89-00 Grilles. Ever notice this?

[Kthwht00]

Ever notice that there are two grilles 98-00 that have a slightly different style?
One has the vertical bars chromed and forward of the painted horizontal bar. The other has the horizontal bar chromed and forward of the pained vertical bars.
Anyone know why some got one vs the other? I've seen the brochure and can't find a point of differentiation (trim level, 2wd vs 4wd, etc).
The body-colored grilles seem to use the horizontal-forward style as a base.

 

[stmitch]

Top pic is 4WD, bottom pic is 2WD

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Trim level determined color of grill and 2wd/4wd determined the style. I had at one point thought about swapping a 2wd grill on my 5.0 AWD Ranger (think stealthy sleeper-ish), but when I built the truck I decided I wanted the 01 style “honeycomb” grill with the better headlights the 01-11 trucks got. If/when I build a 2.3 EcoBoost AWD Ranger, I may go full build to sleeper status. The rumble of the 5.0 gives a strong hint that not all is stock, lol

 

[Kthwht00]

Top pic is 4WD, bottom pic is 2WD

Thanks. That's helpful. I wasn't sure because I saw a photo with the horizontal grille and no arch flares, which I thought all 4wds got. You're indicating you could get a 4wd without plastic wheel arch flares. Do you know about the arch flares? Was that an option or a package or with certain trims? Was it 4wd only?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Thanks. That's helpful. I wasn't sure because I saw a photo with the horizontal grille and no arch flares, which I thought all 4wds got. You're indicating you could get a 4wd without plastic wheel arch flares. Do you know about the arch flares? Was that an option or a package or with certain trims? Was it 4wd only?

To the best of my knowledge, 2wd got no plastic fender flares with the possible exception of the Edge and Trailhead models. Some 4x4 got no flares but most were the “off road“ packaged that got the trim, which around here rubs the paint and promotes rust. I’m not a fan.

 

[JoshT]

I had at one point thought about swapping a 2wd grill on my 5.0 AWD Ranger (think stealthy sleeper-ish), but when I built the truck I decided I wanted the 01 style “honeycomb” grill with the better headlights the 01-11 trucks got.

I'd considered the same. Then I realized that the only person that would spot the difference is a Ranger enthusiast like those of us here, so why bother. Also a lot of lowered 2wd guys have swapped on the edge grille and/or dome hood. Run what you like and don't worry about correct or sleeper, the general public isn't going to know the difference anyway.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'd considered the same. Then I realized that the only person that would spot the difference is a Ranger enthusiast like those of us here, so why bother. Also a lot of lowered 2wd guys have swapped on the edge grille and/or dome hood. Run what you like and don't worry about correct or sleeper, the general public isn't going to know the difference anyway.

I never noticed there was a difference...

 

[scotts90ranger]

I never noticed there was a difference...

I'm sure I've noticed but I have NOT paid attention, for the whole time I've been here I've almost completely ignored almost everything not TTB/TIB , assuming it isn't something that can be swapped around to older versions of course... which eliminates almost everything external

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I never noticed there was a difference...

I'm sure I've noticed but I have NOT paid attention, for the whole time I've been here I've almost completely ignored almost everything not TTB/TIB , assuming it isn't something that can be swapped around to older versions of course... which eliminates almost everything external

And you guys call yourselves Ranger enthusiasts…

 

[scotts90ranger]

And you guys call yourselves Ranger enthusiasts…

I like the whistlen kitty chasers (with or without the scooter stick) and sometimes ignore the snakes and sparklers...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

And you guys call yourselves Ranger enthusiasts…

They are as good to me for a parts source as a S-10.

 

[97RangerXLT]

And you guys call yourselves Ranger enthusiasts…

If it isn't a 97, whats the point?

AJ

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If it isn't a 97, whats the point?

AJ

97's are not much better. They got the good axle with good brakes. After that...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

No wonder there’s so much confusion about the Ranger Generations… half the people working here can’t tell them apart…

 

[sgtsandman]

I've noticed it in the past but since it never applied to me and my Rangers, I pretty much just dumped the info as irrelevant.