Got your attention I hope.

Let's see how many people would like Ford to produce an Explorer Sport FX4 in 2003. Let's assume that Ford is going to continue the Explorer Sport with a solid rear axle instead of the IRS on the 4-door 2002s.

The FX4 package would include a manual transfer case, manual hubs, manual transmission option, limited slip differential, and the largest tires they could fit.

Is this something you would be interested in?

Oh yeah. Build it Ford. (I Know that some people from Ford read this board). Could it come with some sort of stock lift like some dodge ram 4x4s do.:bounce::bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

my thoughts exactly, maybe like 2"+, with maybe some 33's. oh man that would be SWEET:mattmoon: :cool:

As we have always said, keep it simple and take it back to the basics. Sure, the plush inside is nice, but I don't want to leave the plush to lay in the dirt and fix something. Also the ability for easier upgrades is nice as well.

YES!!!

and no carpet, there is no need for this stuff.

Well I love the idea still but ive been thinking and have come to believe that Ford won't even consider it until the press stops griping about explorers going from :redexp: to :roll:

Originally posted by ok89
Well I love the idea still but ive been thinking and have come to believe that Ford won't even consider it until the press stops griping about explorers going from :redexp: to :roll:

You are probably right and its a damn shame. :frustrate

true that! thats another great point. but hopefully they'll get over it by the time the 2003 years start coming about. hell, i hardly ever hear about it anymore.

Originally posted by ok89
Well I love the idea still but ive been thinking and have come to believe that Ford won't even consider it until the press stops griping about explorers going from :redexp: to :roll:

That's a cop out. Nissan uses their enthusiasts website as an example of what you can do with an Xterra. Dodge does the same with the Dodge Ram enthusiast site.

Ford has had the opportunity to use our website to show how off-road worthy the Explorers are and they choose not to. In my opinion if Ford made this site known to the public at large people would see that these Explorers don't flip over easily at all. My goodness, look what we do with these things every weekend and how few people have put there Explorer on their side. In the cases where they have went over, look at the circumstances, racing down a dirt road and running off the road, sliding sideways at 40mph (on purpose) and hitting a buried concrete block, etc... It takes a lot to flip a lifted Explorer let alone a stocker.

17" wheels please :D

why? some of those forged 15" would be good. PLUS replacements are cheaper:D :cool:

that'd be a awesome idea! that thing would be a really good seller i bet, if its anything likethat ranger fx4 it will appease me

Originally posted by rockymntnhi
17" wheels please :D

17" wheels on an off-road vehicle? For what purpose?

Much as I think we'd all like to see a vehicle from Ford that really does deserve to be called "Bronco" it will never happen the way Ford's going right now. I don't get it! It doesn't make any sense. Look at the following that Jeep has! It's absurd. They've got an image. The Bronco name has an image too. Why Ford doesn't produce something that fits that image is beyond me. It's ridiculous. They could produce a damn fine Bronco with almost all the parts coming from vehicles in production! Why won't they? It's just ... I don't get it.:frustrate :fire: :mad:

I read a somewhere that Ford may rebadge the Sport as a Bronco. Anyone else hear this?

Ron - I read that somewhere too - can you point me to the article again? I read that it would share the IFS/IRS chassis with the four-door, but have a two-door body and be called "Bronco"... Just doesn't cut it for me... :mattmoon:

I'm pretty sure it was in BlueOvalNews. They changed the site around and I can't find "vehicle news" anymore.

That's where I thought I saw it too... Haven't been able to find it again though... :bounce: (doesn't really fit, but the bouncy dude is cool)

The F-150 FX4 comes with em' , why not an X with em' ? They look good and all the tire manufactures are making offroad tires in that size so why not ? :mattmoon: :D

17" rims we're talking about an off-road package here not a street fighter...


There have been photos of the Bronco prototype here. Ford brought it around on their No Boundries tour. Can anyone find the posts with that? I foudn one, but the photos were on Photopoint and they're gone now.

Gee guys , I like the look of bigger wheels , Sorry... My friend has a 00' F150 5.5" lift 17" w/ 35's It looks sweet . He takes it offroad , no problems . Whats the big deal ??? I know, your gonna say they are'nt as durable , Less sidewall , etc. Thats what I said a year ago , I was wrong ! Not like it matters , Ford is not into pleasing their customers . They won't build it . Since we are all dreamin' .... I want mine w/ 17's , 4" factory lift , SuperCharged (300hp) , a winch , recaro buckets , and the lil' one would appreciate a TV and DVD . Oh yeah upgrade that Bumper 2 Bumper to 10 year 100,000 , Please . and I wanna pay nomore than 33K :p

In a couple years 17" wheels will be the norm/standard . Maybe Ford could take the lead on sumthin' for a change !?. ;)

There are reasons you don't want 17" rims for offroading.

1. The tire flex of large sidewalls aids in traction.

2. The large sidewalls protect the rims from damage.

3. 17" rims on an off-road vehicle would give a harsh ride since the sidewall is so short and inflexible.

Originally posted by Rick
There are reasons you don't want 17" rims for offroading.

1. The tire flex of large sidewalls aids in traction.

2. The large sidewalls protect the rims from damage.

3. 17" rims on an off-road vehicle would give a harsh ride since the sidewall is so short and inflexible.

Plus, tires for 17" wheels are EXPENSIVE.

why not make a 2 door expedition with a short wheel base a ns straight axle front end? i wouldnt mind them calling that a bronco.

my $.02 out that supercharged 5.4 (lightening) in more vehicles especially the explorers.

Come on ford i believe in you guys!

I heard somewhere that Ford was going to make a 2 door Expedition and call that a bronco. Any one else heard this? Also, has anyone seen those Ford trucks that are like an F350 with a bronco back on them? They look like a 4 door bronco. Think they are called a centurion or something.

Andy

Here is one of the awesome comcepts Ford showed us, but never will produce.

http://www.explorer4x4.com/desexcurrrside.jpg

Originally posted by BUCHVILLEMAN
why not make a 2 door expedition with a short wheel base a ns straight axle front end? i wouldnt mind them calling that a bronco.

my $.02 out that supercharged 5.4 (lightening) in more vehicles especially the explorers.

Come on ford i believe in you guys!
exactly, like those 2dr Tahoes.:bounce:

Thats a sweet truck in that pic. If they made somethin' like that I am sure that it would sell. Look at Jeep. They are built to OFF-ROAD. I wish Ford would try something new. I like current Ford product, but an Off-road bronco or X would be sweet. Even if its a limited edition.:can:

I want that feature Rick!! LOL

There is always one, and that one is me. I'm sorry, but don't waste your time building the wheeler for me. They've tried it once and nothing sold. Sorry, but all Ford's going to do is up the price to make a profit. Thanks, but no thanks Ford.

"They've tried it once and nothing sold"

With which vehicle??

I was talking about the manual hubs and T-case that they offered on the early Explorers. They'd have to offer several other options for it to get me in the lot.

Actually there were loads of Explorers equipped like that. They sold as fleet vehicles. That's what mine was intended for. Like I said... today they call it an FX4 they used to call it the stripped model :D

http://www.therangerstation.com/FX4.htm

Okay, I got it: 2003 Explorer FX4

Solid leaf sprung front axle

Manual everything, transfer case, hubs, ect.

A smaller version of a Powerstroke, a 185-200 horse would be awesome

Six speed trannsmission or an optionable Allison

Factory manual locking front and rear differential.

My god, we might get bored not having anything to modify it with . . . or not.:D

How does FX4 differ from the earlier "Off Road" package on fullsizes or "STX" on Rangers? It doesn't it is just a new sticker.


Should Ford produce an off road sticker version of the Explorer Sport? Yes they should. Will they? Who knows. Maybe they will call it Explorer Extreme and give it even bigger stickers. :rolleyes:

from what i read on ford's web site, the 2002 ranger fx4 will have 31x10.50x15 bfg at ko's and off road suspension with better absorbers etc. i'm guessing that the 2003 sport fx4 wouldn't be that different.

and 4.11 or better gears.

i would love to offroad with my explorer. but with the crappy 3.27, i cant put bigger tires on it.

i'd definately buy a 2003 explorer sport FX4.

They should definitly produce this Explorer. I will be graduating college in 2003 and this would make a perfect gift to buy myself. I like the idea of having a more rugged and less luxurious X. If this X came stock ready to handle most trails it would keep us from voiding the warranty on the vehicle as quickly.

I think they should.
In this months 4 wheel drive mag. there is a story about J**p building a Wrangler Rubicon. It will come from the factory w/ lockers and sporting 35" Good Year MTR's!
Basically back in '96 J88p turned over a wrangler to the magazine and said load this thing up with all kinds aftermarket parts test it for a while then give it back. J**p took it back analized everything and built this new Rubicon to be a factory off road beast.
And guess what that means...
Serious off road ventures covered under factory warranty.
I wish more manufacturers would give it more thought. If Chevy and Pontiac can get factory participation in building super sport camaros and firehawk firebirds...why can't we get a Explorer FX4?

Come on Ford!

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is sporting 31" MTRs. It has Dana 44s front and rear as well as lockers front and rear. It also has a 4:1 4lo. It was tested in Tellico . It has 4 wheel disc brakes, diamond plated sill guards, 16" "Moab" cast aluminum wheels, skid plates, heavy-duty driveshaft assembly and the 4.0L I6. All this information was taken out of the most recent issue of "Jeep News" magazine.

While we're dreaming of a Bronco, I want coils on all 4 corners.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is sporting 31" MTRs. It has Dana 44s front and rear as well as lockers front and rear. It also has a 4:1 4lo. It was tested in Tellico . It has 4 wheel disc brakes, diamond plated sill guards, 16" "Moab" cast aluminum wheels, skid plates, heavy-duty driveshaft assembly and the 4.0L I6. All this information was taken out of the most recent issue of "Jeep News" magazine.

ok89, you're right on those 31's I am not sure why I was thinking it was 35's. Wishful thinking, I guess.

how bout an explorer sport fx4 built like that jeep grand cherokee overland or whatever. sold axles, rock sliders that would actually do the job, and look good at the same time. v8 .. rear locker..

Boats I agree. What is the one thing everyone should have no matter what kinda wheelin they do? Protection.
Skid plates all around, tow points, rock sliders. These are kinda a PITA for all of us and get spendy, while factory it would be cheap to produce and install these options. I know I'm spending a bunch of money on skid protection and it's not fun, I wish it could go elsewhere. But Ford did give ME factory skid plates on my gas tank, probably cause it's a limited and you know how much those limited yuppies go and bash the rocks.(I know certain EB's and XLT's came with skids as well but I have yet to figure out how this was decided.)

:hammer:

I have plenty of scrape marks on my XLT gas tank skid plate and several dents in my front differential thank you very much...and I don't live within 200 miles of a ROCK, STONE, OR PEBBLE.

why not make a 2 door expedition with a short wheel base a ns straight axle front end? i wouldnt mind them calling that a bronco.

I dont think thats gonna happen... even the expedition is going irs... =\ As for putting 17" rims on the truck screw that what a waste. Ford doesnt exactly do a good job with there 4x4s A friend of min just bought a 97 stx its got a BIG airdamn with lights in it. I dont think ford designed thier vehicles for offroading they designed them so they look like they CAN go offroading... well to the casual observer not us hardcore guys :)

AND A V8-302!!!!


in a "sport" <~ A Dream Come True

IMO

its to bad ford doesnt make the 302 any more :(

I'm In!

How bout that I6 they used to put in the f-150, that would give a good deal of power to a 2 door X. But the 302 would have more bolt ons I guess.

If I didn't have so much tied up in mine and they made this I would proly buy one. But you know they will make it and jack up the price another 5 -10 K from the outrageous price that they already are.

Ah guys, im gonna have to say im out... I dont feel they should make a car just for off roading or jus for streeting...... Let the people make their mods and make it into what they want.

I think they should build it.

At least make some effort to acknowledge off road people.

(That goes the other way too, I would also be in favor of Ford building a street version, just to acknowledge the street people outthere.)

I ALSO SAY GO FOR IT... I WOULD BUY ONE... AND MY LEASE IS UP IN 2003 =)

I ALSO SAY GO FOR IT... I WOULD BUY ONE... AND MY LEASE IS UP IN 2003 =)

i think they should build it. ford's fallen behind in that area once they lost the bronco and went ifs in the xplorer

Just out of curiosity:

To the people who voted "no" in the poll, why not?

I said no because i think ford is to dumb to get it right. :rolleyes: just look at the nbx 4dr explorer.

Better not to try at all than to try and fail:rolleyes:

All they would have needed to do is offer the same equipment as what they offer on the FX4 Ranger and it would have been a done deal. We would have benefited from a more capable Explorer and they would have benefited by offering a new product without having to retool ANYTHING.

Originally posted by Namitey
just look at the nbx 4dr explorer.

The nbx Explorer?

Originally posted by Rick
Better not to try at all than to try and fail:rolleyes:

I assume that's sarcasm...?

Yes the 2003 4dr No Boundaries edition eXplorer. it of course has struts and independant suspension instead of a solid axle. well what ford did was put over sized tires on it with front tow hooks and skid plates. Theyre completely worthless on the new explorers. Theyre closer to cars than to trucks imho.

The only way i could see offering a FX4 explorer would be id they offered that package on the 2dr or the sport trac. But with the way ford feels about the explorer name a package like that would never be offered with either vehicle. From what i hear you cant even go on tirerack and order non standard size tires for explorers.

Originally posted by Namitey


The only way i could see offering a FX4 explorer would be id they offered that package on the 2dr or the sport trac.

Check the title of this thread. This wasn't about offering us a 4 door FX4.

Originally posted by Rick
Check the title of this thread. This wasn't about offering us a 4 door FX4.

details! :D

Here's a question for all you off-roaders. What is wrong with Independent Rear Suspension? Is it too hard to put a lift kit on? In principle it should have an advantage, one in which I've seen first hand with lifted Wranglers. These things could climb over rocks like they were nothing while I was about to flip my X because of the straight axle. Granted, mine was stock so that isn't much of a comparison, but I was impressed with independent rear suspension.

Sorry, Wranglers have a solid rear axle not IRS. So you were really just impressed with a solid axle with coil springs and links.

I was under the impression they had IRS. These were highly modified, so they weren't stock. I could be wrong, but they made a point to suggest they had IRS when I almost flipped. I still could be wrong, because I don't really know much about suspension, I was just curious.

Back to the question, what's wrong with IRS? Sorry, I claim ignorance on suspensions, and I have an '02 with IRS that looks like it has better clearance than my '91. Are these hard to lift?

BTW, after looking at your pics all I can say is WOW. I think you would have no problem with the off road trip I did at "Slick Rock".

These questions seem to be more and more prevalent these days :rolleyes:

Solid axles are better for alot of reasons. Usually when you drive over on obstacle you don't drive down the middle of it and expose the center-line of your truck to damage. The objective is to park a tire on top of it and drive over it thereby exposing your truck to as little damage as possible. A solid axle is good when you do this for a couple of reasons. The suspension has enough travel in it to climb up and over big obstacles without bottoming out and compromising the stability of the truck. Another reason a solid axle is better is because when one tire is on an object it forces the other side of the axle down by way of leverage, thereby giving it greater traction.

I voted no because any package that comes out from Ford will be overpriced, not really offroad capable (they will use something that sounds good but not up to the task) and if something does break then you would have to go thru Ford to get replacement parts.

What Ford should do is promote websites like this as example of what people can do with their X's and encourage the aftermarket to get more involved. Also a V8 option for the sport would be nice and a manual transmission.

What about setting up a partnership for the X like Ford has with Saleen (Special Mustangs sold thru Ford dealers). Ford would be able to sell special X's without the need for any extra costs at the factory and the aftermarket companies would know how to build a good truck using mostly parts that are already on the market.

^^^^tried that, saleen explorer was way too $$$

Ford won't build it. There's not enough buyers for this model. The aftermarket can't even create a body kit for the current and older Xplorers. There's just not enough buyer who would go for this type... It's too extreme for a typical Explorer buyer.

WTF!

Point of Information...

The FX4 Ranger beat the Off Road Packaged - F-250, Dodge 1500, and Chevy 1500 in an off road stocker comparison. They said that truck was pretty amazing for stock. (Trying to remember which magazine it was...)

Originally posted by HokieBert
Point of Information...

The FX4 Ranger beat the Off Road Packaged - F-250, Dodge 1500, and Chevy 1500 in an off road stocker comparison. They said that truck was pretty amazing for stock. (Trying to remember which magazine it was...)

Probably Petersons 4wd and off road. they liked the ranger almost as much as the rubicon as far as offroadability.

Ranger FX4,
hehehehehehehehe,
I have the predecessor:D

What others said, I want tow points, why does a Honda civic 93 style have them, but the ford Explorer does not??

Originally posted by 99exEB1
What others said, I want tow points, why does a Honda civic 93 style have them, but the ford Explorer does not?? Because they need it to get out of the snow and the mud.;)

Fx4 ranger level 2 thats what I'm talkin bout, maybe my next vehicle!

Originally posted by Rick - All they would have needed to do is offer the same equipment as what they offer on the FX4 Ranger and it would have been a done deal. We would have benefited from a more capable Explorer and they would have benefited by offering a new product without having to retool ANYTHING.

DITTO, AMEN, YES, YES, YES!!!! :bounce:

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!! You're right on, Rick...I'm not going to get greedy, just offer the SAME package on the Explorer Sport, and I'm SO there! It just makes sense to me...like they really couldn't lose. If nothing else, they'd have a way to rejuvenate what the blow-hard automotive journalists might call an 'aging platform'. I also agree with the idea that an FX4 Explorer Sport could be marketed as a Bronco...truth be told, I don't care what they call it, I'D BUY IT!

How have Ranger FX4 sales looked so far? I would think that would play big-time into any decision to even look into the possibility of an Explorer Sport FX4. You'd think they'd at least outfit a prototype and take it out to one of your Explorer events to help gauge interest and gather ideas...isn't that what they did one way or another with the Ranger?

Being a lifelong Bronco guy, this one is near & dear to my heart, so I'm more than willing to help pummel Ford with requests and interest. Anyone have any pertinent contact info, and/or willing to help lead a charge on this? Rick, maybe you could place posts elsewhere directing folks to this poll like you did with the Torsen one...?

BUILD IT...AND WE WILL BUY!! :thumbsup:

I voted build it. I know for a fact that the sales for Ranger FX4s are pretty good. I see them all the time around my house. (im gonna steal one one of these days) heh. anyway, even though i just bought a 99 Ranger, i think that the explorer FX4 is a great idea. If i get rid of this ranger and an Ex like that is out id probably get it. This would be a risk for Ford but i mean its not like they dont have the money or the R&D to figure it out. But i dunno, i havent heard anything about one yet and i doubt i will for a while so we will see what happens in the next couple of years. Oh, and i would like it to have a 31" at or mt tire and nice 16X8 wheels, lift to accomidate these wheels and tires, front and rear tow hooks, skid plates under all of the essentials, not jsut the gas tank, maybe some rocker protection,(this may be asking too much) build it and people will come. thats my $.02