What options and packages were there in 74, and what did they include???

I have a 74 F-100 4X4 that has Ranger, XLT, and Explorer badges. It has the Ranger badge on the rear bed of the truck, the Explorer blue hood tag, and the glove compartment claimes it as a Ranger XLT.

Was it possible to get these 3 options on the truck? and how do I determine exactly what I have?

 

Contact Kevin Marti Marti Auto Works - Concourse Quality, Hobbyist Price and you can order a VIN report. That will tell you how your truck was optioned when it was built. You can get the same thing from Ford for free but it will take a while, Ford has to contact Marti to get the info.
I would say you probably have a Ranger XLT, the Explorer was mainly ordered on the Custom (base) level trucks. The Ranger XLT was top of the line in '74. If it did have the Explorer option in would have vinyl tape stripe along the bottom of the body, unless it was ordered with the stripe delete option.
Plus in '74 the Explorer didn't use a hood ornament. That started in '75. The blue background was used in '76 & '77.

 

I should have been able to spot that big a ss hole under the hood where the badge was added..
I have the original build sheet for the truck, would this help identify the packages??
The only stripes on the truck are 2 blue stripes below and above the upper trim, on the hood, and the tailgate.

 

The Explorer Package was a seasonal package, and is super goober awesome, and was available in the Spring. It was different every year. The Explorer package Either had the Ranger Package or the Custom Package added onto it. It should say Explorer on the Bedside, And Ranger on the GloveBox.
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The Ranger-XLT Package was the top of the line from 1970-1977.
And if you got it with a '73-'76 you got a really cool Red XLT Grille Badge.
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There was also a Ranger, a Custom, and in '78 the Ranger Lariat replaced the Ranger-XLT as the Top of the Line.
Now, For some Brochures....


What color is your Explorer....?
They Were available in a couple color, such as "Jade Green"


& "Grabber Blue" Which was first introduced in '71 or '72 on Passenger Cars...(If I remember correctly)




as well as "Burnt Orange"



As well as "Bright Lime"



The Explorer Package had A,B,C,D packages...Package D was just a Topper.
Here is a '79 Brochure advertisin' some of the Trim Packages I talked about.

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'73 F-100 Explorer Brochure:

And, Just for Laughs, Here's a '72 Explorer Brochure:

Here are the Emblems Used throughout the years:
'75 Explorer Hood Ornament:
Part Number: D5TZ-16850-A

'76-'77 Explorer Blue Hood Ornament:
Part Number: D6TZ-16850-B

'78-'79 Explorer Black Hood Ordament:
Part Number: D8TZ-16850-A

'73-'81 Explorer BedSide Emblem:
Part Number: D3TZ-9925622-D
Also used for the Tailgate in '80.

Yes, The Build Sheet will tell you.
Your truck has had things changed around.

 

"super goober awsome", my truck says thank you.

p.s is there a way to tell how many 79 exploreres they made, i'm sure it was a ton but still wpuld be neat to know..

 

Yah it semes like the original owner had a thing with badges and decals When I decoded the VIN it called the truck a Ranger not a Ranger XLT. I got to looking at the glove box and relised it was pulled off a F-250.
The Explorer hood ornament is obviously added on, and it also has Cobra, Ford, and Union stickers everywhere!
So I assume that it is just a regular model Ranger.

According to the build sheet it has Protection group, and Conven. packages. What are these???

The truck has had some things added on by Southern California RV Products INC. They added a second 20 Gallon fuel tank, what else was added I dont know.

Did the Ranger come with all this trim??? According to my Build sheet it has trim sets BRX, dose that look right in the pic?
What the truck looked like when I bought it, after playing in the mud!!!
The tail has the trim around the lights and tailgate, and a metal Ford insert on the gate over where Ford is usually stamped.

 

Yes the Ranger came with all that Trim.
The Protection Package had the followin' options:
Front Tow Hooks
Push Bar
Fog Lamps (Require Push Bar)
Dual Horns
Inside Lockin' Hood Release ('79s)
Roof Clearance Lights. (5)
Exterior Protection Group Includes Bright Door Edge Guards, Front Bumper Guards, & Front Bumper Rub Strip.
High Altitude Emission System
(My Truck has the Protection Package)
The Comfort/Convenience Package(s) included:
High Output Heater (Standard on Super Cabs & Crew Cabs)
ComfortVent (Included with Air Conditionin')
Air Conditionin'.
Convenience Group:
Map Pocket, Intermediate Wipers.
12" Day/Night Mirror.
Light Group Includes:
Lights in GloveBox.
In The AshTray.
Under Instrument Panel.
Under the hood, and in the Cargo Box.
'79s also got a Illuminated Vanity Visor Mirror, which is super dooper rare today.

 

once again, anthony you astound me. i had no idea the explorer package was offered on the ranchero, wouldnt mind seeing one of those! btw 410f100 nice truck

 

What did I do...?

 

Thanks for all the info, and complements!

Normally I buy darker coloured vehicles, but for some reason when I sas this truck I just had to have it!!! do you blame me?!

 

Nope, We don't blame you one bit!

 

its just amazing that a kid your age has already ammassed such a wealth of brochures/info, ive never seen a ranchero explorer,yet thers the brochure in your collection

 

Yeah, Well I brought home for the first time in a dent-side, and have always been around, and liked old '70s- before Cars & Trucks, Mostly trucks.
I guess you could say I have dent sides runnin' through my veins.
I may not know nothin', But, I ain't as dumb as ye think I am....

 

born to be dent, thats cool