How to tell if my truck is a xl or xlt.

[BoArDwAxStYlE]

Hey guys its been a very long time since I've posted anything, but I have a random question.
How can I find out if my truck is a xl or xlt?
It doesn't tell me when I run the VIN on the sites I've tried.
Any help or info is appreciated.
Thanks, Rich.

btw truck is a 1997 3.0l 4x4 standard cab, long bed.

 

[adsm08]

You look at the badges on the fenders. If there is a T behind the L then it is an XLT.

Not that it means much either way, they are just meaningless trim packages that seem to in no way correlate to any visual, mechanical, or trim differences.

 

[4x4junkie]

Assuming the badges were removed by a previous owner... Quickest & easiest way to tell:

XLT has chrome bumpers and upper front grill trim.
XL has rubber floor and usually a straight vinyl bench seat (though the 60/40 split bench was available optionally).
A STX was available also, which has a leather wrap on the steering wheel.

 

[Mark_88]

I think they even released an SEX model...the one with the "Holy $hit" handles on the roof...

 

[adsm08]

Assuming the badges were removed by a previous owner... Quickest & easiest way to tell:

XLT has chrome bumpers and upper front grill trim.
XL has rubber floor and usually a straight vinyl bench seat (though the 60/40 split bench was available optionally).
A STX was available also, which has a leather wrap on the steering wheel.

I have seen non-XLT badged trucks with the chrome trim.
I have seen XL badged trucks with carpet.
I have seen non-STX trucks with the leather steering wheel.

 

[86 slo-vo]

I have seen non-XLT badged trucks with the chrome trim.
I have seen XL badged trucks with carpet.
I have seen non-STX trucks with the leather steering wheel.

Pretty much, I have never quite understood it.

 

[4x4junkie]

It was a simple answer to a simple question. Once a truck leaves the factory, then of course nothing is guaranteed, especially after the truck has been through a few owners.

 

[EMB1230]

You look at the badges on the fenders. If there is a T behind the L then it is an XLT.

Not that it means much either way, they are just meaningless trim packages that seem to in no way correlate to any visual, mechanical, or trim differences.

98-on, the fenders on XL's just said RANGER. Usually, XL's had the super plain door panels, XLT's had the larger grip handles, vs those lil shallow ones on XL's. also, map pockets, and either carpet, or textured plastic at the bottom. of course if you had an Edge, which was based off the XL, but ordered Pwr mirrors/locks/windows, it had the XLT panels.

 

[ab_slack]

I have seen non-XLT badged trucks with the chrome trim.
I have seen XL badged trucks with carpet.
I have seen non-STX trucks with the leather steering wheel.

Pretty much describes my XL in all cases, chrome trim, carpet, leather steering wheel.

My XLT had carpet and leather steering wheel but did not have chrome trim.

So I agree none of that is any indicator.


Poking around I thought I found something in the VIN that indicated trim level (maybe users manual indicated). Though there was nothing indicated what exactly was included.

 

[97RangerXLT]

In general, the XLT is the fancier trim package, and the XL is the base trim. However, that does not always hold true as mentioned above. If the fender badges say XLT, then you have an XLT, if they say XL, you have an XL Beyond that, it doesn't mean much.

My 97 is an XLT, and I have the Chrome bumpters, 60/40 cloth bench seat, Auto trans, Power Steering, Cruise, Tilt, full carpet, A/C and leather wrapped steering wheel. All factory. I have the alloy deer hoof rims as well, and the off road package with the 31" tires and 2" lift, all factory. 4.0 engine, Auto transmission and electric 4wd It is not an STX, but it has many of the STX features. I do not have the fog lights tho.

I have seen many trucks with XL badges that have the features my XLT has, and I have seen several XLT's that were pretty much base trucks.

AJ

 

[Andy D]

In general, the XLT is the fancier trim package, and the XL is the base trim. However, that does not always hold true as mentioned above. If the fender badges say XLT, then you have an XLT, if they say XL, you have an XL Beyond that, it doesn't mean much.

My 97 is an XLT, and I have the Chrome bumpters, 60/40 cloth bench seat, Auto trans, Power Steering, Cruise, Tilt, full carpet, A/C and leather wrapped steering wheel. All factory. I have the alloy deer hoof rims as well, and the off road package with the 31" tires and 2" lift, all factory. 4.0 engine, Auto transmission and electric 4wd It is not an STX, but it has many of the STX features. I do not have the fog lights tho.

I have seen many trucks with XL badges that have the features my XLT has, and I have seen several XLT's that were pretty much base trucks.

AJ

That is pretty much the Rat's trim level even the 2" lift. But it is a 5 spd, roll up windows, no cruise,, no tilt. no AC. 60/40 cloth seat and carpet ,premium sound.

 

[LearjetMinako]

XL & XLT Rangers in those years had a lot of mixed options. The only two options that I know that didn't mix was the XLT had side door map pockets and passenger side vanity mirror.

My XLT must have been the basic model for its trim level. As it included no cruise, no tilt wheel, crank windows, cassette deck, and manual transmission. Though some of the options included was the tinted sliding rear window and jump seats. It is now a XLT Custom, as I have added tinted windows, cruise control, premium sound w/ CD player, electronic automatic temperature control, HD shocks, 15" alloy wheels, floor mats, and more+better cup holders.

 

[Andy D]

I am amazed at what I see for options on the Ranger . The Rat is a big cab, short bed . I call it a 5 window. Slider rear, manual mirrors and a shiny blueish green paint, I'm pretty sure it is an XLT. It was funny , putting in the new radio and seeing the only 2 wires going into the door were speaker wires. Hadn't seen that in a while. All my heavily optioned cars and utes had beaucoup door wires. And standard options packages. The Ranger options are all over the place.

 

[BoArDwAxStYlE]

thanks for all the info. Going off the inner door panels and lack of chrome im going to assume its a xl.
However ive been told its all a guessing game from here out.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You can email Ford customer service the VIN and they can tell you what options it left the factory with (and even its birthday)

I did it a few years ago, it took a couple weeks but it was free.