I was wondering how many people own a 1980 to 1986 F-series with the Explorer Special option. Would be interesting to know how many people still own them and if they have their original emblems or stripes.

 

i got a 81 f100 explorer,the person i got it from didnt take care of it, but it still has the hood ornament, and i plan on fixin it up. are these rare trucks???

 

I don't know if I have a explorer or not but I do have a 86 F250 HD Supercab 2WD none of the badges or stripes are on it.

 

They are limited edition trucks yes. As to how rare they are, that is the reason for the poll.

I have a tech album in my gallery about the 1968 to 1986 explorer specials with pictures of each year made.

The 1981 Explorer, had unique seat covers and colors, Color coded pinstripes, and a special two-tone option on the B, C, and D optional Explorer packages.

Explorer Package A: Standard

Tri Color Tape stripe in three color choices
Hood Ornament
Bedside nameplates
Unique seat covers in plaid or knitted faberic
Sport style wheel covers
Bright wheel lip moldings
Chrome grille
Chrome tailgate handle
Chrome straight rear bumper

Explorer Package B: includes package A

Unique tutone paint in five color choices
Cloth Headliner
Ranger door trim
Color Keyed floor mats
Security lock group

Explorer Package C: includes A and B

Ranger XLT Door Trim
Color keyed carpet
Woodtone interior
Deluxe steering wheel (soft grip)
Automatic transmission option
Power steering
Power Brakes
Air Conditioning
Tinted Glass
Am-Fm stereo
Tutone Delete option

Explorer Package D: includes A,B,C

Speed Control
Tilt Steering
Sports instrumentation (tach and trip)
Convenience group
Light Group
Aux fuel tank
Tutone delete option

The above is for the 1981, but others may be simular.

Hope this helps.

 

I have a 1983 F-100 Explorer with the hood ornament. though I am looking for a set of bed emblems. The last owner took them off when it was repainted. I love my truck it's in the galleries under 1983 F-100 called The Blue Angel.

 

your gallery says the truck died in hurracain katrina? did you get another one

 

The truck behind me , with the evil girl was the truck before the blue one. I gave it to my brother and we put a 300-6 in it, but hurricane Katrina smashed it againsta tree and flooded it. I t sits abandoned in Chalmette on blocks since I salvaged the rims and tailgate off of it. The blue truck is still running,and pulled 6 parades this past Mardi Gras. Unfortunetly some idiot pulled out in front of me right before new years and I hit him in the middle of his chebbie impala, so I need a new bumper and grill and head light covers. Though he needs a whole new drivers side!

 

so far I have had better luck finding Explorer F-series in the 73 to 79 forum than here. 9 trucks over there so far to only 3 here.

With the very early results of this poll, it's looking that our 80's are more rare than the 70's ones. Especially with the stripes intact.

Time will tell though. It will be interesting to know the rough figures in about a week.

 

hi. i have an 85 explorer f150. nice truck. are they rare?

 

I was hoping for a little more feedback from the poll, like I got on the 73-79 forum. But it looks like these trucks may be rare yes.

Or at least on these forums.

How many do you see around that say explorer on them, in your area?

In my area, it's around 5 seen every six months or so, 1972 to 1986.

So I'd say yes they are becoming more rare and harder to find, especialy with the stripes, if equipped.

 

81 f150 explorer. i will keep my eye out for them as i hever gave it much thought before. mine has the two tone paint with four stripes along the bottom.it has the plaid seats, wood grain dash,sliding rear window and gauges.it is also the xl model. is there any mechanical parts like suspension or something that makes them different? it is interesting anyway. maybe we dont see to many cause there all rotting away in the junkyard. who knows.anyway if you have more info let me have it. later

 

Nothing really to do with suspension, or anything mechanical. Just an options and trim level, package, that was limited and changed every year at the time. The four stripes, plaid seats you mention was part of the package. Along with air conditioning, tinted glass and other options grouped in the A-B-C or D options part of the package.

Look at my gallery and you will see a tech album and a picture of every year made.

In 1987, The Eddie Bauer Pickups became the limited edition F-series, or you can think of the King Ranch, that are avaiable today as an example of what the Explorer was at the time.
Though they were not equal by anymeans.

 

i am not sure if i have one or not, but my f-150 4x4 has some stripes runnin along the bottom that have 4x4 in them. there are pics in my gallery but they arent that close.

 

My 1980 F350 4x4 400 auto came out of the Richmond assembly plant as a Ranger with Explorer B package with handling, snow plow prep and trailer tow packages, as well. By 1985, the hood "bling" was gone along with the rust magnet SS fender trim, stripes and the plastic Explorer emblem on the tailgate. In total, by removing the Explorer exterior telltales, I reduced the weight of the truck by approximately 5 pounds, lol.

 

You could have the Freewheeling package. They came with stripes also. I don't know much more about them though, mostly came with a black grille. although on package "B" they did have fog lights, and wheel upgrades.