The Explorer Package

[PickleJar]

Im just curious to hear what people say. This site has some info on Explorers and I have read that of course. I have some questions though:

As time goes on these strange Explorers seem to pop up, except they may be missing the stripes, or may have brite trim or no brite trim. Some have sport emblems. And I've seen some that arent metallic blue or orange. So did they come in more than two colors? Were they all automatics with AC?

Recently I read some random thing online that What came on explorers was mostly dealer discretion. Does the vin identify explorer?

I say this knowing full well all options for the broncos got fuzzy between production years/package offerings (for instance I have a base model U15 but it has a color matched dash pad?), but this explorer stuff seems like a big mess . Like a sport or a ranger is much more clearly defined, even special decor.

The reason Im bringing this up is Im genuinely interested in them, for what ever reason they have always had a special appeal to me. The stripes, the interiors, options etc. Id love to own one, doubtful, but maybe someday that could happen.

Anyway they are just cool to me but I cant seem to find a definitive answer, and was curious what you all had to say. Sorry if this has been covered before...

 

[Rustytruck]

My 1974 explorer was a pretty stripped truck as far as explorers go. It was medium blue metallic with body trim. Blue parchment floor mat. Brite trim on the floor mat and a headliner with brite trim, Blue seats with wood grain inner door pannels. And the explorer badge on the glove box.

It got none of the Bronco sport bright trim. No stainless vent windows just standard black painted vent frames. No explorer stripes. No air conditioner. No swing away tire carrier.

My 1974 Bronco was a well equiped heavy duty truck but that isn't Explorer spec.
it came with H-78, 15 tires, with hub caps, heavy duty cooling package, California emission package with electronic ignition, 4900 lb spring package with heavy duty shocks and track-loc differential. Front dana 44 has no traction aid. Automatic transmission and power steering. It was bone stock when I bought it 40 years ago the only thing left as explorer is the badge on the glove box.

 

[half cab]

Don't forget the '72 Explorer was even different from the later yrs.

 

[Mac2Night]

Picklejar,

I love, love, love the Bronco Explorer package so much that I've had three of them! (2) '73s (Grabber Blue and Burnt Orange) and a Copper '76. I still have my Burnt Orange '73, at least for now (contemplating selling it very soon but not ready at least this week ;D).

Over the years I have compiled some info you might find interesting in your investigation:

1972 Durango Tan with ginger random strip interior(seats) and parchment door panels
* '72 seems to be the only year you could have a Sport Explorer

1973 Burnt Orange or Grabber Blue with blue or orange Random Stripe interior

1974 Brook Blue Metallic/Poly or Viking Red with red or blue Stirling interior
*I have a '74 Explorer with code "S" which is Midnight Blue Poly that must have been special order although I have seen on or two '74s that were also Midnight Blue

1976 Copper or Brook Blue Metallic/Poly with blue or tan interior and a white or tan exterior stripes

Here are some photos of each year (including some of my three) and factory Ford brochures used to market the packages:

 

[Mac2Night]

More info:

* the dark brown and green '76s are more than likely special order Explorers as the only standard colors offered in '76 were the Medium Copper and Brook Blue Poly/Medium Blue Poly

***** not sure why photos aren't enlarging but I'll add them again from work tomorrow and see if they enlarge.

 

[Mac2Night]

Here is a link to a thread from back in 2012 where Explorers were discussed (photos enlarge)!

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199432&highlight=explorer+package

Here are some photos of my '73 and former '76 that will enlarge:

 

[okie4570]

Can't determine an Explorer from the VIN, but one can from the trim code.

 

[JGbronc]

Somehow it keeps getting assumed that all Explorers had stripes. 76 was the only year for Explorer stripes. As far as bright trim, the body side moldings were optional on Explorers although most had them. 72 was the only year for the bright window moldings and Argent grill on an Explorer, as it was the only year it was combined with the Sport package.

One slight correction on Mac's posts. The standard blue for 76 is Blue Metallic, which is slightly brighter than Brook Blue Metallic. I have one of these.

There were usually two standard colors for each year of the Explorer package, but those were different every year.

Like Mac said, there were special order colors as well. I've seen Raven Black, Wimbledon White, Hatteras Green, Candyapple Red, and some others.

The Automatic wasn't introduced until 73, so all 72 Sport Explorers were manual. After that, most Explorers were indeed Automatic, but I have seen a few that were manual. One thing I've noticed is that its very common to see an Explorer without a cigar lighter option. A/C was optional, and was a dealer install upgrade.

 

[ared77]

Great question PickleJar! I love details like this, and I'm learning right along with you.

 

[399strokerEB]

I have a red 74 explorer and trying to pick up its twin. Not sure if my seats were swapped out, but they're just red vinyl.

 

[BajaBronco]

Love me an Orange Orange 73 or Red REd 74 Explorer . Want want want, but want Bajas and Stroppes more I guess...
Orange photos courtesy Blue71 circa 2005.

 

[Mac2Night]

Worked some today on the Explorer installing burnt orange carpet! I'll be finished with the install tomorrow and hopefully have the seats in just in time for an evening cruise downtown for date night ;D

 

[PickleJar]

Explorer Package

Ok so I’m just curious about this topic and want to hear what people have to say. I’m just really interested in bronco explorers. Would love to get ahold of one but doubtful.

So this site has a spot for bronco history which is fantastic, the explorer section doesn’t match what I see on the web though. So I just have some questions.

Is there a vin specific number that identified explorer. I read the other day that the package was a dealer installed package (I don’t really believe that). Why do I see them in more colors than blue and reddish tan. I have seen red, ginger like, tan, orange, green. Why do some have stripes and some not. Why do some have brite trim and some do not. I have seen them with sport badges. Did they all have AC and auto tranny?

I understand that in between model years and transitions Broncos can have odd things different with them but I feel like I see way too much weird Explorer stuff. Is it possible that there are just a bunch of clones? I saw a really bad one the other day, it’s sequoia brown, with ranger stripes. White dash and an explorer badge? Like what the hell is that. If you google image ford bronco explorer, look at the stuff you see, it’s crazy.

So I guess what I want to know is if anyone really does know what an explorer is or isn’t. For whatever reason they really appeal to me, and I just would like to know....

 

[PickleJar]

Sorry when I tried to do this the other day it didn’t show up so I said screw, now I’m bored and posted again, and they’re both here....

 

[PickleJar]

This was awesome thank you all! When I originally posted this either I couldn’t find it or it was delayed somehow, so just created a new one, just disregard it...

Anyway this was all great to read and view, thanks for taking the time!

Anyone Have an idea how many are still out there?

 

[sprdv1]

Worked some today on the Explorer installing burnt orange carpet! I'll be finished with the install tomorrow and hopefully have the seats in just in time for an evening cruise downtown for date night ;D

Yeah buddy...

 

[huddy51]

More info:

* the dark brown and green '76s are more than likely special order Explorers as the only standard colors offered in '76 were the Medium Copper and Brook Blue Poly/Medium Blue Poly

I am 100% certain I currently own the green 76 in your attached picture. It was repainted with a modified stripe after that picture was taken. Paint code "B" Explorer.

Do you have any other pictures?

 

[BroncoBub]

Worked some today on the Explorer installing burnt orange carpet! I'll be finished with the install tomorrow and hopefully have the seats in just in time for an evening cruise downtown for date night ;D

Just curious did the explorer come with carpeting or vinyl floors.>?

 

[JGbronc]

Just curious did the explorer come with carpeting or vinyl floors.>?

They had a color keyed vinyl mat. Those are now hard to find in good condition.

 

[DirtDonk]

And here again, the '72's were odd ducks. Or at least some of them were.
Where there were different matching color floor mats, both of the '72's that I ran around with (one Red, one Tan) had parchment full coverage mats.

Paul