TBT: Tell Us Which Explorer-Branded Pickup You Like Best!

While the world has only known the Explorer as an SUV since its 1990 introduction, the Ford’s use of the name actually dates back to 1967. The popular trim package was offered for the Ranchero, Bronco, F-100 and F-250 pickup trucks. About 20,000 Explorer packages, a cost-saving combination of optional equipment and special trim and paint, were sold in its first year. By 1974, Ford was selling 68,000 vehicles with the Explorer package.

The Explorer name was also used in Europe for the Transit Explorer, a camper conversion performed by an outside upfitter, as early as the 1970s. Here in North America, there was also an experimental, mid-engine pickup in 1973 that carried the Explorer name. The pickup was based on the F-100 of that era, but its 429-cubic-inch V8 was mounted behind the passenger compartment — a full five feet farther back than in the F-100 of the time.

A mainstay of F-Series offerings, the Explorer package was expanded to include E-Series vans and Ranger pickups in later years. Ultimately, the Explorer package was discontinued after the 1985 model year, but the name would resurface a few short years later.

Explorer as we know it today debuted as a 1991 replacement for the Bronco II. The Explorer name finally appeared on a production pickup truck in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the introduction of the Explorer Sport Trac. Today, the Explorer name heads into the electrified era with the new electric Explorer for the European market.

Celebrate Explorer and tell us which of the Explorer-badged vehicles you like best in our poll!

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