Difference between 87 Ranger XLT and 87 Ranger

[Zejokee]

Is there a difference between a 87 ranger XLT and a 87 Ranger. I have a 87 Ranger XLT 2.9l and 5speed. Every time I look for a interior part or lift kit it says, "won't fit XLT models". So I am just curious what the difference is.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

I honestly thought the difference was creature comforts... a/c, radio, bucket seats, center console, carpet, thicker door panels with pockets, rear speakers, etc... And I belive the outside has a bit more chrome, with those black bumper covers, aswell as premium wheels. XLT I belive also had 4 wheel ABS. other than that I don't beive there is much difference than that. the more basic a ranger the less interior options, and stuff like abs, and traction control.

 

[Zejokee]

Hmm, mine does not have factory air or bucket seats, no center console. Did have carpet. Thin door panels, no pockets. Rear speakers. Does have some chrome and black bumper cover thingys. Wheels look stock. Hmm, this is interesting though.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Heres my '86 Ranger 4x4 XL and my '87 Ranger 4x4 XLT...

XL ( I put the one piece rubber mat and insulation in myself it was bare metal floor)

XLT (don't mind the mess)

 

[Zejokee]

Your 86 XL looks identical to mine. Even the ad gauges under the dash! I guess some one could of always swapped badges on my truck. Is there any where I can request a factory build sheet of my truck using the VIN# ?

 

[adsm08]

I honestly thought the difference was creature comforts... a/c, radio, bucket seats, center console, carpet, thicker door panels with pockets, rear speakers, etc... And I belive the outside has a bit more chrome, with those black bumper covers, as well as premium wheels. XLT I belive also had 4 wheel ABS. other than that I don't beive there is much difference than that. the more basic a ranger the less interior options, and stuff like abs, and traction control.

Wrongo.

My XLT had none of those things from the factory, except maybe the chrome. 4WABS was not available until the mid 90s, traction control not until the 2000s. The truck in question is an 87.

Rear speakers were on all super cabs, and many non-XLT regular cabs.


In fact, the only thing I have found that seems to set the XLT apart from any lower package that may have an affect on the fitment of aftermarket suspension parts is the rear sway bar. Mine has it. A room mate I had in college had an 88 XL reg cab. It had many of the fancier options that mine does not, but had no rear sway bar.




Then again, its also possible that his lack of rear sway bar was due to the fact that he had a reg cab short bed. IME not many of the early trucks with that body combo came equipped with the rear bar.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Wrongo.

My XLT had none of those things from the factory, except maybe the chrome. 4WABS was not available until the mid 90s, traction control not until the 2000s. The truck in question is an 87.

Rear speakers were on all super cabs, and many non-XLT regular cabs.


In fact, the only thing I have found that seems to set the XLT apart from any lower package that may have an affect on the fitment of aftermarket suspension parts is the rear sway bar. Mine has it. A room mate I had in college had an 88 XL reg cab. It had many of the fancier options that mine does not, but had no rear sway bar.

Then again, its also possible that his lack of rear sway bar was due to the fact that he had a reg cab short bed. IME not many of the early trucks with that body combo came equipped with the rear bar.

Well as i said before it what I "thought" XLT was a interior package. Now my '87 XLT does have a rear sway bar but it's a STX also which was a suspension package. As for the rear speakers mine is a regular cab and it has dash, door and rear speakers although the doors look like they were installed by a previous owner. With factory grills. I had front ABS on my '90 ranger which had a ranger custom badge on the side and was basic interior with a non-sliding window and 2wd. I had two XLTs and both had the nice interior one was a '88 2wd short bed regular cab and a 2.3. and my '87 STX with a 2.9, 4x4 regular cab short bed.

Ok... to answer the OPs question the difference between the two is probly a rear sway bar.

 

[adsm08]

Door speakers were factory to the 2nd gen, but took the place of the dash speakers. If you had a truck with 6 2 of them were add-ons because AFAIK the Ranger never came with more than a 4 channel radio.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Your 86 XL looks identical to mine. Even the ad gauges under the dash! I guess some one could of always swapped badges on my truck. Is there any where I can request a factory build sheet of my truck using the VIN# ?

See if this helps: http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/VIN_Codes.html


If I'm not misstaken if you go to kbb.com (kellybluebook.com) and fill out your info you put your vin# and it gives you a options list.

 

[adsm08]

VIN won't generally get you package info.

 

[Zejokee]

On my Jeep I was able to give Chrysler my Vin# and two days later I have a factory build sheet detailing exactly what my Jeep came with from the factory and its specifications. I have done this with several Jeeps but that is Jeep not a Ford. I would think I could do the something. I will look into the tech section mclaren. Thanks! Everyone has been a lot of help!