2nd Gen Spotter's Guide

[2TimingTom]

Is there a guide to tell what approximate year a 2nd gen is just by looking at it? I know the rear hatch changed from a T-handle to open the glass and liftgate to a squeeze type handle. I believe the T-handle was on phased out in '97 or '98.

Anyone know?

Anyone know of any other changes that can help you identify the year?

 

[BradR]

Tail lights, but that goes in hand with the T-handle.

For Mountaineers you can tell by the headlights, I think 98-01 switched to the 1-bulb turn signal.

I can see this thread getting pretty big as you have Explorers, Explorer Sports, Explorer Sport Tracs, and Mountaineers.

A few I know... Refer to 4 doors

95-97 V8 Badges are square, 98+ are a simple V8..

95-97 T-Handle vs 98+ under the Ford symbol handle

95-97 never had a plastic bumper with fog lights If I'm not mistaken

Uhmm... Yeah.

 

[SoNic67]

^^ Nice quote, I remember that thread

Another difference is at the tailights - the pre 98 models have some black lines in between the colours, latter don't.

1994-1997 _____________________________________________________________1998+

 

[Joe Dirt]

'95 - early '97 mirrored tint
late '97 - '01 smoke tint

 

[Brandon96]

From the front; Bumpers were changed somewhere in '98

'95 - '98 bumper

'98 - '01 bumper

(some of the '98 and ups were all plastic were the one above has chrome inserts)

 

[BurnTheLight88]

If you can get up close, read the VIN digit code for the year