2011 Ford Explorer!

[thaywood]

At least it has a solid rear axle.

Oh yeah. That pre-historic log axle and the cheap-a$$ strut front suspension are the only things I don't like about the S197 Mustang.

It's going to change from solid to IRS in 2012!

Thank God! It's about time the Mustang finally made it to the 21st century.

 

[thaywood]

Here's your ARTICULATION!

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/05/video-articulate-this-chainlink-4x4-is-frighteningly-awesome/

Try this in a solid axle!

All I can say is...HOLY CRAP!!! Personally, I've always thought the fully independent suspension would be better for offroading anyway. Like I've said before, I'm not an "off-roader" per se, but IFS and IRS would appear to be more benneficial to rock crawling and serious off roading than solid axles. But I could be wrong.

 

[Limited02]

Yabba dabba dooooooo!

Did you guys see that?

 

[deamon3]

What made the Explorer so popular was that it was different than anything else at its time.

your right nothing else came before it that wasn't exactly the same,lol

 

[2TimingTom]

your right nothing else came before it that wasn't exactly the same,lol

Or............

Or maybe something from across the Pond:

The original Explorer was 100% original.

 

[thaywood]

I think the point was that the Explorer was diffent in that it was more practical and did most things better than most of the other vehicles like it. Unlike the S-10 Blazer and Jeep Cherokee, the Explorer was designed from the outset as a 4-door utility. It was also bigger and roomier than both the Chevy and Jeep. Either way, the Explorer's success as the best selling SUV of them all for many years shows how much better it was than the rest.

 

[usranger80]

Ok, random question I am hoping someone could answer. Just bought a 2011 Ex Saturday, still haven't got it but should be here by Saturday. Because of the limited availability of the vehicles and the urgent need to upgrade to a 3 row vehicle we had to get the most basic of package...which means none of those features that I thought were just standard on all vehicles these days. My wife and I both really like the "auto headlamp" feature, but because we got the basic package it was not included, at least on our vehicle. What I want to know is if I can just buy the sensor/switch from fordparts and have it installed by the dealer? Or is the sensor pre installed and just not turned on and can be turned on? I know there are aftermarket products out there, but if I can stay with OEM parts for a "reasonable" price I would be willing to spend more to get this feature. I know if I wasn't so impatient I probably could have just waited and got one, but oh, if anyone has any info please let me know.

 

[peterk9]

:wavey: Welcome usranger80. With the vehicle being as new as it is, I don't know if anyone has the answer you're looking for but rest assured they will post if they do. I checked with my dealer's parts department a few weeks ago and they had no info on the 2011 at that time. You may be better off checking with your dealer's service department for your answer. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[usranger80]

I was able to look on FordParts.com and see all the parts for the vehicle. The Sensor #13A018 only runs about 40$, but I may need to change out the Instrument Panel Grill #<044E82, which would run about 130$ and the headlight switch...it would be about a 400$ job in total, probably not worth it since I can get a aftermarket for 40$ but I like to go with factory parts. I have heard that the vehicles without such features often have them included but not activated, probably not the case with this vehicle, but I don't know.

 

[usranger80]

Also, doesn't look the part has changed, same one that is in most ford models back to 2008 as far as I can tell. I guess I was really just wondering if anyone know if its common practice to include whatever wiring may be necessary in a model even if the sensor wasn't present, so it would be a "plug and play" edition of sorts, of course I know they would prob have to be programmed by the dealer computer regardless I guess.

 

[deamon3]

the Explorer's success as the best selling SUV of them all for many years shows how much better it was than the rest.

That would be like saying fast food is better then vegetables because more people buy it. lol

 

[corkey]

That would be like saying fast food is better then vegetables because more people buy it. lol

same as fast food, more people like it better would be the better way of putting it,,

and that was better for Ford,,
kind of why vehicles change, so does the market and designs,,

 

[2TimingTom]

Offroad capable? Here is a video of a Saturn VUE AWD (pretty similar to the 2011 Explorer setup) going offroad. This is the same one I posted pictures earlier with the big mud tires.



IMO, not bad. I think this is about what "most" people think of when going offroad. Not some of the more extreme offroading that requires a winch and a spotter. I think the 2011 Explorer would handle this with no problem.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Also, doesn't look the part has changed, same one that is in most ford models back to 2008 as far as I can tell. I guess I was really just wondering if anyone know if its common practice to include whatever wiring may be necessary in a model even if the sensor wasn't present, so it would be a "plug and play" edition of sorts, of course I know they would prob have to be programmed by the dealer computer regardless I guess.

usr-

Kind of hard to say. With cost-cutting measures, most manufacturers have eliminated most of that, and now have harnesses on the line fit for exact specifications of the vehicle they're building. Saves a lot of money, especially on high-volume vehicles. Since the 2011 is so new, few people have even seen them, let alone tore into them. I'd say your best bet is to have a look, but it will be hard since you don't really know what you're looking for, where it would be, or what would tell you it's ready to go.

I can write someone at Ford Teardown and see if they have a clue, will report back...

 

[thaywood]

Offroad capable? Here is a video of a Saturn VUE AWD (pretty similar to the 2011 Explorer setup) going offroad. This is the same one I posted pictures earlier with the big mud tires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY0GCL9TiOA

IMO, not bad. I think this is about what "most" people think of when going offroad. Not some of the more extreme offroading that requires a winch and a spotter. I think the 2011 Explorer would handle this with no problem.

Not bad. But that looks like my driveway. I drive my car down roads like that every day. And it's RWD with a 300hp V-8. But I do have to admit, that's about all the "off-roading" I ever do. But my '94 4x4 Ex did pull an F-150 out of an icy ditch this morning

 

[tmike]

Not bad. But that looks like my driveway. I drive my car down roads like that every day. And it's RWD with a 300hp V-8. But I do have to admit, that's about all the "off-roading" I ever do. But my '94 4x4 Ex did pull an F-150 out of an icy ditch this morning

I want to see this driveway, I have people that live in Boone, Lumberton, New Bern, Moyock, South Mills and Ashville, so where are you at?

 

[barho]

First post

thaywood - you are clueless. I have owned 3 Jeeps (97 Wrangler, 06 GC SRT and 08 Laredo 4.7L). I need a larger vehicle and the Ford Explorer is the one I am currently considering. IOt has all the capabilities any typical non backwoods hick would need.

For the others on here, keep up the good work.

Also, thought everyone might find this interesting. Looks like Jeep will have a 7 passenger to compete soon. Welcome back Wagoneer!

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110110/DETROIT/110119986

 

[Joe Dirt]

The Vue vid illustrates perfectly what most people are thinking... Good post.

 

[thaywood]

I want to see this driveway, I have people that live in Boone, Lumberton, New Bern, Moyock, South Mills and Ashville, so where are you at?

Here's what my driveway looked like 5 minutes ago:

The time stamp says 7:07, but that's wrong. I took the picture right before I posted this.

West End, NC. I live down a mile long dirt road. It's horrible. Especially when it rains and there are grand canyon sized gullies. Then I have to drag it with my '53 Ford Redbelly tractor and smooth it out. But it only stays smooth for a couple of days until the potholes and washboards come back. It's hard on the cars, but the Ex does fine.

First post

thaywood - you are clueless. I have owned 3 Jeeps (97 Wrangler, 06 GC SRT and 08 Laredo 4.7L). I need a larger vehicle and the Ford Explorer is the one I am currently considering. IOt has all the capabilities any typical non backwoods hick would need.

Whatever you say dude. If you don't want a real 4x4, that's you. I prefer a real truck with a real 4x4 system for when or if I need it.

 

[tmike]

Here's what my driveway looked like 5 minutes ago:

The time stamp says 7:07, but that's wrong. I took the picture right before I posted this.

West End, NC. I live down a mile long dirt road. It's horrible. Especially when it rains and there are grand canyon sized gullies. Then I have to drag it with my '53 Ford Redbelly tractor and smooth it out. But it only stays smooth for a couple of days until the potholes and washboards come back. It's hard on the cars, but the Ex does fine.



Whatever you say dude. If you don't want a real 4x4, that's you. I prefer a real truck with a real 4x4 system for when or if I need it.

So your behind Fort Bragg! I've taking the wife's Saturn Vue V6 FWD back up in there when we were stationed in Norfolk. It got along great on everything I could throw at it. So I really do see a problem with the new Ex on them! A friend mine said that they got 5 Inches of snow in Havelock, my mother-in-law in Lumberton got snow and usually don't.