Ranger Verses Explorer- what the diff?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Yelm, Washington
Ranger Verses Explorer- what the diff?
Hey there guys/gals (want to be polically correct).I used to have a lifted '76 F150 4x4 pickup with a 3" lift, single cab, standard bed. It had a bored out 360 with RV cams, automatic trans. This truck was an Explorer.
I now have a '77 F150 4x4 pickup with original everything including the 400 rebuilt engine. Automatic but had the transmission rebuilt with shift kit. Single cab with standard bed. This truck is an Ranger.
What is the big difference. Not to sound stupid, but is this the same as the XLT and just the XL's?
Thanks for any replys- This is the Fordfilly!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I'm not sure of the exact differences, but in 1977
The Custom was the XL version
The Ranger was XLT verion
The Ranger XLT was the Lariat version.
This is like comparing the old with the new.
Jimmy
The Custom was the XL version
The Ranger was XLT verion
The Ranger XLT was the Lariat version.
This is like comparing the old with the new.
Jimmy
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
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From: NE Texas
Originally posted by LxMan1
The Ranger was XLT verion
This is like comparing the old with the new.
Jimmy
The Ranger was XLT verion
This is like comparing the old with the new.
Jimmy
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Yelm, Washington
I know that the Explorer had a custom paint job but it did have a cool hood ornament that said "Explorer" on it and it had no chrome strips down the sides.
My '77 Ranger has Chrome strips (that hold on to all the fir needles and mud it can find). I'm thinking of having them removed to get a clean straight body look. Not sure I'll like the cost of having the fasteners or holes fixed when I remove the chrome, but I think it will look cleaner. Possible custom paint job but not sure.
Thanks ya'll!
My '77 Ranger has Chrome strips (that hold on to all the fir needles and mud it can find). I'm thinking of having them removed to get a clean straight body look. Not sure I'll like the cost of having the fasteners or holes fixed when I remove the chrome, but I think it will look cleaner. Possible custom paint job but not sure.
Thanks ya'll!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,371
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From: Green Springs, OH
My truck used to be a xlt ranger and now it is all smoothed out I agree the trim just holds moisture and everything else I think the trucks just look better with the smooth body lines.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Yelm, Washington
I did type in Explorer in the search and it seems to be confused since Ford makes a different "Explorer" now then they did back then. The one I'm talking about is the pick-up truck and not the newer version of a small bronco.
Maybe I just searched wrong.
Maybe I just searched wrong.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
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From: NE Texas
Originally posted by jschaible
I did type in Explorer in the search and it seems to be confused since Ford makes a different "Explorer" now then they did back then. The one I'm talking about is the pick-up truck and not the newer version of a small bronco.
Maybe I just searched wrong.
I did type in Explorer in the search and it seems to be confused since Ford makes a different "Explorer" now then they did back then. The one I'm talking about is the pick-up truck and not the newer version of a small bronco.
Maybe I just searched wrong.
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From: tulsa, ok
i had a hell of a time with my 77 ranger when i decided to take off all the chrome stripes, i grinded off evry fastener on there and did a bunch of bondo work. it is a pain, but the results are worth it!!
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Yelm, Washington
Could it have been hit before and had a replacement part put on?
My '78 Ranger has a passenger door from a custom on it after someone hooked my mirror and completely ripped it off and caved in the original door. I had to modify the door in order to put the chrome strip on so it did not look stupid.
Just a thought!
My '78 Ranger has a passenger door from a custom on it after someone hooked my mirror and completely ripped it off and caved in the original door. I had to modify the door in order to put the chrome strip on so it did not look stupid.
Just a thought!
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
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I have a 1975 F-150 it says its a Explorer and it also says custom on the inside dash. Whats that mean?. I also left out the stripe when i painted it . I mite put it back on someday. Check out the truck in the galleries let me know what you think. Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
With help from my ford dealer, I found this much out on the Explorer Trim and options package. It was a package that ran from 1970 to 1986. there was different levels of trim and options in the Explorer package as well. The Explorer packages changed from year to year so some trim or options may be different or mixed around depending on year.
Explorer Package A was Basicly Chrome, and interior trim and special Paint colors and pinstripes. Hood ornaments on some years...
Explorer B package (everything in A and) carpets, upgraded seat covers, Luxurious Door Panels, Chrome grilles, Chrome Rear step or straight bumpers options, special sporty wheel covers, Chrome Bed rails, Chrome Tie Hooks on some years,
Explorer Package C, (everything in A and B, plus) Air Conditioning, Power Steering and Brakes, Cruise O matic on some years... Intermittent wipers on some years, Am-Fm Moneral, or stereo options, auxillery Fuel Tanks...
You could add the Explorer package to any Trim or option level...
So it's possible to have...
Custom Explorer... (What comes with custom, plus Explorer, A or B or C)
Ranger Explorer... (What comes with Ranger, plus Explorer, A or B or C)
Ranger XLT Explorer... (What comes with Ranger XLT plus ) Well you get the idea...
Hope this helps....
Explorer Package A was Basicly Chrome, and interior trim and special Paint colors and pinstripes. Hood ornaments on some years...
Explorer B package (everything in A and) carpets, upgraded seat covers, Luxurious Door Panels, Chrome grilles, Chrome Rear step or straight bumpers options, special sporty wheel covers, Chrome Bed rails, Chrome Tie Hooks on some years,
Explorer Package C, (everything in A and B, plus) Air Conditioning, Power Steering and Brakes, Cruise O matic on some years... Intermittent wipers on some years, Am-Fm Moneral, or stereo options, auxillery Fuel Tanks...
You could add the Explorer package to any Trim or option level...
So it's possible to have...
Custom Explorer... (What comes with custom, plus Explorer, A or B or C)
Ranger Explorer... (What comes with Ranger, plus Explorer, A or B or C)
Ranger XLT Explorer... (What comes with Ranger XLT plus ) Well you get the idea...
Hope this helps....