04 Expl. question's/opinion's please

[Fallguy]

Hi all, Newbie here , but need your opinion's.
I currently have a 4x4 03 Supercrew. I love it but I want to get an SUV. I am brand loyal to Ford,but had my doubt's about getting an Expl. I drove one on saturday(04 xlt 4x4 sport) and really liked it . It did'nt give me that small truck feel that I had with my prev. 99 expl.
Here's where I need your help. I do go off roading, mild to moderate , fire trail's , farm field's and some hill's,and lot's of snow wheeling, but no rock crawling or air jumping or anything severe like that. I was still skeptical until I read about the NBX model. It say's it has off road tuned suspension,so I would think it would sit slightly higher than a X-sport would. Also it's the only model to get the off road package on.(here anyway)

It seem's like people don't like the new style X's , Why ? Do you think this would be able to handle what I need ? or should I look elsewhere at another brand ? I know they have made some improvment's on the suspension since 02 first came out.

I would purchase a "NBX" 4x4 with a V8 and control-trac 4wd.
Trailer tow with locking rear diff. ect...

I have yet to see one in person though except in the brochure.

I did have a 99 & liked it alot but after the Supercrew came out I bought an 01 Screw & then bought an 03 Srew. I usually rotate vehicle's every 2 year's but find myself wanting an SUV again for the conv. of it. I do get to the city and manuvering that Screw around can get to be a pain in the butt.

Please give me your thought's
Fallguy~~~~

 

[dman726749]

my mom has an 03 mounty so i have had some experience with the new style. for offroad use they are not that great from what i have heard. you cant lift them at all because of the axles going through the frame.but if you dont do taht difficult of trails who knows how far you coud take it till you get it out there are try. they ride great on the street. its really up to you and what you want to get in teh end

 

[zensius]

If you're looking at a Sport than it's a 2 door right? Then all that was just said in the previous post does not apply. That's for the 4 door. If that's what you are looking at then he's right. The 2 door is a solid rear axle and isn't as much a problem to lift. There's a few liffed late model sports on here. I think with bigger tires the sport is very capable for trail use.

 

[Heath]

zensius, I believe sport is a package that they put on the 4 doors... I'm not sure but I think the X Sport (2 door) is no more... I know its being phased out, just not sure what year...

 

[zensius]

Well, then everybody is right but me!

 

[Heath]

LOL... Well at least you can smile about it right...

 

[Fallguy]

I guess not many people think to highly of the New style 04 X. I am very Ford loyal but maybe I'll have to go to a Jeep GC. I hate to do it but Ford does'nt offer anything else for me. I do like to go off road and I know the Jeep can handle what I want to do,but it pisses me off that they are Yupping all this crap out. I mean I don't want to lift it or anything but I want to play a little off road & get muddy once in a while

I don't want to go foreign or GM .

Now WTF !! should I do......Jeep GC ??? I know I'll probably hear stay away from the Jeep , but what other option's do I have. I like the Spor-trac but it's to small for me inside.

Oh and yes I was talking about the 4x4 XLT 4 door sport model or getting an "NBX" I wil;l look into the NBX before I rule it out completely .