looking to buy 02

[legnd99]

I'm looking to buy a 02 2wd with 130k..there 3 owners And the 1st was a rental company. It seems ok but wanted to hears some opinions before I sign papers. My main thing is the the transmission I seen some bad reviews but still unsure. This will probably be my daily driver. And I tow a 18ft jet boat sometimes and also a trailer with a few atvs. I don't know what the service has been besides seeing 4 new shocks and new exhaust

The steering wheel is showing wear and cruize control buttons are hard to push.also the paint on running boards are worn down.also the dealer don't have a key to bed cover.

Is there anything else I should look for?

 

[ncranchero]

Listen for timing chain rattle on start-up, have ball joints checked. What money are they wanting?

 

[legnd99]

ok i got to go back again tonight and ill take a second test drive. it located at a ford dealership that took on trade and they asking $8900...which according to kbb is a lil high (kbb says 8600). ill look over the ball joints but didnt hear no rattles on 1st test drive

 

[legnd99]

to be honest the only thing that concerns me the most is towing...i looked up specs and my boat weights in at 2200lbs load with fuel and gear + trailer...my atvs are a couple hundred pounds but much less than boat...if a few things need to be done like ball joints or sway bar links or something minor i dont care about, im a mechanic so i can do the work my BIGGEST issues is towing the boat and the trany issues.

 

[ncranchero]

Mostly I tow just a lawn trailer with a zero-turn mower. Never know it's back there.

The car trailer is a tilt deck and weighs about 1200 lbs. Pulls it empty, again, like it's not there.

I towed the Dodge I'm working on just a short distance the other week. Oh yeah, you know that is there! It pulls it but stopping is another matter. I never have put a brake controller in the Trac as I don't intend on towing a load like this. Actually, I didn't even pump up the shocks either for this short trip.

 

[Sethybaby]

I pull 2000lbs daily. I have a 1500lb gutter machine on a trailer loaded with materials, I have no trouble at all with it. I've also pulled a nifty lift without the slightest of trouble.

Sometimes braking is an issue for me, but rarely.

 

[legnd99]

ok that kinda puts my mind a rest a little bit, because although this might be my daily without towing i need the ability to without tearing something up...did you add a extra trany cooler to help?

just curious mine will have the 2" reciever on the back (not sure if its factory or not) but does these trucks comes pre-wired for adding electric brakes?

 

[LONO100]

try to find a trac with 4.10 gears if youre worried about towing. it will help. check the front near the radiator, maybe there might be a tranny cooler already installed. if not, get one! also, i would stay away from a rental buy. imagine how one person might treat a vehicle he is borrowing from someone he doesnt even know. then times that by hundreds of people who have had their hands on it. to me, buying a rental is like marrying a prostitute. youre just tying yourself down to a ton of issues.

 

[ncranchero]

Haven't added a cooler to mine. No, they do not come wired for brakes.

 

[legnd99]

ok well everything went thru and i end up picking the truck up Friday night. found out a few things after i got it home that i didn't notice before. the transmission fluid is practically brand new, the headlights have been polished and re-sealed, i figured out the key to the bed cover is the ignition key, and the previous owner had a brake controller hooked up and when traded it in just cut the controller out and left all wiring there.

now for the not so great...i got figure out why the drivers side door lock keeps locking itself, and i need some floor mats that rubber floor aint gonna work. does anyone know where to get a decient set "that fits" without going to dealer for factory ones.

 

[Sethybaby]

I can mail you mine for shipping and $10.
They're factory with the hooks and embroidered EXPLORER SPORT TRAC in them. Pics if you like.

I like rubber floors so i took mine out.

 

[legnd99]

Yah ill take them if yah can though send me some pics and I guess a paypal for you and ill send you my address. Thanks man

 

[ncranchero]

LOL, you'd better jump on that ! !

 

[LONO100]

damn, i just saw that chad was checkign interest on his SAS ST. if i was in the market for one i would fly my ass to the midwest to take his off his hands in a heartbeat!

 

[Sethybaby]

Here ya go man. I'll be happy to get them out of my Garage and give a new SportTrac'r a deal.

The Back mat has a few small stains from the previous owner but they're not bad at all. I'll clean'em up before i send them out.

 

[Sethybaby]

Rofl. I just saw what the whole set sells for.

 

[legnd99]

heck yah those are awesome man. ill send yah a private message in a few, but i called a dealership today see about getting a set and they said that the manufacturer that made the mats for 04 and older is no doing the mats for fords and the new company isnt doing them either. kinda sucks for anyone tiring to get a set.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Steve, you need to get some helper air bags under the ass of that Trac, she's a squatin'. LOL

 

[TmacTrac]

Steve, you need to get some helper air bags under the ass of that Trac, she's a squatin'. LOL

 

[legnd99]

well took the truck out yesterday on a test tow of the boat (it was only around 30 yesterday so wasn't going out in it) and it worked great.

was gonna post a pic...but cant figure out how. can someone inform me please.