I Have A 1981 Ford F-150 Ranger Truck And It Has "explorer Decals" On The Back Of Both The Bed Sides, Does Anyone Know Why? I Know That The Ranger Decals Stood For What Trim Line It Has But Im Not Sure About What The Explorer Means? Please Help Me Out!

 

The Explorer was a trim line, just like XL, XLT, Lariat, etc. The pickups used that name from the 1970's, long before there was a SUV called an Explorer (1991).

 

so the ranger decals and the explorer decals both stood for different trim lines?
is there any written material that you know of that would explain the differences a little more in detail? was it common to have more than one trim line on one truck? thanks for the help, grover

 

The basic truck was called a Custom...then there updated trim lines like Ranger, that got wheel lip mouldings, nicer interior, etc. Then added to the Ranger package were more goodies...using names/letters like XLT or Explorer.

So the customer could have a Ranger XLT, a Ranger Explorer, etc.

There's a couple a savvy fellows here with all kinds of references. You might also 'explore' the gallery for pics.

 

I know a lot about the 1981 Explorer, I have one, with the factory type stripes.

Check out my gallery.

I also have the 1981 Explorer factory brochure too. The scans are not that great of it though.

The Explorer between 1968 an 1986 is basicly a limited edition trim and option group for the F-series, and in the earlier years, the Bronco, Little Ranger trucks, rancheros etc....


Does it have the factory pinstripes still?

What color is yours? Mine is Dark caramel Metalic.

If you post all the saftey Certificate codes, I can even decode them for you, and tell you what color paint you have from the factory, what color interior, axle codes, tranny codes, the whole nine yards.

I have most all of the literature for the 1981.

Feel free to ask anything, I'm sure I have a book about it, somewhere.

And Welcome to the forum!

 

Think of the Explorer as a special limited edition. Like the Eddie Bauer, or King Ranch trucks of today.


I'll post the basic 1981 Explorer features and package lists in a few moments.

The Explorer wasn't featured in the main brochure, and had it's seperate brochure, because it was a limited edition trim and option group, that could be changed or discontinued at any time. Also the typical Explorer "run" only lasted a few months a year.

Here is the 1981 F-series Pickup Brochure. It will help explain what the basic trim lines were for 1981.

http://www.fedrelandsvennen.no/amcar...81fp/81fp.html

 

The Ranger was the "Series Line" of Light Trucks

They referred to it as an "Advanced Styling" Line of trucks.

The XL,XLT ,Lariat ,Explorer were trim lines which fell under the Ranger series

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...urePhotos.html

 

grover...I told you there were savvy guys here.

 

Here's the information right from the 1981 Explorer Brochure.


Model Avaliability:

F-100, F-150, F-250, and F-350 (except Chassis cabs.

Regular Cab and Super Cab. (LWB, SWB)

4x2, and 4x4 Modles.


Explorer Package A:

1: Explorer tri-color tape stripe, (Bodyside and tailgate) in three color choices.
Dark Blue/Medium Blue/Light Blue
Light Orange/Brown/Light Chamois
Red Orange/Dark Red/Coral

2: Explorer Nameplates

3: Explorer Hood Ornament

4: Sport Wheel Covers

5: Bright rear window moldings

6: Chrome Grille

7: Chrome Tailgate release handle

8: Wheelip Moldings

9: Custom Seat trim avaliable in the following: Unique Plaid, or Knitted Vinyl in the color choices of: Medium Blue, Red, or Nutmeg.

10: Special Exterior Colors Choices:

Raven Black
Wimbledon White
Silver Metalic
Med. Gray Met.
Candyapple Red
Maroon
Mid. Blue Met.
Medium Blue Met
Dark Chamois Met
Tan
Medium Blue Glow
Dark Caramel Met.

Explorer Package B:

1: Package A:

2: Unique tutone paint configuration in five special choices:
Candyapple Red/Silver Met,
Medium Gray Met./Raven Black,
Medium Blue Glow/Mild Blue Met.(reverseable)
Dark Chamois Met./ Tan

3: Cloth Headliner and Moldings except Supercab

4: Ranger Door Trim

5: Color Key Floor mats

6: Security Lock Group

Explorer Package C:

1: Explorer Package B

2: Ranger XLT door trim in lieu of Ranger trim.

3: Color Keyed Carpet, in lieu of floor mats

4: Woodtone instrument panels

5: Deluxe Steering wheel

6: Automatic Transmission, (Requires 5.0L engine on 4x4 units)

7: Power Steering and Brakes

8: Air Conditioning

9: Tinted Glass

10: Am/FM stereo

11: Tutone Delete option

Explorer Package D:

1: Package C

2: Speed Control

3: Tilt Steering wheel

4: Sports Instrumentation

5: Convenience group

6: Light Group

7: Auxillery Fuel Tank

8: Tutone Delete option.

Option Restrictions

The following options are not avaliable on explorer packages.

1: Tutones: Regular/Deluxe/Combination/Victoria.

2: Upper bodyside protection molding

3: Full Trim Levels Ranger, Ranger XLT, or Lariat, (except what is offered in the Explorer packages, B, C, or D).

(#3 is confusing, what it means is Package A: is Custom, Package B: Has some but not all Ranger trim, Package C: Has some but not all Ranger XLT trim etc... You cant have a Ranger XLT with Explorer Package A for instance, it has to be Package C.)

4: Free wheeling Package

5: Seat trim, All Vinyl or heavy duty.

6: Captains Chairs

7: Lower Bodyside Protection Molding

8: Any factory stripes other than the explorer stripes.

9: Tie Down Hooks.

============================

I hope this helps...

 

you guys are awesome! i never thought Id get this much info back! I was aking for my
father as the truck he has was hand down by his father and we have been restoring it and always wondered why it had all three decals and no one has ever been able to tell us the answer to it. he is gonna be so happy about this information! oh and nice scans on the brochure, they look really good! thanks for all the info! Im gonna turn this over to my dad and im sure hell wanna know what the color name is and stuff (81-F-150-Explorer you guys have a good holiday!

 

Here's what happened with Explorers in 78.

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...rochurejpg.JPG

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...ochureBack.jpg