Was there actually such a model F150 Ranger?

[James Morse]

New @ford F-150 Ranger XLT High Trail Edition | @Traxxas TRX-4 - YouTube

These are pretty cool; and pretty expensive.

 

[Shran]

Ranger and Explorer were both appearance packages dating back to the 60's... you could get Broncos with the Ranger package too.

 

[Snoranger]

I’ve got a ‘79 f350 supercab Ranger XLT sitting in my driveway.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I got a 77 F250 ranger

Ranger name was a trim/appereance package from 67 (i believe) untill 82

 

[JoshT]

Ranger and Explorer were both appearance packages dating back to the 60's... you could get Broncos with the Ranger package too.

Ranger name was a trim/appereance package from 67 (i believe) untill 82

Actually Ranger started as a model name and goes back about a decade further than that. To my knowledge the first used in the automotive world was the Edsel Ranger, a car produced by Ford back int he late 50s. After production the next use of the brand was as a trim package on the Broncos and pickup trucks. As mentioned Explorer was also a trim package both started in the mid to late 60s. They stopped using Ranger as a trim package label in the 80-82 timeframe, just before introducing the little truck. The Explorer trim package ran on the trucks up into the late 80s or early 90s, including on the Ranger and maybe BII.

I've got a lot of pet peeves and this is one of them. I don't know how many times I've had someone thaty've got a 70 something Ford Ranger. I'm like, no you don't. They want to argue or pull out pictures to prove its a Ranger. "Dude, you've for a F-(XXX) with a Ranger trim package. That isn't a Ranger." Quickly figure out that I'm wasting my time, something I should have known before hand.

Usually these conversations start with them fussing about having trouble findiing this part or that part. It's no wonder the parts guy at ------------ can't find the part for your vehicle, you don't even know what you've got. I end up just shaking my head and wonder off at that point.

 

[rubydist]

iirc, the F-150 Ranger trim level was introduced in 1966. The Explorer trim level didn't start until the dent-side trucks in 1973.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This model and I have had issues for years. I keep getting excited when I see one thinking finally someone is making a first Gen model kit... nope that stupid flare side bullnose strikes again.

https://www.amazon.com/Revell-Ranger-Pickup-Truck-Model/dp/B01463SGKC/?tag=959media-20

 

[JoshT]

iirc, the F-150 Ranger trim level was introduced in 1966. The Explorer trim level didn't start until the dent-side trucks in 1973.

Sounds right for the Ranger. I know for sure that Explorer was available on the '72 Bumpsides. I've seen that it was available earlier than that, but maybe not all the time or everywhere. Seems like it may have been a limited select dealer only dealer thing for a few years before becoming a factory option, maybe a trial run before adding it to the catalog?

 

[James Morse]

Can we see pics of those F series Rangers?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sounds right for the Ranger. I know for sure that Explorer was available on the '72 Bumpsides. I've seen that it was available earlier than that, but maybe not all the time or everywhere. Seems like it may have been a limited select dealer only dealer thing for a few years before becoming a factory option, maybe a trial run before adding it to the catalog?

Explorer was definatly around for bumps. But i dont recall seeing a ranger older then 67.

Can we see pics of those F series Rangers?

Heres a pic of mine. One of the last tasks she accomplished before being parked. This was 2018 i believe. Maybe 19.

Shes alot rustier now.

 

[Snoranger]

Can we see pics of those F series Rangers?

I don’t have any newer pics with me… here’s one from when I picked it up in 2018.

It was in the family from new until ‘97, then it was passed around to a few different owners and a different state, I found it on Craigslist in 2018 and bought it back.


@rusty ol ranger - I need the passenger mirror assembly off your truck… I’ll pm you the shipping address.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Dads '80 F-350 aka "the one ton" or "the Ford"

 

[JoshT]

Explorer was definatly around for bumps. But i dont recall seeing a ranger older then 67.

Ranger Trim package started in 65 or 66. I've heard about them (outside that one article) but never seen one personally.

The Ranger branding started with these, the 1958 Edsel Ranger.



Edsel was a division of Ford so it still counts.

Can we see pics of those F series Rangers?

Unfortunately, mine isn't a Ranger. On the bumpsides, the exteriors were nearly the same, Ranger was mostly different trim width and emblems. Here's the only decent picture of my "not a Ranger" F-100 that I have on this device, or atleast that I can find on it at the moment.

 

[rubydist]

On the 66s, the fender badge that normally said "twin I beam" instead said "ranger". The interior had bucket seats from a Mustang of the year. Almost all of them were two-tone paint, interior and exterior. iirc, there was a console available but very few people ordered that, so they are extremely rare today.

I found a 72 F100 Explorer. On the F100 explorers, they had a badge on the rear side of the bed that said "explorer" I had forgotten that you could get a bumpside in the explorer trim.