even a Dana 60 front axle. I can see dents in the passenger side of the bed (in 2 places) and the dvr side bed race trac L connector chrome looks to show signs of being bent. Bent/rolled aftermarket drop style rear bumper. At least the front end under side looks like they did NOT just blast chassis black all over it to cover up the oil on the front diff.
They did a good job masking off the Warranty plate for the repaint and it has the OEM attachment rivets. Hope they did that to the Cert sticker also. I am trying to not be picky, just hope you end up with a solid truck that is really worth 27K. But it has what you want, so go for it and enjoy.
.... and this one is prefect - AC, Manual, Two Tone, 4X4, fuel tank not in cab - (except for the square lamp IMO)
You know you can change out the outer grill shell to a 76-77 and get the 2 piece inserts. Along with the round headlights/buckets and the proper 73-77 front bumper. Then get a old school flat style bug guard to cover the FORD on the hood so you are not double FORD'ing it. Then it will be 100% perfect. Post a live link to the truck (I could not find it on the Worldwide web site), in their for sale or sold archives.
All of this has been very helpful. I cant thank all of you enough for the information. I will sleep on it and make a decision. Rest assured if not this one I’ll have one soon.
There are some very nice ones out there, and there are some that are just as much $ wise, but not as nice under the fresh paint. Good luck with that ever route you take and keep us posted. If you locate another one, post a live link and you can get all sorts of eyes on it and the follow on opinions.
I would be hesitant to purchase one of these trucks from a dealer without inspecting in in person. Too many horror stories these days.
On a side note, a non highboy ‘77 would absolutely have the filler doors on the bed. The exposed gas caps were ‘76 and back. If everything else matches it is probably a grille swapped 77. That was and is a very common swap.
In addition to everything else that has been said ,. the rear bumper is a bent junk aftermarket one . exhaust dumps out under bed that's great. paint looks like a recent cheap job that's scary.
Even if you are willing to overlook the flaws it's nearly certain the door tag isn't original to the pickup. so getting the real serial number and a Marti Report would be the only way to know what it is. finding out if it's stolen would be a good idea too.
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