2011 Ford Explorer!

[Ache Brown]

The 2011 Explorer has 8.3 inches of ground clearance (with the 20 inch wheel & tire group), with 7.6 inches being the absolute minimum.

I am trying to understand whether different models have different ground clearance, what do I have to ask for to get maximum ground clearance?

many thanks
AB

 

[Joe Dirt]

It is based on the wheel/tire combination chosen...

 

[Ache Brown]

So if i go for the XLT or the Limited and have 20" wheels this is what I get or do i have to watch out for other things as well?

Thanks
AB

 

[Mishtar]

From everything I have read it is just the rims that change the clearance. So an XLT with the 20" will give you the same clearance as the LTD. Though I think the larger you go up in rim size the harder it will be to find tires and more expensive. Plus a smaller tire should handle better in snow, or at least skinner tires do.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nope, as Mishtar said, it will be the rims that change the clearance.

 

[peterk9]

From everything I have read it is just the rims that change the clearance. So an XLT with the 20" will give you the same clearance as the LTD. Though I think the larger you go up in rim size the harder it will be to find tires and more expensive. Plus a smaller tire should handle better in snow, or at least skinner tires do.

I'm currently using 245/65R17 Winter tires on Rav4 17" steelies on my Highlander. The OEM alloys are 19". When I get the 2011 Explorer Limited, I plan to use those same Winter tires and buy the base Explorer 17" steel wheels to mount them on.
I'll then have the Rav4 rims and TPMS valves to try and sell.

 

[Mishtar]

I plan on buying the 17' base rims for my LTD as well to get winter tires. I searched on Tirerack and they only sold 2 winter tires that fit the 18" rims. They had about 6 different ones for the 17" rim size.

 

[Mishtar]

I plan on buying the 17' base rims for my LTD as well to get winter tires. I searched on Tirerack and they only sold 2 winter tires that fit the 18" rims. They had about 6 different ones for the 17" rim size.

Woops I meant my XLT.

 

[MarielleLeigh]

Happy New Year everyone!!!

 

[LincolnAviFan]

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Same to you, Marielle!

 

[Limited02]

Took a picture of a 2011 Limited Ex the other day. I must say it looked GOOD in person, fronts seats look comfy. I will say I wasn't excited about the exhaust from the motor, it was flipping TINY!!! I have a picture, need to post it later.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yeah, but you're going to put Flowmaster 50's on there anyway so you can just repipe it. Be sure to post an exhaust clip.

 

[willied]

I test drove a new Explorer today, 4x4 XLT in white. It had a really good ride, nice steering, great acceleration for a V6, nice materials inside, but I had one major gripe...the visibility is terrible. The door sills are so high, the dash is high up relative to the seats, the pillars are very large. I don't know how people drive vehicles like this, it's ridiculous.

 

[peterk9]

I test drove a new Explorer today, 4x4 XLT in white. It had a really good ride, nice steering, great acceleration for a V6, nice materials inside, but I had one major gripe...the visibility is terrible. The door sills are so high, the dash is high up relative to the seats, the pillars are very large. I don't know how people drive vehicles like this, it's ridiculous.

Although I cannot offer my own opinion on visibility, not having sat in one, I have read many reviews and test drives on the Explorer and I do not recall any of them being critical of the visibility factor. The dealer through which I ordered mine is getting one in next week so I'll be able to get a first hand look.

 

[Limited02]

Yeah, but you're going to put Flowmaster 50's on there anyway so you can just repipe it. Be sure to post an exhaust clip.

You'll be waiting about 6 years to hear an exhaust clip from me

 

[Joe Dirt]

I have Sam's SoCal patience...

 

[willied]

Although I cannot offer my own opinion on visibility, not having sat in one, I have read many reviews and test drives on the Explorer and I do not recall any of them being critical of the visibility factor.

I actually commented to my mom about that, too, which surprised me. It felt kind of like the Grand Cherokee on the inside (sat in one, but didn't test drive it). I think it's probably just inherent to it being unibody and a crossover. But my Explorer has much better visibility than the new one for sure, and my mom's 2000 Expedition has even better visibility.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Just the trend of high beltline vehicles. Look at the Chrysler 300... That thing is ridiculous.

 

[thaywood]

But the 300 is such a bad-ass awesome car! Who cares if you can's see out the windows?

 

[edge929]

Am I the only one who thinks the 300 is an ugly vehicle? Looks they took it to the scrap yard, drove it into the compactor and triggered the top hydraulic to smash the roof down. Windows are tiny and that front grill. It reminds me of a Rolls Royce and let's face it, Chrysler will never be Rolls and there is a slight difference in price.