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Explorer Disscussion.

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BullnoseHunter02

Explorer Disscussion.

Hey guys, so i figured id make a somewhat official thread disscussing the Explorer package, its pretty rare and i think it might be a helpful thread for those that have trucks with the Explorer package to learn about em and stuff, There are brochures in the Literature section that go into detail on what was offered on these trucks. I personally really like these trucks, its a cool touch to em, and they had a lot of unique things avabile on em that were just plain cool. So, if ya wanna pin it, go ahead, if not, its okay.

Thanks!

Hunting for a Bullnose, single cab, 8 foot bed, decent shape with little to no rust! and under 10k in near or around the STL Mo area, (Illinois is a valid option aswell!)

Gsmblue

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Great idea, mine is an explorer in XL trim but has factory AC and cruise, manual windows and locks.

1985.5 F-150 XL Explorer standard cab 5.0 EFI AOD 4x4
Daily Driver. We call her Eunice the Ute.

1982 Bronco XLT Lariat 351W AOD 4x4
Code name Esperanza, or Espy to her friends. Please see my Project thread for the blow by blow.

1984 F-350 XL Centurion crew cab 460 T19 4x4
"Eylza Dual-little"

Gary Lewis

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Administrator

As the signature says, Big Blue is an XLT Lariat Explorer. And as the page below says, I think it is a Package B, but with a few things added, like the trailer package, aux battery, and a 460.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

BullnoseHunter02

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

I didnt think ford offered the 460 for the 7th generation. I thought the last year for it was 1979. But, im probibly wrong. I also remember reading that each explorer package corrresponded with a trim. A-D i think. I also looked at the pricing chart, and i think you had to pay around 700ish bucks to add the Explorer package. Expensive stuff!

Hunting for a Bullnose, single cab, 8 foot bed, decent shape with little to no rust! and under 10k in near or around the STL Mo area, (Illinois is a valid option aswell!)

Gary Lewis

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Administrator

The 460 was reintroduced in 1983 in the F250's and heavier.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

SCFlareside

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Interesting thread! My '85 Flareside ("Silver") came with explorer package C, and it matches of course with the list in the brochure. If I'm correct, Flaresides didnt come in XLT trim? Package C made it a nicely optioned truck though.

Does anyone know what if any EXPLORER badging would have come on the flareside? It had a bright blue stripe package but dont see any explorer emblems or decals - decals may be long gone given the surface rust

1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s. California truck with 140k original miles :) (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production. NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s. Military 36.5s

Gary Lewis

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Administrator

I seem to have a bust in the 1985 Literature section as the link to the 1985 Explorer Program brochure actually takes you to a Bronco brochure. I'll see what I can figure out later.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

SCFlareside

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Thanks Gary!

Gsmblue

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

My friend picked up a 1983 explorer from another friend. I am going to help him clean it up, he is going to sell it...

Nothing Special

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

I no longer have it, but the '85 F-250HD I bought new in late '84 had the Explorer A package. I don't recall exactly what was included other than 2-tone paint. But I know that I wanted most of the things that came with the package, and it was cheaper getting them in the package than it was ala carte.

I've posted pictures of the truck and, I think, of some of the paperwork I had from the purchase on this site. Is there a way to look through whatever pictures I've posted to stick them in another thread like this one?

Bob
Sorry, no '80 - '86 Ford trucks
"Oswald": 1997 F-250HD crew cab short box, 460, E4OD, 4.10 gears
"Pluto": 1971 Bronco, 302, NV3550 5 speed, Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case, 33" tires
"the motorhome": 2015 E-450-based 28' class C motorhome, 6.8L V-10
"the Dodge": 2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7L Cummins

Rembrant

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

The 460 was reintroduced in 1983 in the F250's and heavier.

Interesting.

And the 351M and 400 were just 1980-1981, right?

Does that mean that the 300/6 and small blocks were the only options for 1982?

Sorry for the Hijack.

I'm following along with interest. I quite like the Explorers as well.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

salans7

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

The 400 was still available for 82, but the 351M was ditched in favor of the 351W.

Gary Lewis

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Administrator

salans7 wrote

The 400 was still available for 82, but the 351M was ditched in favor of the 351W.

Yes, and the 351W was introduced to replace the 351M.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Nothing Special

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Gary Lewis wrote

Yes, and the 351W was introduced to replace the 351M.

"Introduced" to the F-series, but the 351W had been around longer than the M. As I remember the story the M was created in about the '77 model year as a replacement for the 360 FE. The reason they didn't use the 351W at that time was that the Windsor production line was too close to capacity with cars and E-series vans, but the Cleveland line was well below capacity. So they made something more like a truck engine than the 351C that could be built on the Cleveland line. But by '82 Ford wasn't putting the Ws in many cars anymore so they had capacity to use that line for the F-series.

Gary Lewis

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Administrator

In reply to this post by SCFlareside

SCFlareside wrote

Interesting thread! My '85 Flareside ("Silver") came with explorer package C, and it matches of course with the list in the brochure. If I'm correct, Flaresides didnt come in XLT trim? Package C made it a nicely optioned truck though.
Does anyone know what if any EXPLORER badging would have come on the flareside? It had a bright blue stripe package but dont see any explorer emblems or decals - decals may be long gone given the surface rust

I don't have the 1985 Explorer Program brochure scanned in, and it is too big for my scanner. But, in looking through it I find no pictures whatsoever of a Flareside Explorer. No mention of a Flareside at all in the text, at least that I can find. Having said that, the Flareside is mentioned in the price sheet I've embedded below.

But, in the brochure it says:

An Explorer name badge is included on Packages "A", "B", and "C".

The Explorer tape stripe has been eliminated and replaced in 1985 by an Explorer Tu-Tone paint treatment.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

SCFlareside

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary this is really helpful, a big thank you!

If you have a chance, would you mind taking a snapshot of the "color compatability reference chart" on page 5?

SCFlareside

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Interesting stuff. So the explorer package was indeed available on the flaresides but there is a little footnote that says the exterior badge isn't available on the flareside.

They went to a two tone explorer paint scheme but my truck is only one color - bright silver metallic with the blue interior. It does look like deletion of the two tone was an option as well so that makes sense

Gary Lewis

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Administrator

In reply to this post by SCFlareside

Is this what you are looking for? I don't have time right now to scan the whole book, or even just the Color And Trim, tab in but here's Page 5:

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gary Lewis

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

Administrator

In reply to this post by SCFlareside

The reason the exterior badge isn't available on the Flaresides is because it went on the side of the bed.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Danny G

Re: Explorer Disscussion.

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

As the signature says, Big Blue is an XLT Lariat Explorer. And as the page below says, I think it is a Package B, but with a few things added, like the trailer package, aux battery, and a 460.

I didn't realize the brushed aluminum grill was available pre 1987. I thought that was a bricknose and OBS tailgate.

1986 F-150|Standard Cab|4x2|300Six|C6Transmission w/3.08 rear|Name:TBD
2021 Ranger XLT Super Crew