2002 explorer vs 2000 explorer off-road ability

[Four0Sport]

well i think ford planned out the interiors of all gen explorers with ample back seat room. except for 2drs, but hey they make tents.

 

[RoadBully]

well i think ford planned out the interiors of all gen explorers with ample back seat room. except for 2drs, but hey they make tents.

A tent doesn't help much in -40 degree temperatures in January up here in the great white north.
The rear passenger heater comes in handy though.

 

[Cozmik]

In a 3rd Gen with all back seats flat I can lay out straight. I'm 6'1".

 

[Thelt]

If you are going to keep the 1st gen why not just build it into your off roader? You could buy a 3rd gen for a daily driver and it would not matter if it were an uber capable offroader. For use on the street a 3rd gen blows away most other SUVs.

 

[Four0Sport]

i kinda always wanted a pontiac aztek, just for the oem tent feature. does that make me weird? idk. ive driven 3rd gens and i do agree the road manners are better than the previous platforms, but honestly, i think they are just slightly too big, and too lavish in some models. my friends 07 sport trac with the 4.6 gets worse gas mileage than my 97 5.0, and i was afraid of getting the floor mats dirty lol

 

[99ex22]

i kinda always wanted a pontiac aztek, just for the oem tent feature. does that make me weird? idk. ive driven 3rd gens and i do agree the road manners are better than the previous platforms, but honestly, i think they are just slightly too big, and too lavish in some models. my friends 07 sport trac with the 4.6 gets worse gas mileage than my 97 5.0, and i was afraid of getting the floor mats dirty lol

I agree with the size thing..and also my uncle has an 2006 Explorer XLT and it drives like my grandma's Buick. Not that thats a bad thing or anything but i think trucks are supposed to drive like trucks.-Just my opinion.

 

[Four0Sport]

yeah.. like i said earlier i dont beleive anyone makes a 'truck' based suv anymore. there are a few exceptions, the jeep wrangler being the most popular. everyone is too concerned about ride quality because the majority of buyers of these kinds of vehicles do not take the vehicle off road. and that is fine, i have had instances where i wanted/needed a larger vehicle that can carry people and cargo on long trips that was comfortable. there really isnt a market for these vehicles, which is sad. for example, my mom delivers mail.. only new vehicle out there capable of handling a rural route in wv was a jeep wrangler, b4 that she preferred bronco IIs, she always said they were the 'perfect' delivery vehicle. IMO with the flood of crossovers and other fwd car based suv's manufacturers are going to lose a willing group of buyers who would rather have truck based mid sized 4wds.

back on topic.. im glad to hear youre keeping your first gen, i believe that would be the better weekend getaway vehicle to get you to your remote spots.

 

[Thelt]

i kinda always wanted a pontiac aztek, just for the oem tent feature. does that make me weird? idk. ive driven 3rd gens and i do agree the road manners are better than the previous platforms, but honestly, i think they are just slightly too big, and too lavish in some models. my friends 07 sport trac with the 4.6 gets worse gas mileage than my 97 5.0, and i was afraid of getting the floor mats dirty lol

I thought sport tracs came with no carpet only black rubber mats.

 

[Thelt]

yeah.. like i said earlier i dont beleive anyone makes a 'truck' based suv anymore. there are a few exceptions, the jeep wrangler being the most popular. everyone is too concerned about ride quality because the majority of buyers of these kinds of vehicles do not take the vehicle off road. and that is fine, i have had instances where i wanted/needed a larger vehicle that can carry people and cargo on long trips that was comfortable. there really isnt a market for these vehicles, which is sad. for example, my mom delivers mail.. only new vehicle out there capable of handling a rural route in wv was a jeep wrangler, b4 that she preferred bronco IIs, she always said they were the 'perfect' delivery vehicle. IMO with the flood of crossovers and other fwd car based suv's manufacturers are going to lose a willing group of buyers who would rather have truck based mid sized 4wds.

back on topic.. im glad to hear youre keeping your first gen, i believe that would be the better weekend getaway vehicle to get you to your remote spots.

I bet you could take a stock 3rd gen just about anywhere you could take a stock B2.

 

[Four0Sport]

maneuverability in a b2 far surpasses that of any 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen explorer. and my friends sport trac is fully loaded, all leather, all carpet, all power, chrome door interior accents, looks like a lil wayne concert inside. (bling)

 

[RoadBully]

I feel one question needs to be asked.
Have any of you who seem to be so down on the 3rd gens EVER even tried on offroad???

We're also not talking about sport tracs here... 3rd gen 4 door.

 

[shadowless127]

I feel one question needs to be asked.
Have any of you who seem to be so down on the 3rd gens EVER even tried on offroad???

We're also not talking about sport tracs here... 3rd gen 4 door.

From what I've read, i think the answer is no.

IRS only really start affecting off roading when you're talking about rack crawling....and at that point why you wouldn't have a stripped down CJ is beyond me.

 

[helmsa]

ive driven 3rd gens and i do agree the road manners are better than the previous platforms, but honestly, i think they are just slightly too big, and too lavish in some models.

What exactly do you mean by "slightly too big, and too lavish in some models"? All 3rd gen X's are exactly the same size from the factory. Unless they change in size somewhere between the factory and where we buy them, they should in theory still be the same size. If you are referring to the packaged options on them, who says you can't off road in style?

The Sport Trac built in the era of the X's we are talking about is not built on the same platform and therefore is not even eligible for discussion in this conversation, if you feel the need to bash them please read the heading at the top of this page.

Stock 2002 - 2005 Explorers Questions related to non-modified 2002 - 2005 Explorers and Mountaineers. Sport Trac and Sport use the 1995-2001 forum.

 

[Blee1099]

They are capable to a point for example Jay's old 3rd gen he got rid of. The limitations I saw were the lack of ground clearance.. For basic green trails it will work but but when you go up to the high level rated trails you'll find some issues.. Trails that we run are normally rated from green to black on difficulty.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154166
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144169

 

[Four0Sport]

yes i have been 'off road' in a 3rd gen 4 door with stock tires, no lift, and it performed about as good as most street suv's with stock tires and no lift. arent the 07+ sport tracs built off of the newer explorer platform? i dont see what the big difference between the two in a discussion like this would be, i could be wrong though.

i was simply stating my opinions on the matter and offering my suggestions and they should be taken as such, opinions and suggestions. as far as what I was looking for in a vehicle that i knew i would be taking off road, the 3rd gen explorers did not appeal to me. they are very driveable vehicles with lots of advances over previous models of explorers.

i do have to say though, that picture on your website of you driving up over that massive rock is impressive.. the IRS does eleviate alot of worries with dragging pumpkins over obstacles. very nice website btw.

 

[Four0Sport]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Four0Sport
ive driven 3rd gens and i do agree the road manners are better than the previous platforms, but honestly, i think they are just slightly too big, and too lavish in some models.

What exactly do you mean by "slightly too big, and too lavish in some models"? All 3rd gen X's are exactly the same size from the factory. Unless they change in size somewhere between the factory and where we buy them, they should in theory still be the same size. If you are referring to the packaged options on them, who says you can't off road in style?

The Sport Trac built in the era of the X's we are talking about is not built on the same platform and therefore is not even eligible for discussion in this conversation, if you feel the need to bash them please read the heading at the top of this page.


Quote:
Stock 2002 - 2005 Explorers Questions related to non-modified 2002 - 2005 Explorers and Mountaineers. Sport Trac and Sport use the 1995-2001 forum.

i am not bashing sport tracs or 3rd gens. and by larger i meant 02+ explorers opposed to 91-01.

 

[Eaglekeeper61]

The "formula" could very easily = a 3rd gen.
a few hundred dollars worth of tires, and a bit of lift, and you've got something that won't be stopped by a rainstorm,or a little mud on a trail and still has plenty of room to keep the grilfriend happy in the back if stranded.

hmmmmm.... that might be the best excuse to buy a 3rd gen yet

 

[Four0Sport]

flashlights can double as candles for romantic explorer moments.

 

[Cozmik]

The differing opinions in this discussion are great. I like the points of view people are bringing up. For as many generations of Explorer's there are , there will be die hard fans of whichever one that individual is attracted to. I really enjoyed my 2nd gen Sport. I freaking LOVE my 3rd gen EB. And while they are bigger than gen 2, they aren't THAT much bigger.

And just an FYI, I'm moving my 32" Dick Cepeks over to my gen3 tomorrow...with NO lift. Couldn't do that with my 98.

 

[Eaglekeeper61]

OK, here is what I gather so far.... gen 1's are easist to modify and maybe the best off-roaders but have bad road manners. gen 2's are in most ways similar to the 1's but better road manners. gen 3's have great road manners and are at least decent off-roaders provided you don't rock climb (I don't).

So, here is my next question, what kind of gas mileage are you all getting?