Hello all,

I own a 1986 F-250 EXPLORER. Does anyone have any idea what the "Explorer" package was? I've owned the truck since 1988 and have only seen 3-4 others in this time. It's equiped with 5.8 4V HO, C-6 trans. A/C, P/S, P/B, sliding rear window, duel tanks, 3.55 and custom rear bumper. I have no idea what part of this is "EXPLORER." Thanks for any ideas. Jim

 

To the best of my knowledge the Explorer pkg was a trim package Ford had in the mid-70's. I had a beautiful dark red '77 F150 with the Explorer package that I got more compliments on than just about any vehicle I've owned ... and I've had some nice ones.

IIRC the pkg (specifically on the '77 version) was an XLT with a fancier seat, swing away chrome mirrors, 5 spoke full disc hubcaps, bumper guards, an "Explorer" hood ornament and two different white stripes that 1) angled on the hood and 2) ran down the sides to the rear of the box where they swelled to surround the big chrome "Explorer" logos. There was also a fancier tailgate too, I think...

Here's some pics of 77's I found in the photo gallery:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...?&albumid=2931
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...?&albumid=1027

I always thought the 77's were the sharpest! One of the years had some "rainbow" stripes that looked really! cheesy

I liked the "Explorer" logos so much that I added them to "Clyde" (see signature) as part of setting it up to pull my fifth-wheel camper. I suspect that may be how the ones you have came to be on an '86.
__________________
Roger

Clyde S Dale - 1984 F250HD 4X2 460-C6-3.55
5th Wheel Towing Workhorse.
63,000 original miles

 

Thanks, renelson177

Decided to call Ford and see what they could tell me about an 1986 F-250 Explorer. They said it was a trim package but, couldn't tell me what trim. They said it was a rare truck. In the 1980-86 years few were made. Most were F-150 4X4. Now, I also have a 04 F-150 screw 4X4, 5.4, 3.73LS. So my explorer will just continue to raise elebrows. Jim

 

Does your truck have two tone paint or pinstriping? Because all of the explorer trucks ive ever seen just had some fancy pinstriping down the side. Thats the only thing that i think the explorer package was. and most of those trucks were XL's or customs.

 

There's two thin stripes running the length and some thin stripping on the tail gate. How many have you seen? Just interested. If you were to look at the difference between XL and custom it would be IMHO a stretch that explorer was only pin stripes. Jim

 

Ive seen maybe 50- 100 trucks with the explorer package. In fact I had a 79 F100 custom with the explorer package and it had pinstriping on the hood and sides. Also a guy at my work has a 85 F150 XL explorer and it is a two tone with stripes just on the side. It has all the standatd equipment of a XL, nothing more.Also the 80-81 explorer trucks had a hood ornament, instead of the emblem on the side.

 

I've also seen a lot of explorer's, mostly mid seventies models. Two or three 80-86. The service mgr. I spoke with today stated most were F-150 4X4. Why he'd say that I don't know. Mine is 4X2. The only I.D. emblem on mine is at the rear of the cargo box. No XL, XLT, etc. Thats the only identification on the truck. I know this is just a trim package and has nothing to do with other equipment and options. Do all XL have chrome front bumpers and stainless mirrors? Just curious of what a 1986 explorer package is on a F-250 4X2, 5.8L 4v HO, AC, PS, PB, rear slider, custom rear bumper w/tow. The serv.manager told me one of his tech. has a 85 4X4 explorer. Might have to go see on my next service call. Jim

 

All 80-86 ford trucks come stock with a chrome front bumper. Excluding a XLS. On the XL's the western swing away mirrors were optional, they came standard with the "passenger car" type mirrors.

 

Went to Ford today with posts in hand. Started in service with my original question "What makes an explorer---an explorer." A lot of different suggestions but, no-body knew for sure. Next stop the parts department. The parts books showing different parts for explorer but, unable to make a package. Example, as you stated regarding bumpers. Explorer bumper was listed chrome not back paint. Grilles, three types, one was charcoal, silver/black, and chome/lt gray listed for the explorer and others. On to sales in the hope they have old sales bouchure's. No bouchure's but, they do have some older books that salesmen use showing all equipment and packages. Its downtown in storage going that far back. They're going to call me when they fine the book. If it turns out you're right about explorer only emblems and stripes--that's great. This is one great performing truck. Only negative is it being carbureted and becoming more difficult to smog. Jim

 

In 1984, my dad bought a brand-new 84 F150 Explorer. It was a 2WD XLT. I was a very nice truck. It was red with silver along the bottom and a silver roof. It had orange pinstriping down the side of the truck that had the word Explorer in it by the back of the bed. The FORD letters on the tailgate were orange. The interior was red with a cloth seat with plaid pattern in the middle. It had woodgrain trim on the door panels and dash. It had a lot of fancy options such as air conditioning, AMFM cassette deck, power door locks, cruise control, and sliding rear window. The engine was a 351 high output and I think it came with a 4bbl carb.

 

I bought my 84 F150 new and it had the explorer package which was a trim package as said above. The cost was 451.00 CAN $ that was for package "A"
according to my orginal bill. I still drive it occasionally. Other than the striping, foam headliner, full disc hub caps. I don't see much differance.

 

I've got an 85 XLT Explorer 4x2. It doesn't have the striping or 2 tone paint. It's just a kind of off red. Judging by the paint I'd say it's original.

Keith

 

Wow, I was going to ask a question about this myself. I've got a 1985 F250 XLT Lariat Explorer according to all the emblems on it. Was really confused about it all, cause I'm new to Ford products and I only know of the Explorer SUVs of today.

The truck is two tone brown with a brown/tan interior, is a factory 351 4 barrel/C6. Engine is long gone though, I am in the process of getting it back on the road.

 

My dad has a 1985 F350 4x4 XLT, Lariat, Explorer that he ordered new. It is solid blue with a chrome strip down the upper crease of the bed. He also has a 1985 F150 4x2 XLT, Lariat, Explorer that is solid gray with the same chrome strip. Explorer was probably an option package that had several items included in the package. The sales books will probably list these packages. I didn`t realize they had the Explorer package in 1986.

 

According to Ford F100/F150 Pickup by Robert Ackerson this is the Explorer package for the 1983 F150 and is as close as I could get to an 86 F250. I have a 1985 F-250 XL Explorer with 351 HO, C6, 3.55s and limited slip front and rear, but it is odd because it has a vinyl floor and seat. Here are the Packages.
Explorer Package A:
Explorer body side tape stripe treatment with matching tailgate letters
Sport Wheel Covers
Bright Moldings on Wheellips and rear window
Unique Horizontal Pleat cloth and vinyl or knitt vinyl seat trim
color-keyed seat pivot covers and black seat back trim
XL level door trim headliner and moldings, floor mats and scuff plates
Explorer Package B: Package A Plus
Chrome grill and tailgate handle
Chrome rear contour bumper or step bumper at extra cost
XLT level door trim and carpet
XL-level seat belts and woodtone instrument panels
Explorer Package C:
Air conditioning and tinted glass (both could be deleted)
Tilt steering with power steering and Fingertip Speed Control.
AM/FM monaural radio (others at extra cost)
Auxiliary fuel tank
Light and Convience groups