View Poll Results: plain or fancy?
custom (hardly any trim)
21
28.77%
xlt style (all fancied up)
39
53.42%
somewhere in between (maybe some nice fender mouldings)
13
17.81%
Voters: 73. You may not vote on this poll
trim levels
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
My project truck is a Ranger XLT. Had the woodgrain dash bezel and the glove box surround. Racetrack Chrome for the trim. I have most of the chrome and was lucky enough to get a 79 Bed with the racetrack chrome. A few pieces I still need. The project will be to drill holes in my doors and front fenders since they are new OEM sheet metal. But, looking forward to that day sometime in the future since it will be one of the last things I do. Far from it now.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
On the East Coast, I frequently see Customs. I have a '79 F250 Custom, and a '78 F250 Ranger Lariat. Both are different worlds, that is for sure.
Numberdummy is correct, most businesses had Customs. Not saying you can't find a Custom from a end-customer...my custom was purchased by a private party as it had the gauges, AM/FM radio, and cruise. Some couldn't afford nice trucks...I estimate the original stickers for typical Lariats to be between 9k to 11k when new off a dealer's lot.
Numberdummy is correct, most businesses had Customs. Not saying you can't find a Custom from a end-customer...my custom was purchased by a private party as it had the gauges, AM/FM radio, and cruise. Some couldn't afford nice trucks...I estimate the original stickers for typical Lariats to be between 9k to 11k when new off a dealer's lot.
Last edited by Jermafenser; Jul 22, 2007 at 09:23 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
I also have a 73 F100 Custom. Plain as it gets except for the narrow chrome strip in the middle and the two tone paint job.
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00363-1.jpg
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00352-1.jpg
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00356-1.jpg
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00358-1.jpg
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00363-1.jpg
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00352-1.jpg
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00356-1.jpg
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/bucks77highboy/73%20F100/?action=view¤t=DSC00358-1.jpg
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: rural Idaho
Very nice! Here's mine (so far)
I got new floor pans gonna' go in on Monday and I got a real nice bed (with tool box) lined up for $250. I am going to buy the thick vinyl flooring from LMC and put that in. Lastly i'm gonna put in a drop-in bed liner, as unpopular as they are. I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!
I got new floor pans gonna' go in on Monday and I got a real nice bed (with tool box) lined up for $250. I am going to buy the thick vinyl flooring from LMC and put that in. Lastly i'm gonna put in a drop-in bed liner, as unpopular as they are. I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!
Last edited by dadstan76; Jul 22, 2007 at 10:42 PM.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 356
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, Virginia
I got the race track on my 77' and love the way it looks when it is clean. The problem is that the way I used the truck, hunting and bogging, it was a problem. It trapped mud, causes rust and gets hung on tree limbs and pulled off. So, for a nice looking driver I say go for the most trim, but for off-roading go with the plain jane.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by Jermafenser
On the East Coast, I frequently see Customs. I have a '79 F250 Custom, and a '78 F250 Ranger Lariat. Both are different worlds, that is for sure.
Numberdummy is correct, most businesses had Customs. Not saying you can't find a Custom from a end-customer...my custom was purchased by a private party as it had the gauges, AM/FM radio, and cruise. Some couldn't afford nice trucks...I estimate the original stickers for typical Lariats to be between 9k to 11k when new off a dealer's lot.
Numberdummy is correct, most businesses had Customs. Not saying you can't find a Custom from a end-customer...my custom was purchased by a private party as it had the gauges, AM/FM radio, and cruise. Some couldn't afford nice trucks...I estimate the original stickers for typical Lariats to be between 9k to 11k when new off a dealer's lot.
1975 FoMoCo Passenger Car list prices (latest figures I have).
Top of the line models:
T-Bird = $7701.00
LTD Landau = $5401.00
Lincoln Continental Mark IV = $11,001.00
Lincoln Town Car = $9656.00
Mercury Grand Marquis = $6403.00
The 1977/79 F Series trucks from this period were $4800.00 for a stripper to $7000.00 for a loaded Lariat. Prices didn't begin to climb until the late 1980's.
Invoice was roughly $5400 for a loaded $7000.00 Lariat. I paid less than $5200.00 for my 1979 Lariat. That figure included all fees and transportation, and was bought at roughly $700.00 back of invoice. Just like today, the dealer invoice was not what the dealer actually paid.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Jul 23, 2007 at 12:00 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
My 77 F100 ranger xlt was bought by my great grandfather brand new for alittle over $5,000.
My 79 Bronco ranger xlt(acording to the orignal owner who also bought it new) was right at $6,000
My 79 Bronco ranger xlt(acording to the orignal owner who also bought it new) was right at $6,000
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
My 76 is a Custom Explorer, with no trim except around the front windshield. I assume it is original as I have not found any evidence of holes for the trim clips. When I restore it I am going to but the side trim with the rubber inserts and trim on the tailgate, maybe the rocker panels too, I haven't decided. All of you that are taking yours off can send them to me! 
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by 71LTD390
I have a Custom and a loaded Ranger Lariat. I like them equally yet differently. As far as comfort...the '78 Ranger Lariat is more comfortable/plusher/quieter than my '96 XLT.
I like the Custom just because it is the way most trucks were back then. It just represents the workhorse side of these trucks. It's louder, the cab echoes like a cave, and the vinyl laden interior stinks to high heaven. But the rubber mat laughs at muddy shoes, the vinyl seat sheds grease, and the lack of trim makes for a much better resoration budget.
That's why when I saw the '78 Ranger Lariat sitting in a yard for sale I bought it almost immediately. All of the Lariat trim was perfect. As was most of the truck. But with 22K miles it should have been.
I like the Custom just because it is the way most trucks were back then. It just represents the workhorse side of these trucks. It's louder, the cab echoes like a cave, and the vinyl laden interior stinks to high heaven. But the rubber mat laughs at muddy shoes, the vinyl seat sheds grease, and the lack of trim makes for a much better resoration budget.
That's why when I saw the '78 Ranger Lariat sitting in a yard for sale I bought it almost immediately. All of the Lariat trim was perfect. As was most of the truck. But with 22K miles it should have been.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Virginia
Thanks John T. The '74 is my dad's. He bought it new. Only options were the chrome strip, AM radio, camper shell, 302, and step bumper. The other trucks I have picked up here and there. I always wanted a truck(s) like dad. I will be bringing home a '76 F150 Ranger XLT hopefully this week. Another save from the crusher. Very little rust.
The green '75 was a basket case when I got it. The owner was going to junk it. A little TLC and it turned out well.
That's why when I saw the '78 Lariat for sale I couldn't resist. I had to add onto my shed to keep it. I test drove it and I was hooked. The Lariat trim level makes for a comfortable truck!
The green '75 was a basket case when I got it. The owner was going to junk it. A little TLC and it turned out well.
That's why when I saw the '78 Lariat for sale I couldn't resist. I had to add onto my shed to keep it. I test drove it and I was hooked. The Lariat trim level makes for a comfortable truck!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport, TN
In between - I have a '75 Ranger XLT F-250 Supercab LWB. The side and wheelwell trim has been deleted for rust reasons. The "pins" holding the trim were ground off with a Dremel. The only bright-work kept is the trim at the drip rail above the doors and the windows, and the grill. The front bumper has 2 sets of 'guards and they have been used. Currently it sets waiting for an engine rebuild. I made a boot to fit between the Ford canopy and the cab ( have sliding windows in both for camping). When the engine gets built it's getting new paint. The interior has been upgraded and will get a few more after it gets going again.