Regular Car Reviews has become an automotive YouTube institution by taking a sarcastic perspective at nearly any vehicle imaginable. One of the channel’s latest reviews covers a 1984 Ford F-250 Explorer, and it’s worth the watch for comedic value alone.
Get past the pure entertainment value of the video and there are some actually informative tidbits in the clip. The IDI, or indirect diesel injection, engine that powers this Ford F-250 could also be found under the hoods of International school buses.
Examining the BorgWarner four-speed transmission brings another bit of obscure automotive knowledge. Apparently, the four-speed setup was questioned as being a three-speed with a granny gear instead of having four full gears. It’s also noted that the trucks only came with a tachometer if they were optioned that way from the factory.
Further F-250 trivia includes interesting items about the independent front suspension found in the early 1980s trucks. The presenter notes that the setup is notoriously difficult to keep in alignment, especially if the truck is being used as a work vehicle.
Finally, there’s the truck’s trim level. Today, we know the Ford Explorer as a popular crossover, but back in the day the Explorer name was used as a trim designation. Here, it means special badging, an auxiliary fuel tank, air conditioning, and upgraded interior trimmings.
All of that is great, but the real point of the video shines through at the end. Old trucks are simpler and far more utilitarian than their modern counterparts, many (most?) of which have become luxo-barges. If that sounds appealing to you, the models seen here are not hard to find in good condition and for fairly affordable prices. Just don’t rev it past 3,000 RPM.
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Comments
Oh, I LOVE the old Ford Truck of the “80’s, had several of them and loved every minute of driving them, even, with no luxuries. They towed, they went through the mud, they hauled scrap, they hauled trees, they worked hard, then they hauled the boat to the lake to go fishin. What more could you ask for???
I also recovered 6 stolen ’79 models stolen from fellow cops in Colorado. Got them identified and returned to a couple of them, the others went to the insurance companies. They were gorgeous trucks, loved by all, but especially loved by their owners.
Thanks for this piece about the older Ford Truck, I loved it.
In Canada the Explorer trim package was available only on F150s if memory serves. Nevertheless I sold lots of these F250s with everything from a 300 6 banger up to 460s and 6.9 diesels. Cool video!
I have a one owner f250 460 4wheel dr. Customized flat bed new engine with only 10 miles And I would sell it for the right price Contact me at wyatt56lewisATgmaildot com Truck is 1983 9563630898
Had a 1984 inline 6 with a 4 banger with overdrive. Loved that truck use to pull a bass boat and none of my chevy buddies could match my custom f150 when it came to gas milage towing or not.