2003 Expedition

[2001ExpSport]

Has anyone seen the 2003 Expedition?

Is it me or is it completely identical to the 2002 Explorer?

 

[Jason_25]

Not completly identical but very close.

On the positive note, it has a 4 wheel traction system similar to the Benz SUV's that acts like having lockers front and rear.

 

[espnfreak]

yup, i think it looks very similar

 

[2001ExpSport]

I just say the commmercial for it the other day....looks just like an Explorer except bigger.

Also, remember, the 4wheel traction system is LIKE the Merc's, but will never come close to the same quality standards. That's the disappointing part about Ford. Just something really expensive to break a hundred times or not work when you need it and work when you don't.

 

[Texplorer]

Dead Link Removed

This is a thread I posted a while back about the new Expedition. It has some pictures and a summary of what it comes with.

 

[Shawneric]

That same system is available on the 2002 Explorers as well. They started offering it on Explorers built after mid March. The system was derived from the Lincoln LS cars which was derived from Mercedes. It was one of the things that swayed my decision to the Explorer. So far it works as advertised. I have the tow package, but with the Advance Trac system, they put in an open diff in the rear with 3.73s since the Advance Trac will control the locking of the axles giving it the ability to lock or open any of the 4 wheels independently.

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by Shawneric
That same system is available on the 2002 Explorers as well. They started offering it on Explorers built after mid March. The system was derived from the Lincoln LS cars which was derived from Mercedes. It was one of the things that swayed my decision to the Explorer. So far it works as advertised. I have the tow package, but with the Advance Trac system, they put in an open diff in the rear with 3.73s since the Advance Trac will control the locking of the axles giving it the ability to lock or open any of the 4 wheels independently.

WOW!!! I had no idea. This is hilarious........all you guys who have bashed the '02 explorer may have spoke too soon. The '02 with advance trac may be the most capable "stock" explorer yet. (no I am not joking)

 

[Hartman]

Originally posted by Jason_25
Not completly identical but very close.

On the positive note, it has a 4 wheel traction system similar to the Benz SUV's that acts like having lockers front and rear.

Have we mentioned the IRS? And the cookie-cutter interior?

Excuse me for being negative, but this thing sucks. After reading about it in Truck Trend magazine, I was disgusted. The whole article touted "side-curtain" airbags (gag) and the towing ability. So what? It also gave the Expedition high marks for being able to "dampen potholes in nasty parking lots." Give me a break.

And a direct quote from the article, perhaps the most infuriating thing of all:

With the Escape, Explorer, and Expedition running on IRS technology, it's clear Ford wants their SUV's to be the "ride and handling" kings in the SUV market.

And finally the nail in the coffin:

There's more to life than pavement and darting to the mall

 

[Jason_25]

IRS doesn't bother me with that large of a vehicle. If I got one I certainly wouldn't be taking it rockcrawling.

 

[Hartman]

So, they can't give the damn thing it's own identity? Ford is concentrating on their trucks right now, that adds up to 6 vehicles, 6!!! So their designers are too busy to come up with a new look for the Expedition which is supposed to be "new and improved"? Hell, lets slap the Explorer face on all the Ford Trucks, we might as well call them Chevy's!

 

[Jason_25]

I agree with you there Hartman for sure. More and more plastic cladding. It's killing me to see these otherwise fine trucks with all this junk tacked onto them.

 

[jwrezz]

They (Ford) knows they have good looking SUV's so what's the big deal of having them look like each other? It's like a big/little brother thing. I like it. As for all you independent suspension adversaries, one word HUMMER! I don't have any doubt that these (w/ some help from the after market) will be very capable vehicles. Even most of the Full Size trucks now have IFS and there are many 4"-6" kits out there for them. It's a matter of time before indepenent suspensions become the norm. It just makes sense! It's THE best way to keep each wheel where it's supposed to be. It may be expensive, but the best always is! All you guys that are affraid of a little change, just you wait. Not too long ago there wasn't a person in the world looking to make an Explorer into an offroad vehicle. Now we have Explorer4x4.com!

 

[2001ExpSport]

Originally posted by jwrezz
They (Ford) knows they have good looking SUV's so what's the big deal of having them look like each other? It's like a big/little brother thing. I like it. As for all you independent suspension adversaries, one word HUMMER!

I disagree with your good looking trucks comment. The 2003 is not good looking outside or in. The Expedition is garbage. It is too plastic, too ugly and too expensive for what you get. Manufacturers are too interested in cutting corners, it has almost become common place. Garbage at a premium price.

I have to disagree with your Hummer comment too. If they were so great how come we don't see them at rock crawling contests or off roading jamborees? I worked with Hummers for 4 yrs, they are not that great. Especially at 60 grand each.

 

[unabonked]

well i am starting to like the new x and the new expedition. heres why:

IRS yeah a sticking point for me too. Lets face it guys, 2/3rds of all explorer rock crwlers are on this site. Its not that big a segment to keep the suspension from advancing. besides, the underpining are still X and we STILL have the sport.

Traction control system. I read bout this a lot in magazines and it seems to actually be better then what we got now. give it time, i garentee it will come into its own.

exterior. its big, bulky and everything SUV. the classing keeps pebbles from the metal in all situations except rock crawling. we got better headlights now too.

ok i'm not a fan of the interior.

now here is the reason why i'm not worried bout either. Police use. These are used extensivly by municipal, state, federal and railroad police. Railroad and Imagration MUST have capable offroad vehicles. with chevy adapting their impala for police use, ford responded with a V10 intervepter. Thats right a 6.4L V10! do you think they would let GM gain back a market segment they fought so hard tp get into? Hardly.

 

[soupbone]

Originally posted by Shawneric
That same system is available on the 2002 Explorers as well. They started offering it on Explorers built after mid March. The system was derived from the Lincoln LS cars which was derived from Mercedes. It was one of the things that swayed my decision to the Explorer. So far it works as advertised. I have the tow package, but with the Advance Trac system, they put in an open diff in the rear with 3.73s since the Advance Trac will control the locking of the axles giving it the ability to lock or open any of the 4 wheels independently.

how does it lock or open any of the 4 wheels? with the brakes...... ??

 

[Shawneric]

Well, the way they explained it to me is that the 4x4 system (Control Trac) controls the torque split front to rear and the Stability system (Advance Trac) controls the torque split left to right by using the brakes to stop one or both wheels, thereby giving it the ability to send power to all or any combination including just one wheel if necessary. All I know is that the sh*t works as advertised. I have been doing my own experimenting with various wheels on or off the road and in different wet conditions, and have yet to be able to trip it up.

Shawn

 

[Flounder]

The two models have been growing on me. At first I hated the look of both, but after a while, I guess I become numb to them...

 

[soupbone]

ahh so it is the brakes...hrmmm so how about when a wheel is lifted in the air and one in the front has no traction.....

 

[leenjen]

is the 2003 explorer sport still the same? or are they changing that too?...

 

[2001ExpSport]

I believe the Sport and Trac will stay the same. They do have a redesigned SOHC though, the same that goes into the 2002 Explorers.