1980 - 1981 Picture Request
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Well, actually, it was used in the late 70's & 80, and has Explorer written in it. I have seen it listed as 80-84 in some reproduction parts books (such as LMC), but a ford parts counter guy told me they dropped it after 80. Another guy at ford salvage saw my truck, and instantly recognised it as an 80, also claiming that oranment wasn't used after 1980. I'm just going off what I was told......
1980 Explorers, Had Hood Ornament, Explorer Stripes, Tailgate Nameplate.
1981 Explorers, Had Hood Ornament, Explorer Stripes, Bedside Nameplates.
The 1980 Tailgate Nameplate is the same as the 1973-1979 and 1981 bedside nameplates. Try to get a bedside nameplate for the 1981, and they will give you the 1985-1986 nameplate. They will also say the 1981 has a Explorer tailgate nameplate, it does not.
Just a heads up.
My 1981 has the Explorer ornament. I Have the 1981 Explorer Special Brochure and it is featured prominately in that brochure. It was dropped in 1982 (At least in the US. Mexican Built F-series Pickups also had Explorers etc...)
The Explorer Hood Ornament Used in the 70's was slightly different, as the hood mount was changed due to the hoods being different.
There was also a hood ornament almost identical to the Explorer Hood Ornament. Wreath with three lions, Black. Fits 1980-1981.
Hope this helps.
==========================
EDIT:
Here are scans of the 1981 Explorer Pickups Brochure, and scans of the 1981 Pickup Sales Brochure.
1981 Explorer Brochure Pg 1:
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/q...scan0001-2.jpg
1981 Explorer Brochure Pg 2:
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/q...scan0002-7.jpg
My 1981 Explorer F-150 Front Profile:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=95717&.jpg
My 1981 Explorer F-150 Left Side Profile:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=95711&.jpg
My 1981 Explorer F-150 Rear Profile:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=48051&.jpg
1981 Pickups Brochure:
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/81fp/81fp.html
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
My truck has a mixture of the available trims. Ranger trim, but no A/C. Woodgrain dash, but no carpet. Since it was resprayed before I bought, I have no idea what striping package it originally had, and the aftermarket wheels also make it unknown as to which wheel covers were original.
It has dealer added in-dash A/C, and the floor vents for non-A/C cabs, and someone added carpet at some point, over the rubber mat. I'm guessing it didn't have a radio either, as there's no speaker in the dash or doors, and the radio that was it used an aftermarket plastic mounting kit, rather than the factory metal one. It did have the ranger dash piece with radio holes.
Also, 1980 production was a little late getting started. It was december before the line got under way. With very little parts not changed between 79 and 80, the total retooling took a bit longer than normal. My truck is number 5440, production date jan 80. The rest of the year models did get started around early august.
It has dealer added in-dash A/C, and the floor vents for non-A/C cabs, and someone added carpet at some point, over the rubber mat. I'm guessing it didn't have a radio either, as there's no speaker in the dash or doors, and the radio that was it used an aftermarket plastic mounting kit, rather than the factory metal one. It did have the ranger dash piece with radio holes.
Also, 1980 production was a little late getting started. It was december before the line got under way. With very little parts not changed between 79 and 80, the total retooling took a bit longer than normal. My truck is number 5440, production date jan 80. The rest of the year models did get started around early august.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Here is a 1980 Explorer with it's stripes.
The Explorers didn't follow the normal trim line rules. They had rules all their own.
So a Custom Explorer with Carpet and woodgrain bezels and Ranger door panels is not unheard of.
The Explorers didn't follow the normal trim line rules. They had rules all their own.
So a Custom Explorer with Carpet and woodgrain bezels and Ranger door panels is not unheard of.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
I've actually seen a 1980 with an assembly date of 11/79.It might of been late November,but it still wasn't December like my truck.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, La.
A Build Date between, August 1st. 1981 to July 31st. 1982, makes the truck a 1982 year model.
New Year Models most always started production the first of August. There are a few exceptions, but that is the general rule.
So a build date of August 1981 makes your truck a 1982, and why it has the blue oval in the grille with no letters on the hood, it's a 1982.
1980's began production in August 1979.
1981's began production in August 1980.
1982's began production in August 1981.
Etc...
New Year Models most always started production the first of August. There are a few exceptions, but that is the general rule.
So a build date of August 1981 makes your truck a 1982, and why it has the blue oval in the grille with no letters on the hood, it's a 1982.
1980's began production in August 1979.
1981's began production in August 1980.
1982's began production in August 1981.
Etc...
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
I'd probably never have any other front end, even if it was an '82 on truck (clip swap). It's not that the later trucks weren't nice looking, just that I love the older school look. You wouldn't believe how many people and kids at the gas station think it's a "78"...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
1981: 10th Digit: B
1982: 10th Digit: C
If that confirms it's a 1981, it would be one of the last ones built in that plant, and the factory used 1982 parts on it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, La.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Very Interesting.
It would also be interesting to note what day in August the 1982 model was being produced at that plant. And what consecutive number was the last 1981 to go through.
I know your truck is a rare "overlap" so to speak, using some 1982 model parts. It would be cool if you got the last, or one of the very last 1981's out of the Kentucky plant.
My Parts book contradict any 1981 having a Blue oval grille from the factory, so it is indeed interesting.
It would also be interesting to note what day in August the 1982 model was being produced at that plant. And what consecutive number was the last 1981 to go through.
I know your truck is a rare "overlap" so to speak, using some 1982 model parts. It would be cool if you got the last, or one of the very last 1981's out of the Kentucky plant.
My Parts book contradict any 1981 having a Blue oval grille from the factory, so it is indeed interesting.
