Sport Dressed as an XLT?

[97Sandbox]

Saw this Ex on craigslist and thought it looked mighty interesting.

I've heard of the Explorer Expedition being like an Eddie Bauer spec sport, but I've never seen a sport with chrome bumpers and no factory fender flares. I honestly think it's a nice clean look. Anyone have one like this?

 

[EB4X]

That's clean....I'm glad you posted....I couldn't remember who / nor find post where we discussed you looking for a rust free one / and how I might be able to mediate one here in So Calif.... did search but to no avail.
Where is this one located?

 

[97Sandbox]

Yep, I'm still looking for a clean manual truck. This one's in Anchorage and has a blown head gasket, so I don't think it'll be the one for me haha! I just thought the trim level was interesting. I don't think Ive ever seen another sport like it.

 

[Mbrooks420]

It’s probably factory. They offered many trim/bumper combos over the years.

 

[97Sandbox]

Found another 2DR Explorer in this trim -- realized it's not a Sport at all, it's an XL!

I guess the XL has chrome bumpers, only comes in manual, and doesn't have the black paint on the sides of the rear window like an XLT?

 

[97Sandbox]

Apparently the XL came in a 4DR 4x4 configuration too -- still manual without black on the liftgate though.

 

[EB4X]

Interesting, I wish mine had body paint on rear hatch pillars like that one, instead of Ford OEM rattle-can black, like most mine are peeling. Recently plasti-dipped them.

 

[97Sandbox]

Interesting, I wish mine had body paint on rear hatch pillars like that one, instead of Ford OEM rattle-can black, like most mine are peeling. Recently plasti-dipped them.

I personally prefer how the black looks with the tinted rear windows and liftgate glass, but I too have had to repaint mine (a couple times now). I've always used the Rustoleum semi gloss black because it's durable, easy to find, and fairly cheap. That said, I plasti-dipped my rims several years ago and they're holding up well too. Like any coating, the prep work is key.

 

[EB4X]

I like the black pillars too but since mine and 80% of them that I see are peeling due to poor quality OEM flat black I'd take the acrylic polyurethane enamel body paint over that. I don't have the patience nor justify all the labor on a '95 rig to do it correctly - sand it all down to smooth surface / prime / paint etc......if the rest of the rig was in near mint condition I would seriously consider the time investment.
P.S. I just checked for some Sports in my area for you and one that seemed to have potential turned out to be a pig in a tuxedo.... ....overheated SOHC....but still "running"

 

[97Sandbox]

P.S. I just checked for some Sports in my area for you and one that seemed to have potential turned out to be a pig in a tuxedo.... ....overheated SOHC....but still "running"

Haha thanks!

Yeah, I've been trying to stay on top of the hunt, but there's a lot of junk out there on CL and folks on FB Marketplace generally all seem to be flaky. I know something will come up eventually -- till then, I'll be savoring the last miles in my '97 on the three gears I have left!

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Found another 2DR Explorer in this trim -- realized it's not a Sport at all, it's an XL!

View attachment 330234
I guess the XL has chrome bumpers, only comes in manual, and doesn't have the black paint on the sides of the rear window like an XLT?

Before 2004, Sport = 2 doors. XL, XLT, etc are just trim levels.

 

[97Sandbox]

Before 2004, Sport = 2 doors. XL, XLT, etc are just trim levels.

Yes, I understand how XL and XLT (and others) are common trim levels for the four door trucks, but I was previously unaware that any second gen two door trucks came in the XL trim. I have definitely seen them that way in the first gen trucks.

If I understand correctly, '95-'98 (?) two door trim levels went something like XL<Sport<Expedition

And four door trim levels went XL<XLT<Eddie Bauer<Limited.

At some point XL became XLS -- '99 I think?

Maybe we're saying the same thing; all Sports ('91-'03) are two doors, but not all two doors are Sports.

 

[Mbrooks420]

All two doors are Sports. IE it’s a 1994 Explorer Sport XL. They have different trim levels. The expedition was only a 1995 thing.

 

[EB4X]

I never heard of a "Explorer Expedition" until I saw one of the emblems on Ebay for it last week. And when on my search for a 4.0 OHV engine Explorer (knowing of the SOHC timing cassette issues) I would seek out the "basic / budget" version Explorers -- XL or XLS for 97 - 2000 years knowing they were the one's that always had the OHV engine in them....as well as the 95 or 96's that only had the V6 in OHV setup.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

All two doors are Sports. IE it’s a 1994 Explorer Sport XL. They have different trim levels.

I started to post something similar this morning, but from my phone at work and I got interrupted. All 2 doors are Sports, and all 2003 and earlier Sports are 2 doors. 2 door = Sport, Sport = 2 doors.

 

[toypaseo]

Yep, I'm still looking for a clean manual truck. This one's in Anchorage and has a blown head gasket, so I don't think it'll be the one for me haha! I just thought the trim level was interesting. I don't think Ive ever seen another sport like it.

Autotrader - page unavailable

www.autotrader.com

Have fun haggling on price. 2WD with 46181 miles...

 

[97Sandbox]

Have fun haggling on price. 2WD with 46181 miles...

Man that truck looks clean! But yeah, I don't think I could bring myself to pay $8k for a 20+ year old Explorer in any condition.

Favorite line: "IT IS PRICED TO SELL QUICK"

 

[Mbrooks420]

I love how they know it’s had “highway miles”. The mileage is actually low enough it’s probably a bad thing. 2wd, $4,500 tops, and that’s even silly.

 

[EB4X]

Here's a clean one with low miles and cheap (what's the catch...right?) but it's auto and I'm pretty sure you wanted a stick like most Sports are....

1998 Ford Explorer for Sale in Adelanto, CA - OfferUp

Good, For sale is my 1998 Ford Explorer sport ! Runs and drives good . No mechanical issues . Has tow hitch to tow trailers or anything you might need to tow. Power windows, power door locks , roof rack and side steps . It is a Clean title and registration up to date. Has after market stereo...

offerup.com

 

[toypaseo]

I’m kinda sorta considering this one...