74 explorer
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: cabot
74 explorer
Hey guys. I've been looking for a explore like my dad had when I was a kid. Well
Today I found one. It's been sitting bout 10 yrs. it's LWB 390 auto factory air orange with white strip. No rust in cab or bed. But drivers door is rusted and passenger door damaged. Motor turns over by hand radiator was stolen several years ago he said. He wants me make an offer I'm not sure what's it worth I do know all the trim looks to be in nice shape. So what y'all think.
Today I found one. It's been sitting bout 10 yrs. it's LWB 390 auto factory air orange with white strip. No rust in cab or bed. But drivers door is rusted and passenger door damaged. Motor turns over by hand radiator was stolen several years ago he said. He wants me make an offer I'm not sure what's it worth I do know all the trim looks to be in nice shape. So what y'all think.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 759
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From: North Dakota
Paid $350 for mine, stored inside, minimal rust in the usual places. Fuel tank, carb kit, and fuel pump were all it absolutely needed to run and drive.
Start low, you can always go up...
Start low, you can always go up...
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
If he's saying it's a '74, he's mistaken. The Explorer side stripes changed every year. That one has the '73 side stripe. The '74 stripe looks similar but instead of a narrow stripe above and below the main wide stripe, the '74 stripe has two narrow stripes above the main stripe. Look on the driver's side door jamb for the paper federal cert sticker, that will give the month and year it was built. If that date (late '73 to late '74) shows it as a '74 next check the frame VIN and see if it is the same as the one on the door warranty plate and the federal cert sticker.
Your potential project "looks" rough (good for bargaining) but doesn't look that bad at all. Like the others have said, start low and you can always go up. I'd start around $300-$400 range and go from there.
Also, check the VIN. I'll bet the fourth digit is a "Y". That means its a 360, not a 390. Like everyone says, 360's "magically" become 390's on sale day.
Your potential project "looks" rough (good for bargaining) but doesn't look that bad at all. Like the others have said, start low and you can always go up. I'd start around $300-$400 range and go from there.
Also, check the VIN. I'll bet the fourth digit is a "Y". That means its a 360, not a 390. Like everyone says, 360's "magically" become 390's on sale day.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: cabot
I ended up buying the truck for $500. I'm going bring it home this weekend. He said he have the title when I pick it up guess I'll know for sure what year. The date on decal 8/73 so I'm guessing it's a 73 like you said. I'll post some pictures and info after I get her home. Thanks for everyone's help!
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I ended up buying the truck for $500. I'm going bring it home this weekend. He said he have the title when I pick it up guess I'll know for sure what year. The date on decal 8/73 so I'm guessing it's a 73 like you said. I'll post some pictures and info after I get her home. Thanks for everyone's help!
Definitely post more pictures....we love pictures.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
$500? Decent deal !! Congrats. Heck, a straight grill shell is worth $100 or more. ....Repro is upwards of $550! In other words, protect that grill shell!!!!!
... and it has all the Dentside molding and other trim which appears to be in solid condition. You're miles ahead in my opinion.
I recommend cleaning out the cowl and footwell vent bowls as soon as you get it home. It looks like it has been sitting under a tree so the bowls are probably filled with debris... mulch is more like it. Cleaning them out will reduce the encouragement of rust during these wet winter months. In fact, I'd do a head to toe and front to back cleaning... you'll feel better about it too. And ya won't get dirty every time you work or even get near the rig.
Again, congratulations. Get 'er back on the road. She deserves it.
... and it has all the Dentside molding and other trim which appears to be in solid condition. You're miles ahead in my opinion.
I recommend cleaning out the cowl and footwell vent bowls as soon as you get it home. It looks like it has been sitting under a tree so the bowls are probably filled with debris... mulch is more like it. Cleaning them out will reduce the encouragement of rust during these wet winter months. In fact, I'd do a head to toe and front to back cleaning... you'll feel better about it too. And ya won't get dirty every time you work or even get near the rig.
Again, congratulations. Get 'er back on the road. She deserves it.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2012
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Question of curiosity---does anyone make those stripes that were on the Explorer pickups? I don't see them offered by any of the vendors but maybe a pin stripe shop can?? I had a 73 Explorer but wanted an F250 so I sold it without inquiring.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
I'm planning on painting my stripes back on. It is going to be a bc/cc paint and the stripes are going under the clear so I won't have a cracking/peeling problem like the original stripes would eventually do.
I located a factory stripe kit just to use as a pattern. And yes, the paper won't peel off.
As far as I know, no one reproduces them. I contacted a couple of places including Phoenix Graphics and neither was interested in making them, that's why I decided to paint them on.