Ford Ranger

[Busdriver]

Am I right in thinking that the Ranger/Blackfoot body is based on a mid 70’s Ranger? I’m trying to get some colour inspiration so thought I’d look for original photos etc.

[Frog Jumper]

IIRC, its a 1981 side step.

 

(ETA) the photo is of a F100, which was very similar (2wd vs 4wd), but body styling would have been the same.

 

 

[Frog Jumper]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_F-Series_(seventh_generation)

[Original Jardasius]

5 hours ago, Frog Jumper said:

IIRC, its a 1981 side step.

 

(ETA) the photo is of a F100, which was very similar (2wd vs 4wd), but body styling would have been the same.

Indeed Ford Made four editions to the F100 the standard, The XLT,  The Explorer and the pic shown above Ranger

 

 

[Frog Jumper]

So if you’re upset about the lack of “Ford” on the hood of the newer BF  bodies:

(from the wiki):

”Model year 1980–1981 trucks had a plain grille with "FORD" spelled across the front of the hood in chrome lettering, similar to the 1978-1979 models of the previous generation.

The 1982 model year was marked by a slight but important cosmetic change: 1982–86 models had the "FORD" letters above the grille removed, and a Ford oval placed in the center of the grille, with fewer vertical bars in the grille itself. This made the 1982 the first model year to feature the Blue Oval on the front…”

 

[markbt73]

It's still weird hearing folks in the UK refer to that truck as a Ranger. Since 1983, the Ranger has been the small Ford truck. The F150 part of the name is the important part; Ranger was just a trim package. So if you want to look for reference photos, look up 80-86 Ford F100 or F150 stepsides. Lots of great 2-tone paint schemes in those days...

[Frog Jumper]

Here are some great shots of an '82 F150 with green on green.  You can see the different front grill (with blue emblem) and not "Ford" on the hood:  https://topclassiccarsforsale.com/ford/671181-1982-ford-f150-short-bed-stepside.html

If you want to replicate this with a newer BF body (without the "Ford"), you can use this grill piece from Shapeways (no affiliation):  https://www.shapeways.com/product/7JH6735RE/tamiya-blackfoot-1986-xlt-grill?optionId=77759556&li=marketplace

Terry

 

[mongoose1983]

23 hours ago, markbt73 said:

It's still weird hearing folks in the UK refer to that truck as a Ranger. Since 1983, the Ranger has been the small Ford truck. The F150 part of the name is the important part; Ranger was just a trim package. So if you want to look for reference photos, look up 80-86 Ford F100 or F150 stepsides. Lots of great 2-tone paint schemes in those days...

Here in the Third world we call it Ranger, too.