I didn’t even have to look at the location to know this survivor-grade 1978 Ford F-250 with the Explorer package resided in Washington State. This is the kind of truck I saw in large quantities when vacationing in Washington and Oregon, usually in better condition as daily drivers than anything that had been “preserved” out east. This example comes with the cosmetic dress-up provided by the Explorer package along with some other desirable options. The body is super straight and the Explorer graphics remain in place. Find it here on eBay with bidding over $7K and no reserve.
That’s actually a surprisingly strong number for a single cab pickup, in my opinion, but Ford enthusiasts (like others) love those oddball trucks with the stripes kit and other dress-up that were the rage in the 70s and 80s. The Explorer package got you the side-body graphics, chrome bumpers, and wheel covers in most instances, but there were a few other boxes you could check to prep the truck for camping, if you so desired. This one has a tattered bench seat which could be remedied with a blanket. The door panels and dash look tidy; the A/C is hooked up but not cold.
I believe the automatic transmission and A/C were two other “step up” options when buying an Explorer package, which could be spec’d with different equipment depending on whether option group A, B, C, or D was selected. This one has a 400 V8 under the hood and left the assembly line with a factory tow package, rounding out a nice package of equipment on a genuine 4×4 Ford pickup. Did you ever notice how many of the trucks from this era and earlier show up as 2WD models? These vintage 4x4s are seemingly always in demand, as evidenced by the current bid amount.
Of course, any vintage Ford or Mopar product which made liberal use of a stripe kit and still retains those stripes will catch the attention of enthusiasts. This F-250 just has the right look, down to the black steel wheels, which just look tough, and are accented by a set of manual locking hubs. The seller notes that despite the solid floors, the carpeting has been removed, and aside from that and some cracks in the dash, the issues that still require sorting seem fairly small – which is likely why so many bidders are hoping for a chance to put this Explorer edition in their garage.
Great looking truck. Ours was a lighter shade of brown and had the 400 with auto trans with something like 4.11 rear end. Didn’t get great mileage at all but sure was quick for a stock truck my 16 year old self figured. Brother had a deer take out the grille and a fender and dented up the hood some but truck kept driven afterwards just fine.
Dealer installed A/C. New owner will be happy with this awesome truck.
Should be named the Lewis and Clark given that it was the first Explorer!
several earlier yr bronks were explorer (& even ranger) packages (’66 – ’77 gen, the later yrs) too.
My fav vehicle here (well, short bx, step side for perfection, can’t understand Y. I’d put 2 18 inch wide racing stripes on a mono-color & B happy).
Like the 400 too as it is the lrgest ‘square motor’ produced. C6 is OK as well…
Had a slew of 400 m engines with lower end problems, excessive end play in the crank, for some reason the thrust main ate into the block causing the problem. Thiink the 351 M had oil pressure problems also. Check the crank for end play, Good luck, these trucks are rare as hen’s teeth in the rust belt!
Cheers
GPC
I own a 73 bronco with the explorer package which gave it more side trim and the only other thing I know for sure is the explorer emblem on the glove box!! This is a great truck and at the going price isn’t a bad deal if there isn’t any rust issues!!!
The cop behind me had this in green if I’m getting the year right. It was a rust bucket in 4-5 years.