Hi All!

I recently bought my 78 F150 Ranger/Explorer and am trying to locate a stripe kit to replace the original stripes - they are "chamois/orange" and loop around the side indent from front to rear. Anyone know where I can get a NOS stripe kit or reproduction of the original stripes?

I'll be posting photos next week. So far I've removed the junky aluminum runnin' boards and black rear mud-flaps with reflectors. This truck is nearly identical to the one my grandfather bought new in 78. The only differences are: His had roof-top running lights and A/C, and AM/FM radio. Mine has none of those. But the interior/exterior are the same colors. His had the 400M and was full-time 4x4. Mine is the 351M and part-time 4x4. The previous owner of mine had it since 1984, only put 24k miles on it in 19 years - it now has 86,777 and is all original paint - has a couple dents in the tailgate and surface rust on both sides and tailgate, but NO rust-through!!! I'm pretty excited about doing an "off-frame" restoration. Will post photos as I progress. The truck is maroon with red interior.

Any guidance on restoration parts sources is greatly appreciated. I've already learned about Autokrafters and NPD through your posts and have already requested catalogs from each...THANKS!!

Scott

 

Sounds like a nice pickup...

Your best bet would be to take the pickup to a auto decal shop and have them make some, or have a body shop paint them on.

Marty

 

I have answered this many times.

You Won't find this anywhere.

In 1981 I needed a hood section for my 78 only to find out that the kit they did have was all dried up from heat of the storeroom.

I hope you have a good picture and a sample of it because it can be duplicated.
Take it to any Pin-striping company and have them make you a new one or do what I did <>Paint it on.
The price is usually cheaper for striping but the paint looks better.

Maybe do a search for *Explorer Pin-striping* in this and Appearance forum.

 

78Explorer, good advice here! Were very lucky these days to have computer operated stripe machines that can duplicate just about any design. Many Sign Companies have these machines and have the ability to reproduce your stripes on quality 3M tape.

I have a NOS Stripe kit for my 1975 Explorer that has been sitting in Cool / Dry Storage for about 15 years, but chances are when I go to restore my truck I'll probably just have new ones made.

Good Luck!

Dan Herrmann - (An early original FTE member since the begining!)
1964 F100 Custom Cab
1969 F100 Ranger
1975 F150 Explorer
1978 F150 Ranger XLT - Stolen
1986 F150 XLT Lariat
1992 F150 Custom - Daily Driver

 

The adhesives have improved in the last 15 years if nothing else

 

Thanks ALL for the great replies!

I'm sure when I get to the point of installing new stripes, I'll opt for newly repro'd stripes from a local graphics shop. My step-dad and brother have both had decals made there. My step-dad has a beautiful 64 Thunderbolt (Fairlane) clone and a 70 Yenko Deuce Nova clone - had all his decals and stripes made and they look GREAT!

I love this forum! Knowledgeable folks willing to help!!!

 

Shop hard before buying aftermarket stripes. I went through 10 different companies before having them made. Quotes from $800 to $3200. Finally found a decent price with quality work I could put my hands on. Put the time and effort into researching these companies. I had exact measurements and colors for every run on my truck. In the end the company that did the work, only needed pictures of the truck and the original color scheme to make it work.

 

Very nice, Clint! WAY back when I posted that, I had my "78 Explorer"...long since gone. But I may be needing some stripes for my '93 F150. The bed is going to need repairs or replacement...either way I may go with new stripes. Your advice is sound.

 

sounds like you described my truck!

 

yep!!! That's it...only mine was a "maroon" 'ish red. That's a SHARP truck you got there!

 

Wow! Gorgeous truck!

 

thanks! mine looks like a really dark brown color.

thank you!

 

Let me know if you ever get tired of it (seriously!)