First gen factory trim


Kenobi77

Forum Member

Joined
Jun 5, 2021
Messages
53
Points
101
City
Washington State, USA
Vehicle Year
1986
Engine
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
Currently have a 1986 4x4 I’m considering getting painted. Has the factory trim which has seen better days. Looked around online for reproductions, or even anything remotely close to the original trim, and found nothing. Relatively new to this scene so pardon my ignorance, but seriously, nobody produces anything at least similar? I’d like to hear what you guys have done in a situation like this. The junkyards around my area are crap and I’d rather not try my luck with them.
 
hi welcome to the ranger group.

what type of trim are you seeking? the stuff around the wheel wells? badges? or ...??
 
hi welcome to the ranger group.

what type of trim are you seeking? the stuff around the wheel wells? badges? or ...??
Hi there. I’m looking for the body molding, like in this picture. I apologize for not being able to scale it down.
First gen factory trim
 
Welcome to the site.

If they are moldings then I would think you just need to look through all the moldings available that are aftermarket to match it.

If it is actual trim you may have to recondition it yourself. It will be long hours and time consuming but well worth it in the end. how to recondition metal body trim - Google Search
 
The only thing I see in that picture is an added line just below the factory metal body line. That part is most likely a dealer added part that was double stick taped on. It was probably bought in sticks when new and cut to size. Never seen anything like it on a Ranger before.

Something similar can be bought in rolls now...
 
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Necro-replying to my own thread here.

Thanks for the welcomes and the replies. I’ve been terrible at getting on this site consistently until recently.
If they are moldings then I would think you just need to look through all the moldings available that are aftermarket to match it.

If it is actual trim you may have to recondition it yourself. It will be long hours and time consuming but well worth it in the end. how to recondition metal body trim - Google Search
Yeah, they’re plastic moldings. The only metal trim on my truck is on the bottom of the body, like in the picture.

The only thing I see in that picture is an added line just below the factory metal body line. That part is most likely a dealer added part that was double stick taped on. It was probably bought in sticks when new and cut to size. Never seen anything like it on a Ranger before.

Something similar can be bought in rolls now...
That’s what I thought, being dealer-added. Definitely double-stick taped. I had to pull a piece off before it would’ve flown off on the highway. I can get pictures of the trim and residue left behind, if you’d like.

It’s interesting because the driver’s side has had the trim replaced with parts-store Cowles trim; obvious because I can see how wavy it is going down the body, and that I can clearly see the unevenness of the scissor cuts. The original trim on the passenger side is straight all the way down (and no scissor cuts). Maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about…

I have tried to match the trim to new stuff, but all the ones out there are basic semi-circle shape, whereas the original is basically a right triangle. Can’t find anything like that, shape or width-wise.
 
Reading the 1986 sales brochure, they are factory on the "Deluxe Two Tone"
View attachment 101914

I concur, dealers may have added them too (both OE and aftermarket) but it is in the brochure.

My only suggestion is patience and keep trolling on ebay for NOS stuff.
 
Sorry to dig this out of the past… but I’m searching for that exact trim too. I found some NOS back in 1990 when mine was repainted but that set has seen better days. This is the profile. So if anyone has any ideas…. Thanks
 

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Sorry to dig this out of the past… but I’m searching for that exact trim too. I found some NOS back in 1990 when mine was repainted but that set has seen better days. This is the profile. So if anyone has any ideas…. Thanks
Great to see this exhumed. I did some digging off and on and the closest I found was the 300 series from Trimco:


I’d reckon it’s the best thing readily available. Guess there’s always a chance that someone at Trimco or another company may know if the exact profile is still produced somewhere, but at $25 for 20 feet of trim, I’d stash the old trim somewhere safe and put the 300 series on. The only reason why I haven’t bought it is because of life getting in the way and other things taking priority.
 
Great to see this exhumed. I did some digging off and on and the closest I found was the 300 series from Trimco:


I’d reckon it’s the best thing readily available. Guess there’s always a chance that someone at Trimco or another company may know if the exact profile is still produced somewhere, but at $25 for 20 feet of trim, I’d stash the old trim somewhere safe and put the 300 series on. The only reason why I haven’t bought it is because of life getting in the way and other things taking priority.
Well this looked promising until I scrolled to the bottom! I know all to well about life getting in the way. Mine sat for 30 years! Retired now and kids have grown up, time to bring it back!
 

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Great to see this exhumed. I did some digging off and on and the closest I found was the 300 series from Trimco:


I’d reckon it’s the best thing readily available. Guess there’s always a chance that someone at Trimco or another company may know if the exact profile is still produced somewhere, but at $25 for 20 feet of trim, I’d stash the old trim somewhere safe and put the 300 series on. The only reason why I haven’t bought it is because of life getting in the way and other things taking priority.
I guess I could get 150’ of it! That would put it over the $120 minimum! 😂
 
I guess I could get 150’ of it! That would put it over the $120 minimum! 😂
Yep, my plan was (and still is) to buy the minimum and then put an ad in the marketplace for anyone who wanted some. That’s the big reason I never posted on the thread about it, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging. Hoping to get an order in this summer for fall, but not looking hopeful with the job market. Eek.
 
Yep, my plan was (and still is) to buy the minimum and then put an ad in the marketplace for anyone who wanted some. That’s the big reason I never posted on the thread about it, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging. Hoping to get an order in this summer for fall, but not looking hopeful with the job market. Eek.
I’ll call them this week. I’d like to see a sample first before I’d commit to that much. I’ve considered using a wrap to simulate the “not quite chrome” look since I still have all the pieces. I’ll keep ya posted
 

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