Ranger spotted: Letterkenny

[kunar]

Good lookin little first gen! Must be like 84-85 since there's no 3rd brake light or cargo light. Season 8, episode 7, about 17 mins in.

 

[adsm08]

Certainly a gen 1, but the cargo light was optional at least through 88. The Rangers didn't get a 3rd brake light until at least 93, but they weren't required until 96.

 

[kunar]

Certainly a gen 1, but the cargo light was optional at least through 88. The Rangers didn't get a 3rd brake light until at least 93, but they weren't required until 96.

I thought the federal mandate for the 3rd brake light was in the late 80's but i just read it wasnt till 94 for trucks. Interesting

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I thought the federal mandate for the 3rd brake light was in the late 80's but i just read it wasnt till 94 for trucks. Interesting

'86(ish) for cars, etc.

 

[sgtsandman]

I remember those days and the scabbed on third brake lights that caused all kinds of window glare and just looked hideous.

 

[mtnrgr]

Rangers starting in 87-88 only had the bed cargo light, clear lenses only. It was that way until 92. In 93 is when Ford first started to install the 3rd brake light.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

By the way.... Are we sure that's not a second generation truck? All I can see is the back, which was identical on first and second gen trucks. Or do all of the second gen trucks have the chrome filler on the tailgate (both of my second gen trucks had it, but they were both XLTs)?

 

[mtnrgr]

Chrome tailgate handles were used from 83-88, 89 was the first year of the black tailgate handle those were used from 89-92.

 

[Dirtman]

Tailgate handles help you open the tailgate.

 

[mtnrgr]

So does my foot. Those handles were known for issues. Over time you lift the handle and it would stay up, and that kept the tailgate from opening. At times on my 88 when the gate would not open. I would lift up the handle, get inside the bed and kick it and it opens. My old friend did the same thing on his 91.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Chrome tailgate handles were used from 83-88, 89 was the first year of the black tailgate handle those were used from 89-92.

Sorry, I'm not talking about the handle. I'm talking about this:

Yes, the handle is black. So are the door handles, in case you didn't notice. I'm talking about the nice big flat slab that covers the indented part of the tailgate.

Here's the tailgate without the piece I'm talking about:

I do see, though, looking at the OP, that the pictured truck has a chrome handle.

 

[mtnrgr]

Those stupid plates that Ford used were ugly, never did like those. They were used from 87-88 to 92, and was mostly used on the xlt rangers.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Those stupid plates that Ford used were ugly, never did like those. They were used from 87-88 to 92, and was mostly used on the xlt rangers.

I much prefer the look of the tailgate without it. I'd have left it off, but my tailgate was full of holes without it.

 

[97RangerXLT]

I much prefer the look of the tailgate without it. I'd have left it off, but my tailgate was full of holes without it.

16 chrome bolts in the holes, or 16 body color painted bolts in the holes. Not perfect, but not as gaudy as the aluminum trim plate.

AJ

 

[Josh B]

My 87 didn't have it, but that truck was so rusty when given to me(think I started a thread titled "My First Ranger") I plum tossed it and drove around without one for 6 or 8 months. One day I saw an ad in Thrifty Nickel for a 91 tailgate- $50. It was near where I went to church there and made arrangements to go see it that weekend.
It was still new in the box, had everything attached and ready to go. Wasn't sure that it would work but I told him if it did I'd buy it.
That thing slipped right on and latched right in. I paid him $50(it might have been 75)and we stood there and talked a bit
He'd had a Ranger but had sold it not long after getting rear ended a bit, and the Insurance had sent him a new one that arrived after it was gone. The guy said he'd gotten tired of it sitting in his closet.

He showed me the invoice that came with it, the total was about $1100.00, and included all the latches and hardware, ready to install.

It had that silver plate, and made my rusty ol 87 look gobbs better! Hek, I liked it just fine

Here's that thread I wrote about it
https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/my-first-ford-ranger.182973/