I have a 78 F-100 Custom, but what did the custom package actually consist of? I know it couldn't really be a luxury model b/c mine is pretty well stripped out, was it somethin like the sport of its day?

 

The custom package was the bottom of the barrel. You could pick and chose what you wanted on the truck, or didn't want for that matter.

 

my custom 1978 f-350 didn't even come with a radio (radio delete)
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thats what i was thinkin, mine doesn't have a/c or any creature comforts at all. Heat and radio is about all it had. And edwrd, i bet thats one of the things that had to change, lol gotta have tunes.

 

My 77 F-250 Custom didn't have a radio either. It did have full instrumentation, T-18 trans, 3:31 Dana 61, 351M, no A/C, pwr str, pwr brks, rubber floor and seat....

 

ohh yeah i forgot to mention, mine doesn't have power brakes, but once you get used to them you don't notice a difference, rubber floor like you, but i got the 300 paired with a C6 and 2.72 gears, boy do i wish i had overdrive and a lower ratio

 

my 76 F-150 Explorer Custom 2wd came with the following:
*Tutone Exterior color-copper with tan accent
*Styleside
*Tan vinyl seats
*Ammeter and Oil gauge
*Auto trans
*3.00 gears
*Tinted glass all around
**360 2V
**Factory A/C
**Power steering
**Power brakes
**Sliding rear window

* means its listed on the build sheet i got from Ford,
** is on the truck but not the sheet..

my 78 F-250 4x4 Custom came with a high output heater and Dana 60s front and rear because its a sno fighter....other than that it was very low on options.........

 

You could add to the Custom model every option Ford had in the Ranger XLT, or Lariet model, but it would cost you more than if you would have bought the Ranger XLT or Lariet package in the first place.

That's why you don't see too many decked out Custom models. Unless they are also explorers.

The Explorer Models (usually paired with Custom) on the other hand came in about 4 different Packages. The following reflects 1981 explorer specials, but the older explorers should be simular.

Package A:

Explorer tape stripe
Explorer name plate
Explorer Hood Ornament
Sport Wheel Covers
Bright window moldings
Chrome grille
Chrome tailgate handle
Wheelip moldings
Custom trim seats in Unique plaid cloth and vinyl or knitted vinyl.

Package B:

Includes Package A+
Cloth Headliner and moldings
Ranger Door Trim Panel
Color Keyed Floor Mats.
Unique two tone choices
Security Group

Package C:

Includes Package A and B
Ranger XLT Door Panels
Color Keyed Carpet
Woodtone Instrument Panel
Deluxe Steering Wheel
Automatic Transmission
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Air Conditioning
Tinted Glass
Am/FM Stereo Radio
Tutone Delete option

Package D

Includes Package A, B, C.
Speed Control
Tilt Steering Wheel
Sports Instrumentation
Convenience Group
Light Group
Auxillery Fuel Tank
Tutone Delete Option.

So you could have a Explorer Custom that was pretty well loaded.

 

I Still Hanve't Installed A Radio Yet, My Truck Has Been In The Body Shop
For Over A Year Getting Restored. 1978 F-350 140 Inch Wheel Base 351/c6
Dana 70 4.10 Limited Slip With 12,000 Origional Miles. I Bought The Truck With 5,400 Miles As A Fire Truck, And After 25 Years In Public Service She
Was Retired And I Turned Her Back Into A Truck Traveling 5000 Miles To Find
That Special Bed (spare Tire Carrier Built Into Right Side Of Box).

 

well edwrd, after all those years of service, its gettin much needed attention, and i bet it will be a great truck when you get done restoring it.

 

Factory tinted windows???

 

yes my truck has factory tinted windows. some even came with a rear defroster.

 

Quote :The Explorer Models (usually paired with Custom) on the other hand came in about 4 different Packages. The following reflects 1981 explorer specials, but the older explorers should be simular.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry, this comment isn't true.

These options were not part of the explorer packages.

The Explorer was basically a Trim Level only.

Not an option level.

Here is the original sheet from Ford where it lists the 78 Explorer trim package.

 

i also have an Explorer but it's a 4x4 which i havent seen any but one other from mine. The Explorer Custom wasn't the only Explorer offered either their were the Ranger Explorers too.
The custom was exactly what it said Custom. You can bet that most of the customs were a strip model truck though.

 

Howdy, not meaning to contradict you or anything, but I copied the List from my 1981 Ford Explorer sales literature. But as I did say the list was for a 1981.

I also have a list of features on a 1973 Explorer Specials too, and it definatly lists options as well as trim.

A direct quote from the 1973 dealer lit add.

"For a limited time only! Special Ford Pickups with special money saving discounts on a choice of popular features and options, includig cruise-O-Matic, power steering and air conditioning."


Package A:

Choice of special exterior paints, Bright Lime, Grabber Blue, Burnt Orange.
Special Intgerior Trim, Avocado, Blue Or Orange.
Color Keyed Floor Mats
Bright Front Bumper Guards
Bright Windshield and drip moldings
Unique lower body tape stripe
Mag Style wheel covers F-100
Bright wheel covers F-250 4x2
Tie Down hooks on 6 3/4 models
Bright pickup box side rails on 8' models
Bright low mount swing-lok mirrors

Package B Package A plus
Power steering
Power Brakes
Cruise-O-Matic

Package C plus package A+B

Air Conditioning
Tinted Glass

"Come save real money on a package deal at you ford dealer now. "

As I said copied directly from the dealer sales lit, for 1981, and 1973.