“Explorer” Decal on a Ranger bed

[RangerReviver1990]

So i was roaming the local junkyard couple months ago looking for little stuff I could use on my Ranger, and I came across this ‘89 Ranger (XLT, Standard Cab, long bed, 5-speed) and started inspecting it for parts i could hopefully use and i noticed on the end on the bed was a explorer sticker on it, I thought that that was pretty interesting. It dosen’t look like it was just slapped on there for fun, it kind of looks like a factory decal. Could the Ranger have a “Explorer package” or something?

 

[ericbphoto]

I hadn't heard of that before. But that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

The older F series trucks had an Explorer trim package. 1970s vintage?

 

[Shran]

Definitely a trim package up until the late 80's.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They had different levels of Explorer packages too.

First Gen Literature

Kind of an obscure thing to know what is even out there and I have been collecting it for awhile. Pretty interesting to browse thru, if anybody else has any post it up. If you have other generation start your own thread to keep it kind of organized and keep this post First Generation (1983...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Definitely a trim package up until the late 80's.

Even on rangers?

F series quit being "explorers" i think around 82.

 

[Shran]

Even on rangers?

F series quit being "explorers" i think around 82.

I believe so, IIRC the truck pictured was an '87 or '88. Some body panel swapping obviously happened there but I think I figured out that the box was born with that truck.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Even on rangers?

F series quit being "explorers" i think around 82.

It is in the 1985 pocket salesman guide I linked to above your post.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It is in the 1985 pocket salesman guide I linked to above your post.

Oops didnt see that.

I believe so, IIRC the truck pictured was an '87 or '88. Some body panel swapping obviously happened there but I think I figured out that the box was born with that truck.

Thats interesting. I didnt know it was an option on rangers

 

[RangerReviver1990]

Definitely a trim package up until the late 80's.

That’s pretty interesting, never knew that was an option. Finding information about Gen 1 Rangers is very difficult, learn something new everyday

 

[19Walt93]

Ford likes to recycle names, there was a Ranger trim level on F series, along with Explorer. As far as I know the 1958 Edsel Ranger was the first vehicle so named.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Explorer and Ranger used to be trim packages before becoming their own vehicle.

 

[19Walt93]

Edsels had some weird stuff -like the steering wheel mounted electric chifter for example- but an Edsel nose looks cool on a 57-59 Ranchero.

 

[dvdswan]

Explorer and Ranger used to be trim packages before becoming their own vehicle.

I remember them from the late 60s and early 70s F series p/ups.

Ford F-100 Explorer Special Package History and Details (cjponyparts.com)

Body Trim and Emblems - FORDification.com

Ford F-Series (sixth generation) - Wikipedia

Ford F-Series (fifth generation) - Wikipedia