i've got an 86 f-150 xlt lariat explorer, its a mouthfull

 

yes it is. i have an 85 of the same breed. just fipfloped on the 2 tone tho

 

Here is my new "work in progress" It's an 84 F150 explorer as you can tell it has seen better days but I really love this truck and plan to bring her back to life

 

I have a 85 F150 Explorer XLT Lariat. I am not sure on which package... It is all original.

 

Both of my built Ford's chassis's started life under 86 F250 XLT Lariat EXplorers, and the 86 F250 is one too.

 

So these trucks are rare?

 

ok, well since I'm not so bright at times, I'm not sure what ur refering to as an " explorer special" so heres what my 86 4x4 is..... 86 f 150 4x4 xlt explorer lariat with the camper package on it. Has 3850 rear springs, 3250 fronts. 2 tone grey/grey paint with silver/red/silver pin strips on top, chrome trim on the bottom, chrome grill, bumperets, painted hd step bumper. air/tilt/cruise, power windows, power door locks, slideing rear window, am/fm cassette, wood grain trim, full gauges cept no tach ( auto) soft burgandy seat with matching carpet, and head liner. 302 efi aod trans with a np 208 transfer case and manual hubs ( could have been auto hubs originally) under the hood it had an original factory wireing harness and plugs for hooking your camper/ travel trailer electrical plug ins too, and at one point, it had dual batteries in it and isolator ( removed when the truck was traded at dealer)

It has the f 150 badges on the front fender, the lariat badges on the side of the cab, in line with the window and the explorer badges on the box and the XLT emblem on the dash. It also had running boards and fender flares on it at one time.

 

yeh well i forgot to mention my 82 F100 is an explorer special but not real sure what the difference is it has the strip down the side with explorer painted into the strip. wood grain bezels in the dash, ac, no tilt, no cruise, manual windows and locks, sliding rear window, no tach. not real sure if its actually original can someone help me????????

 

Yes, they are rare.

The Explorer Special package began in 1968 and lasted until 1986.

They were only avaliable a few months out of the year, and were year specific. No two years were alike. (although 1973 and 1974 are simular). It also didn't feature in the main brochure, it featured it's very own special brochure.

Also the Explorer Special Featured options and accessories not avaliable on the other models.

Special Explorer Specific paint colors, and tu-tone schemes, special interior seat fabric and designs, and explorer specific striping, and they are all year specific.

And that's just to name a few things.

 

your Truck looks like a Explorer Package B, truck from the pictures in your gallery.

It has the Explorer Tu-tone that was avaliable only for the 1982 model, and it has the stripe, year specific to the 1982.

The Wheel Covers are not original, but the paint seems to be. (The Wheel Covers should be the ones like on my 1981.) Also those door panels are not original.

If you look into my Photo galary, you will see pictures of my 1981.

Each Year of Explorer is Different, however I will post the differences with the 1981 Explorer Packages to give you a round about idea. As I said, your year model may vary.

1981 EXPLORER PACKAGE A: (Explorer Base Model package)

1: Explorer Tri-Color Tape Stripe (Bodyside and tailgate) in three color choices.
2: Explorer Nameplate
3: Explorer Hood Ornament
4: Sport Wheel Covers
5: Bright window molding.
6: Wheelip Molding
7: Chrome Grille
8: Chrome Tailgate Release Handle
9: Custom trim series avaliable in unique plaid cloth and vinyl or knitted vinyl.

PACKAGE B:

1: Includes Package A.
2: Unique tu-tone paint configuration.
3: Cloth Headliner and Moldings
4: Ranger (Later XL) door trim panels.
5: Color Keyed Floor Mats
6: Security Lock Group.

PACKAGE C:

1: Includes package A and B.
1: Ranger XLT (Later XLT) door Panels.
2: Color Keyed Carpet.
3: Woodtone Instrument Panel
4: Deluxe Steering Wheel.
5: Automatic Transmission (Requires 5.0L on 4x4 units)
6: Power Steering
7: Power Brakes
8: Air Conditioining
9: Tinted Glass
10: AM/FM Stereo
11: Tu-tone delete option.

PACKAGE D:

1: Includes Packages A, B, and C.

2: Speed Control
3: Tilt Steering
4: Sports Instrumentation
5: Convenience Group
6: Light Group
7: Auxilery Fuel Tank
8: Tu-tone Delete Option

Hope this helps.

 

yeh i knew the door panels, and wheel covers werent i basically knew that. and i was about 100% sure the paint was original. just had to double check i know what all is original quite a bit ain't but im gonna try to find original color door panels for it and im trying to find some 15 in. ranger wheels to find. uncle stosh found some for me but i just dont have the money to pay for the shipping right now

 

i guess mines D package, i got wood grain bezels, ac, tilt, cruise, manual windows, power locks, sliding rear window, and tach. i also belive its the tow package, original pinstripe and badges (as far as i know).... its a nice piece

 

i'm wanting to flipflop my 2 tone tan and brown

 

Especially one in as good a condition as his.

 

Thanks, I try to keep it up as best as i can.