I checked the FAQ and couldn't find anything. What is the difference between the two? I recently acquired a 77 F150 Ranger XLT. Thanks Matt

 

The XLT is mainly an upgraded trim package. Some of the stuff includes woodgrained door panels, dash trim, seats, carpet and sometimes different body side moldings. As far as mechanics go they are the same.
Congrats on your new toy.

 

Maybe this will help alittle more. I think I mightve robbed this from someone on here a few years ago.
Here it is:

CUSTOM: Ford's base model (differing from Custom Cab, but I'm not sure what that difference was); no chrome, no carpet, no A/C standard, no tilt, no cruise, AM radio (or even NO radio), no headliner, vinyl seats, painted grille (grey), etc.

EXPLORER: A step up from custom, the Exlporer level was really a "sport's/off-road" add-on to the Custom levl; sport stripes, chrome optional, Explorer badging (Hood ornament, side-panel ensignia, rear-quarter ensignia), off-road package (fuel tank and t-case sheilds), painted steel wheels or "rally wheels', painted grill (black or grey), push bars and/or bed-bars optional, etc. Basically Ford's idea of a sport's truck.

RANGER: This was the real next notch in the levels; chrome (very minimal), carpet optional, vinyl bench seat with cloth houndstooth inserts, cardboard headliner, tilt optional, cruise optional, painted (grey) or chrome grille, RANGER badging, etc.

RANGER XLT: This was the most popular level, again an add-on to the Ranger trim level (much like the Explorer was an add-on to the Custom level); full chrome, two-tone paint (center band or "waterfall") chrome wheels or painted wheels with chrome caps, chrome grille, square headlamps ('78), "RANGER XLT" badging, carpeting, cloth seats, vinyl headboard, AM/FM, AM/FM/CB, AM/FM/8track radios; cruise, tilt, AC optional, etc.

LARIAT: The absolute top of the line! Two-tone paint (center or waterfall), very chromey, chrome wheels (usually rally-style), button-cushioned vinyl headboard, carpet, radios, crushed velour seats, etc. Loaded.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. This is going to be another work truck. I was curious. The thing that is real amazing is my 96 F250 XL is a lower trim level but plusher. I love the simplicity of the 70's. Matt

 

i cant figure out what my 79 is supposed to be. it says custom on the glovebox, but on my climate controls i have A/c, and everything, although my truck doesnt have a/c anymore. my truck also has the black grill. i dont if stuff just got changed around over the years or what.

also what i dont understand is ive seen 2 ranger xlts in the last few months, and both of them only had "off, cool, and warm" settings on the climate control panel. while my custom has everything.

 

Your custom has AC and the Rangers werent ordered with AC. It was an option available to all trim levels. A few months ago I parted out a F100 Custom (lowest/ cheapest truck right????) with a 300-6 tilt cruise AC and chrome molding. Build sheet says it all came that way. That was the first Id heard of a highly optioned Custom. It seems it would make more sense and the dealer would push the customer harder to buy a higher trim level truck that would come with these options alittle more standard. Although back in the 70's you could pretty much order what you wanted. I have even heard that a few government or mining deals where they ordered some F250 4x4 with 460s but thats hear say. no proof.

 

my 79 custom came stock with a chrome grille,an headlight doors,a headliner,anfm radio,cruise control,factor hood release lock,and woodgrain dash an glovebox,as well as a factory in box locking sparetire,carpet,cloth seat,big radiator,ls diff, aluminium sport wheels.so not all customs are low option trucks.they are as it says in the name,custom,you can order them with what you like,(so ive bin told)-billy

 

They are Trim Lines


Custom means you can custom order different options for a truck without the already trim packages offered in other Trim lines.

ie:Rubber floor mats,Air conditioning,Cruise Control, etc.

as opposed to

the XLT or Lariat that has Carpet,Tilt/Cruise,Air conditioning for $3000.00 more standard equip.

 

Custom trucks are basically just what the name says. If you didnt want carpet but you want cruise and A/C then you custom ordered it. Some times you can find a custom that had great options added to it. I just picked up a 79 F-150 2wd Lariat. I figured it would come standard with all the options. I was wrong. It seems all you get is lots of chrome, fancy seat and headliner and the best interior available. This truck has no tilt wheel, no cargo light, and it even has idiot lights for oil and alternator. It does have cruise, A/C and a 460.