1978 F-150 Explorer Info Wanted
#1
07-08-2009, 03:42 PM
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1978 F-150 Explorer Info Wanted
Last week I bought my 90 yr. old ex Grandpaw-in-law's 1978 F-150 Ranger Explorer that he bought brand new in Aug '78. It is bone stock original right down to the functioning factory AM radio. It still has good factory original, yet faded, paint. It has 400, auto and A/C with 204 or 304K miles(he can't remember if it's turned over twice or three times). Regardless, it will still spin the back tires on pavement.
I have owned lots of Ford trucks over the years:
Two 1971 Sport Customs with 302/3sp on column.
Three 1978s- One F-100 Custom(302-3sp on column), a F-150 Ranger(had 360hp 351W crate motor when I bought it) the other an F-150 XLT Lariat(400/auto/cruise/etc).
I have also owned a meticulous 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT w/460, auto, A/C. The original paint was still shiney with not even a scratch in the bed floor. I paid $1,650 for it in '01, sold it a year later for quite a profit. (Sure wish I had kept that one!!)
My dad can top that list with all the 70's Fords he's owned in his 74 years and my 45 years of life.
I'm not new to the '70's Ford trucks but since I, or my dad, has never owned an Explorer I was wanting some info on these trucks if anyone can help out.
What is the "Explorer" package and how is it different from other packages?
Is the 400 a relatively rare engine in the Explorer? Most Explorers I have seen over the years were all 302s.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
THANX!
I have owned lots of Ford trucks over the years:
Two 1971 Sport Customs with 302/3sp on column.
Three 1978s- One F-100 Custom(302-3sp on column), a F-150 Ranger(had 360hp 351W crate motor when I bought it) the other an F-150 XLT Lariat(400/auto/cruise/etc).
I have also owned a meticulous 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT w/460, auto, A/C. The original paint was still shiney with not even a scratch in the bed floor. I paid $1,650 for it in '01, sold it a year later for quite a profit. (Sure wish I had kept that one!!)
My dad can top that list with all the 70's Fords he's owned in his 74 years and my 45 years of life.
I'm not new to the '70's Ford trucks but since I, or my dad, has never owned an Explorer I was wanting some info on these trucks if anyone can help out.
What is the "Explorer" package and how is it different from other packages?
Is the 400 a relatively rare engine in the Explorer? Most Explorers I have seen over the years were all 302s.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
THANX!
#2
07-08-2009, 04:39 PM
here's a brochure of the 78 explorer.
The one my dad bought in 1980 that im now restoring happens to be that exact color stripe package etc. One of two 78 explorer ONLY paint colors (midnite maroon and midnite jade)
<center>
<a href="http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/shanes66charger/?action=view¤t=78ExplorerBrochurejpg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/shanes66charger/78ExplorerBrochurejpg.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
</center>
cheers!
btw. mine was a 300-6 4-speed 2wd dual tanks with no a/c no cruise and no tilt.
The one my dad bought in 1980 that im now restoring happens to be that exact color stripe package etc. One of two 78 explorer ONLY paint colors (midnite maroon and midnite jade)
<center>
<a href="http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/shanes66charger/?action=view¤t=78ExplorerBrochurejpg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/shanes66charger/78ExplorerBrochurejpg.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
</center>
cheers!
btw. mine was a 300-6 4-speed 2wd dual tanks with no a/c no cruise and no tilt.
#3
07-09-2009, 07:34 AM
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#4
07-09-2009, 08:24 AM
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That sounds sweet, please post some pictures of it, I love the Explorers! I got my Explorer in a simular situation, where a older guy bought it used in 1978, and kept it in his barn when not in use.
In 1982 he had 71,000 on , and when I got it it has 80,151. He passed away at the end of 2007, (91 years old) and his family had an estate sale is how I got it. I hope you keep it original, as I am doing. But setting for ALL those years took its toll. But it's a lot of enjoyable work for the most part, and alot of the parts (mechanical) are easy to come by and are not all that expensive. It seems if it is bolted to it the rubber gaskets are leaking, or are soon to start leaking. Mine has the 300-6, my dad bought a 77 new which had the 302. The Explorer is a trim level, which I am a big fan of!
In 1982 he had 71,000 on , and when I got it it has 80,151. He passed away at the end of 2007, (91 years old) and his family had an estate sale is how I got it. I hope you keep it original, as I am doing. But setting for ALL those years took its toll. But it's a lot of enjoyable work for the most part, and alot of the parts (mechanical) are easy to come by and are not all that expensive. It seems if it is bolted to it the rubber gaskets are leaking, or are soon to start leaking. Mine has the 300-6, my dad bought a 77 new which had the 302. The Explorer is a trim level, which I am a big fan of!
#5
07-10-2009, 07:45 AM
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#6
07-10-2009, 09:21 AM
About a month ago I bought a 77 F100 Explorer with the same stripe as the above photo. 302, 3 speed and orange. In high school, I had a 73, 302, 3-speed, orange truck. Still working on it, but almost have it back on the road. In fact it is almost identicle to the photo other then white steel wheels. Does anyone make that stripe or will I have to paint it on the truck?
#7
07-10-2009, 11:31 AM
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#8
07-22-2009, 11:26 AM
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I like your truck! I actually like the '75-77 grille better than the '78-79. Right now it's bone stock except for some alum. wheels and tires. I am keeping the original wheels and hubcaps(wheelcovers). I have no desire to do anything modern to it other than get it painted some day.
I will try to take some pics soon and post them.
I will try to take some pics soon and post them.
#9
08-02-2010, 10:16 PM
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i got a '76 f100 orange with the stripes, almost looks like yours but my stripes are a bit different, back in 1976 my grandpa bought it brand new then in the 80's my dad bought it off of him and a couple of years ago my dad gave it to me, and now im buying a parts truck for it and im trying to get it to look like it did the day it left the factory!
i love the explorer trim!!!!!!!
i love the explorer trim!!!!!!!
#11
08-03-2010, 09:20 AM
Posting Guru
That sounds sweet, please post some pictures of it, I love the Explorers! I got my Explorer in a simular situation, where a older guy bought it used in 1978, and kept it in his barn when not in use.
In 1982 he had 71,000 on , and when I got it it has 80,151. He passed away at the end of 2007, (91 years old) and his family had an estate sale is how I got it. I hope you keep it original, as I am doing. But setting for ALL those years took its toll. But it's a lot of enjoyable work for the most part, and alot of the parts (mechanical) are easy to come by and are not all that expensive. It seems if it is bolted to it the rubber gaskets are leaking, or are soon to start leaking. Mine has the 300-6, my dad bought a 77 new which had the 351m. The Explorer is a trim level, which I am a big fan of!
In 1982 he had 71,000 on , and when I got it it has 80,151. He passed away at the end of 2007, (91 years old) and his family had an estate sale is how I got it. I hope you keep it original, as I am doing. But setting for ALL those years took its toll. But it's a lot of enjoyable work for the most part, and alot of the parts (mechanical) are easy to come by and are not all that expensive. It seems if it is bolted to it the rubber gaskets are leaking, or are soon to start leaking. Mine has the 300-6, my dad bought a 77 new which had the 351m. The Explorer is a trim level, which I am a big fan of!
#12
08-03-2010, 09:24 AM
Posting Guru
And if if this the bed you bought would you mind telling us what it went for?
#13
08-04-2010, 01:30 AM
. I don`t even know what the cab or front clips price was. The initial price wasn`t too bad but then he added a reserve fee and on top of that he added a shipping fee on a bed on a truck which he was bringing anyway
. But whatever, that bed is the best I have ever seen and has no putty or patch pannels, and it came with all the bed pieces and a origonal perfect $400 tailgate. That whole truck was factory new quality and was shameful to be parted but hey, I got a bed from it.
#14
08-04-2010, 03:29 AM
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The Explorer Package was a seasonal package, and is super goober awesome, and was available in the Spring. It was different every year. The Explorer package Either had the Ranger Package or the Custom Package added onto it. It should say Explorer on the Bedside, And Ranger on the GloveBox.
----------------------------------
The Ranger-XLT Package was the top of the line from 1970-1977.
And if you got it with a '73-'76 you got a really cool Red XLT Grille Badge.
------------------------------------
There was also a Ranger, a Custom, and in '78 the Ranger Lariat replaced the Ranger-XLT as the Top of the Line.
Now, For some Brochures....
What color is your Explorer....?
They Were available in a couple color, such as "Jade Green"
& "Grabber Blue" Which was first introduced in '71 or '72 on Passenger Cars...(If I remember correctly)
as well as "Burnt Orange"
As well as "Bright Lime"
The Explorer Package had A,B,C,D packages...Package D was just a Topper.
Here is a '79 Brochure advertisin' some of the Trim Packages I talked about.
---------------------------------
'73 F-100 Explorer Brochure:
And, Just for Laughs, Here's a '72 Explorer Brochure:
Here are the Emblems Used throughout the years:
'75 Explorer Hood Ornament:
Part Number: D5TZ-16850-A
'76-'77 Explorer Blue Hood Ornament:
Part Number: D6TZ-16850-B
'78-'79 Explorer Black Hood Ordament:
Part Number: D8TZ-16850-A
'73-'81 Explorer BedSide Emblem:
Part Number: D3TZ-9925622-D
Also used for the Tailgate in '80.
----------------------------------
The Ranger-XLT Package was the top of the line from 1970-1977.
And if you got it with a '73-'76 you got a really cool Red XLT Grille Badge.
------------------------------------
There was also a Ranger, a Custom, and in '78 the Ranger Lariat replaced the Ranger-XLT as the Top of the Line.
Now, For some Brochures....
What color is your Explorer....?
They Were available in a couple color, such as "Jade Green"
& "Grabber Blue" Which was first introduced in '71 or '72 on Passenger Cars...(If I remember correctly)
as well as "Burnt Orange"
As well as "Bright Lime"
The Explorer Package had A,B,C,D packages...Package D was just a Topper.
Here is a '79 Brochure advertisin' some of the Trim Packages I talked about.
---------------------------------
'73 F-100 Explorer Brochure:
And, Just for Laughs, Here's a '72 Explorer Brochure:
Here are the Emblems Used throughout the years:
'75 Explorer Hood Ornament:
Part Number: D5TZ-16850-A
'76-'77 Explorer Blue Hood Ornament:
Part Number: D6TZ-16850-B
'78-'79 Explorer Black Hood Ordament:
Part Number: D8TZ-16850-A
'73-'81 Explorer BedSide Emblem:
Part Number: D3TZ-9925622-D
Also used for the Tailgate in '80.
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