Comparison 2005 vs. 2007

[Fishski]

All:

Is there any reference either here or on the net that will help me see the differences between the two model years.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Clusterpup]

All:

Is there any reference either here or on the net that will help me see the differences between the two model years.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Well, I can tell you what turns me off the 07. It has independent suspension in the rear.

 

[John_Rock]

Johnny will probably chime in when he sees this thread, he's owned both.

Things that I know of are...

07+ like Clusterpup said it has a rear independent axle/suspension.
07+ are wider.
07+ have the option for a v8 4.6L engine.

 

[Fishski]

Whats the negative of the IRS?

 

[John_Rock]

Whats the negative of the IRS?

You can't lift it as much and put big tires on it to go offroading. The solid rear axle is better for offroading.

 

[JohnnyO]

Johnny will probably chime in when he sees this thread, he's owned both.

Depends what you need. If off-roading is your bag then I'd go with an '05. Easier to lift and lift more, better skidplates (you can get a fuel tank skidplate from Ford, I did), limited-slip available, front tow hooks.

'08, it sits lower, you can only lift it 2.5" with Road Bully's kit, traction control instead of limited-slip (but I'm told a regular 8.8" limited-slip will fit), fuel tank skidplate is a fleet option, so you can get one from Ford. No front tow hooks on an '08 nor is there anywhere to put them. The in-floor storage compartments in the bed are the shiznit. No more toolbox taking up space.

That being said....
If off-roading is not important to you, the ride, handling, overall solidness, and build quality of an '07+ is so vastly superior to a Gen 1 that it isn't even funny. (Cue the song "A Whole New World" from the Disney movie "Aladdin".) Also you don't need to buy new shocks on your way home from the dealer and you can get a V8.
Not that you can't off-road a Gen 2, as long as you keep it to the light to moderate stuff. Realistically though, most people don't go off-roading. Me, I just don't have time any more. The Trac is for towing stuff, hauling stuff, and getting around in snow.

 

[Fishski]

JohnnyO thanks for the response.

I have no plans to do off-road, etc.

I'm a huge fisherman and travel through the North East with my boat so that is the main focus now. I have towed my boat with the V6 I have in my Sport with no problem so I know a V6 will be fine but I'm going to trat myself to a V8 in case I get a bigger boat...I need the window in case I don't bring my boat and I need to travel with my rods.

I'm pretty settled on an 07-08 Sport Trac V8...I need the rear window option which seems to be hard to find...I'll find one as I am patient. I still have the 01 Sport and it is fine but after 9 years I want something else. Have the feelers out and I check carmax and others local to me daily. When the right Trac comes up I'll be all over it.

Thanks.

 

[JohnnyO]

No prob.
Two things you should know since towing is your thing.
They didn't build many V8's to begin with so finding a used one might take a while.
Gen 2 Tracs come with a Class II hitch standard and a Class III is optional. The hitch is also the rear crossmember and changing it is not easy, so I'd recommend looking for one with a Class III. Odds are pretty good that a V8 Trac will have a Class III.
Also the power rear window was not installed on Gen 2 Tracs until late in the '07 model year. An '08 would have a power rear window.

 

[Fishski]

V8 is definitely hard to find but I'll find one. Worst case that the 01 Sport STB I have no problem with a V6...

 

[JohnnyO]

Not that an '05 is bad for towing, but for what you need you'd be a lot happier with an '07-'08.