I have a 2wd F100 truck that I've been working on.
I haven't been able to find a decoder that goes past the vin.
It currently has a 302 but I know it was originally a 6 cyl. and make in Norfolk, VA.
It is an orange explorer, 3-speed, no AC, no PS, no PB, long box regular cab. The Carb tag shows the engine probably came from a 73 Torino.

The Door tag reads: F10BNX94616
WB133, Color 2, Type F101, Body MU4, Trans C, Axle 14,
Max GVWR 04700, 1977 DSO 24.

The firewall buck tag reads:
059 F10BNX94616
2 V 33 4 M 26AC
There is also a buck tag on the front of the box.

I haven't contacted Kevin Marti yet, just wondering if there is a place to decode the basic codes. Been working on the truck all this summer and pretty much just needs fresh paint. Fairly solid as the truck came from down south and has been stored for the past 15 years.
Thank you,
Shane

 

F10BNX94616
F10=F100 2WD
B=300 CID 6 cyl. 1bbl carb
N=Norfolk assy. plant
X94616 Consecutive serial number

WB 133= 133" wheelbase (longbed)
Color 2= medium copper metallic
Type F101= 4700 gvw pickup F100 2wd
Body MU4= Doesn't decode right. M=Ranger XLT trim U= bench seat 4=custom cab with styleside bed.
Trans C= 3spd. Ford manual transmission
Axle 14= 3.00 Ford axle 3.6 m capacity (non-locking, no power steering)
GVW 04700= 4700 Gross vehicle weight
1977=model year
DSO 24= Jacksonville District
I don't know if anyone can decode the buck tags.

 

I will double check the body code. Jacksonville makes sense because there is an inspection sticker dated 81 from Florida and a Florida radio station bumper sticker. The guy I bought it from said it came from AZ. Not the only thing he was wrong about either. The color is confusing because the truck is orange inside and out and I can't see where it's been changed or even repainted.
Is there somewhere on line that decodes some of these options, as I haven't been able to find anything.
Thanks,

 

It's an Explorer Special Limited edition model. It could have Ranger XLT interior trim, and be a Custom at the same time.

The Explorer didn't follow "normal" rules. It had special rules all it's own.

They didn't feature in the normal sales brochure, they had their own when they were avaliable. They were only made a few months out of each year, and no two years were the same.

 

I looked in a different section of the parts book and the "MU" does decode as Explorer trim, tan vinyl and tan cloth. That would go with the medium copper metallic paint.
I know you say you have an orange truck, I believe you. This wouldn't be the first time I've seen trim and paint codes not jive with what the vehicle actually was.

 

I do have the tan plad cloth and vinyl seat with the explorer package. I was thinking the plad seat to be an explorer option. The interior is bright orange, but the exterior is alittle more dull. I assumed that is from faded paint. I'll do alittle more looking into it. My interior is the same as Tees77f150 truck and his is copper metalic. Mine could be that color but appears to be a brighter orange. More like the Vista color I've seen on this site. I should just take the time and get the ford option sheet.

 

Does the truck have it's original Explorer stripes?

If it does, then it's a factory paint...

If not, it's possible it's been repainted, or had the stripe delete option.

Look for signs of the stripe on the paint, if removed, as the paint will show different signs of fading if it was removed at a latter date.


would like to see a pic of this explorer.

 

Here ya go,....







And the motor it would have came with,...









Shane, thow some pictures of yours up!!

 

Harold, that's one sharp looking Explorer you've got. Like your copilot/guard dog too!

 

Thanks, Mike, I like it too, I think I got real lucky finding this one fresh out of the barn! Thats my buddy Bub, he loves to ride in my dent and hang out the window sucking up the air. I think he would drive if I let him. A VERY smart pup, if he grew some thumbs he would be on his way!!

 

Sure is a nice truck Harold. I can email picutures, but I'll work on getting pic's posted. See if I can get some help with that tonight.
It does have the factory explorer stripes just like the truck above. Almost identicle. Must have been lightly hit in the front as the hood and right fender have been changed and were never striped. The grill is stamped 73 and an earlier style so that makes sense as well. Still seems a brighter orange.

 

Great, we would love to see it, I think Mike is right with my dad's, I think it was Coral, and not the vista orange which was used on broncos. the color code list the coral, but denotes it as unique to San Jose. I know when we worked at Bill Forbes Ford in Carlisle the majority of the vehicles came from New Jersey as it was closer to ship. We did get some from Detroit, as well as Kentucky.

While I worked there, I drove hundreds of new dentsides around. I remember when you pulled them in, the wheel covers were always on the passenger floor all wrapped together in a clear thick plastic, with thin sheets of cardboard between each wheel cover.

I always looked for anything interesting left behind, but I only ever found was dash screws, and on occasion a coffee cup under the seat.

My truck as well as my dad's looks to be different shades of orange depending on if it was sunny, or cloudy out. I am going to try an scan a few pictures of my dad's truck and post them too.

 

Well, here are a few pictures I scanned of my dad's truck. I don't know why, but the scanner puts a strange color to them.

PS: I have no clue how these are going to look.

This is the winter of 1989 setting in the driveway.


This is my dad and my younger sister in 1985 going to cut a little wood.



This is my dad, looks to be fall of the year, but the pictures is marked Jan 1986. I am guessing that was when it was developed. So I think it is fall of 1985. Look at the extra trim he put on the tail gate all OEM he got at cost, except the piece he has his hand on, is after market.



This is earlier that same day,(less wood on the truck, wearing same clothes)



This is after my brother's wife hit a deer. If I can read the inspection sticker right it is 1997. The last I saw the truck the rear fender wells were rusted off, and the cab roof was rusting through pretty good. He sold it for $200 for parts, it went to Gettysburg.



the Pa state seal plate on the front, it now cleaned up and on the front of my dent. They were real popular around here in the 70's. I still see plenty of them around. usually on older people's vehicles. Did I just insult myself?......

 

I love hearing about the family history that is behind a lot of these trucks. While some of them aren't directly involved in the history, they were bought because they bring back fond memories of an earlier time in someones life.
Let's keep the stories and pictures coming.

 

Thanks for posting the pictures. I found the photo's of my high school explorer, but need help getting them scanned. Hopefully tonight.