
Until the Ford Courier started coming over from Mazda in Japan that spring, Ford's smallest and lightest truck offerings for 1972 were the wholly redesigned Ranchero and the carryover Bronco. Broncos with the Sport option package (shown here) featured bright trim inside and out, plus fancier upholstery.
All Ford Broncos also got bigger brakes in 1972. With tightening exhaust-emissions standards, the 302-cid V-8 became the base engine for California-bound Broncos, although the 170-cid six was still available there as a special-order item.

The extremes of the 1972 1/2-ton F-100 range: a full-dress Ford Explorer with lots of bright trim and colorful upholstery...

...and an all-business entry-level 1972 Ford Custom.

Four-wheel-drive Ford F-250s got a beefier Spicer front axle for 1972.

The W-Series truck remained Ford's "big dog." New Owner-Operator option groups with comfort and appearance features were created to appeal to independent truckers.
Redesigns ruled for Ford in 1973, with F-Series, W-Series, and Ranchero all receiving alterations.