I went ahead and pulled all the stuff out, and looked through the paperwork, and it seems I was wrong. It does show the Explorer package. I missed it the first time I looked over it.

 

fordzilla- What do you mean by ordered an option sheet? Is there a way to get the original paper work on these trucks? That would be handy... I have found the build sheets in the seats of trucks at the wrecker, but of course neither of my trucks have it.

 

It's not a factory build sheet,but it's a letter that states what options your vehicle was originally ordered with.Here's the link to a thread about it.It has info on how to get it from Ford.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...from-ford.html

This thread has a pic of what it'll look like.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7560541

 

I dunno. My Explorer trim truck has a hood ornament and tailgate badge that have Explorer written on them. Kinda handy, since it has had a respray at some point in the last 30 years, though the lousy respray job has lasted longer than the factory paint did....... The original paint is making a comeback though. It was that lousy of a respray....
Yes, some of the newer models only had tape stripes and the Explorer was also in tape, but not all trucks were made like that.

 

I think it had to with the package.I've seen 85's that have the plastic emblem on the bedside.And i've seen 83's with the Explorer in the tape stripe.

 

It was more specific to the year as well. I believe it was 80-82 had the ornament, 83-84 had the pinstripe with the Explorer moniker within the stripe. After 84, there was no more pinstripe. So if you've got an 83-84, and it gets painted over, you'll lose all Explorer "badging". I wanted to keep that on mine, so I had the guy who's painting retain it. I think it's cool to have that on the side of it.

 

My 83 F150 was an Explorer Package truck.

Sand beige with the 83 stripes in dark red, tan/beige vinyl weave interior, aluminum fender flares, etc.

I read somewhere that the package included 3.08:1 rear on straight 6 trucks, no idea if that's right.

 

You would be correct. Mine has the 3:08 rear end. Not sure what years that was an option though.

 

Very bizarre that the door tag says 16 which = 3.55.

 

The 1985 Explorer style featuring the stripes along the bottom is probably my favorite factory paint job ever done a truck. I grew up riding around in my dad's blue and white 85 Explorer Lariat (blue velour-type seat, matching door panel inserts, push-bumper with black plastic inserts) and I swear if I ever see another one just like it, I will do anything short of breaking the law to get my hands on it. Definitely have a soft spot for the Explorer line and enjoy threads and galleries like these.