68 explorer with black top

[radar457]

I am looking for info of 1968 f100 explorer dents. I had never seen one with the rubberized coating on the top until a year ago. Now I have 2 of them. Are these rare? What years did they do this?

[basketcase0302]

="radar457" I am looking for info of 1968 f100 explorer dents. I had never seen one with the rubberized coating on the top until a year ago. Now I have 2 of them. Are these rare? What years did they do this?

Maybe a little more specific as a "dent" / "dentside" is the phrase commonly used to describe the 73-79 era Ford trucks.
Believe I know the roof finish you speak of and have only seen a handful of them here over the years, yes they are rare.
Here's how it got it's name, (from an expedition of ford only trucks across the US and then Mehico) as well as the origins of it being one of the quietest cabs due to the coating on the roof found here in the "Ford Truck Memorabilia" section that will show you all the years they were offered:
http://www.fordification.com/library/in ... tegory/105

And here's where it got marketed for consumers, (via the Ford Explorer explained literature found here on Fordification):
http://www.fordification.com/tech/explorer.htm

[radar457]

Yes My bad . I know the difference between a dent and bump, I have a dozen of each. (how embarrassing ) Thanks a lot for the info. Do you know what years Ford used that rubberized coating? I am amazed how well it has stayed on over the years no chips or peels. When I first saw it I thought some ass-hat had rhino lined the roof, later to find it was a factory option. Thanks again for you're response.

[basketcase0302]

I'm not real sure on all the years it was produced/or offered as an option to be honest.
Maybe Keith or someone else can chime in here on that, as I've actually never even seen one!
Glad I could help a little.

[radar457]

I bought this pickup yesterday at an auction. Went back today to load it and bring it home. Looking closer, it is a 69 Ranger with the black rubber like top. I was told this only came out on Explorers. The orange one I already have is a 68 Explorer with dark top. Now I'm really confused.

[basketcase0302]

From the above brochure:
"However, many people are not aware of another trim option package that could be had on the '68-'69 Custom Cab and the '70-'72 Custom and Sport Custom models which would give you almost all the same options as the Ranger and Ranger XLT models, but at a lower price to the buyer. Ford called this 'economy' setup the 'Explorer Special'." tells me it could be ordered on ANY model year-but not 100% sure on that.

Maybe time for a Marti report to confirm?

[mk]

I've never heard of it on a '68, but any shop could have sprayed it on; it wasn't shown as available until the '70 brochure. However, I have seen two '69s with it. Seems it may have been brought on stream mid-year '69 like the 302 was.

[PetesPonies]

Were these a vinyl top or was this something sprayed?

[mk]

Check out #4 on the brochure page...

[catman]

Paint used by the factory was a wrinkle style finish to mimic a vinyl roof which was all the rage in the 60 and 70 s on cars, wrinkle finish was used up to the mid 70"s I believe on the F series, the same paint is still available at hardware stores under the tremclad or rustoleum brand or your friendly auto paint store could make it up for you, still used on valve covers and other engine dress ups. If it is bed liner or similiar product, a previous owner has put it on to cover up some rust

[PetesPonies]

I saw the picture and just wanted to know what material it was. With vinyl tops being so predominant at the time, figured it might be done like that. As for a spray, the wrinkle paint for valve covers would never hold up to the sunlight. As a restorer and painter, I promise you it is not the same material. Here's mention of it in 1974:

black roof.jpg