What Gen Ranger Is This?

[Jbrubakerjr]

Spotted just a few hours ago north of Atlanta…

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[daniel3507]

Not technically a ranger. I think ranger was basically a trim level back in the day?

 

[Progeny2021]

This body style for 1978-1979 only.....the following was at the Orlando Mecum auction last month.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FA0722-509168/1979-ford-bronco-ranger-xlt/

 

[9zero1790]

id say thats one of the "ranger" trim package generations lol. 70s bronco, based on the half ton truck. cool old rig.

 

[LostMy65]

And I think during that time period a Canadian could buy that same truck but it was labeled a Mercury.

 

[Progeny2021]

The Ranger F100 sub model first appeared in 1965.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/f-100-history

 

[Progeny2021]

And I think during that time period a Canadian could buy that same truck but it was labeled a Mercury.

A bit of history....

http://www.mercurypickup.com/mercury-truck-history/

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Spotted just a few hours ago north of Atlanta…

Not a Ranger vehicle....it is a Bronco.... First Ranger was 1982½.

The side badging does not match and is likely added by the owner... Bronco is raised lettering and Ranger and XLT is recessed.

Best,
Phil

 

[LostMy65]

A bit of history....

http://www.mercurypickup.com/mercury-truck-history/

looks like i was off 10 years.

 

[Jbrubakerjr]

The Ranger F100 sub model first appeared in 1965.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/f-100-history

I did have a ‘73 F100 Ranger myself

 

[Jbrubakerjr]

Not a Ranger vehicle....it is a Bronco.... First Ranger was 1982½.

The side badging does not match and is likely added by the owner... Bronco is raised lettering and Ranger and XLT is recessed.

Best,
Phil

I thought the owner may have added the badging. I drove a similar Bronco for a while in the 80’s.

Thanks for the confirmation, Phil!

 

[9zero1790]

And I think during that time period a Canadian could buy that same truck but it was labeled a Mercury.

i know you could get a mecury truck that was a "ford" but i never seen one in person. kinda like dodge and plymouth or desoto.

 

[Big Blue]

The Ranger XLT was the top line trim for the Second Gen Bronco as it was for the F series it was based on.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

he did a good job molding them together then

lots of other examples out there

Hi RP,

Hmm....did not notice this....No idea then other than it is a Bronco.... I was certainly there in 1979 but do not recall a Bronco Ranger I had a 1981 Bronco for quite a while....not very fuel efficient... Must have been a Marketing rebadge without any engineering content needed. I do know they did regional stuff and this may be the case here....not sure... most Marketing regional stuff was usually just decal stuff...

Best,
Phil

 

[dkirby]

This body style for 1978-1979 only.....the following was at the Orlando Mecum auction last month.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FA0722-509168/1979-ford-bronco-ranger-xlt/

This is the correct answer. Although I noticed the Mecum auction Bronco doesn't have the original square headlights. It looks like they swapped in the round ones from a 1976-1977 F-150.

EDIT: After a little digging, round headlights were also on lower trim series 1978 Broncos. Still not original on the 1979 XLT.

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