Before I buy

[oceanbeast]

Hello all. I am in the need of a versatile midsize truck with 4 doors and 4x4. Naturally the sport trac is on my short list, I've always like them.

I have heard a varying degree of praise and criticism towards the sport trac and wanted to come to a place where real owners could help me decide if this is the right truck for me.

I am currently debating on these trucks:
Sport trac
Ridgeline
Dakota
or silverado but probably not

My main concern is that I have read the sport trac is 1. Not fuel efficient and 2. Not good off road

I would like to maintain an average of 18mpg if possible and this truck will be used for hunting in Fl and NC so it has to be able to get up into the mountains. I also like to go "muddin'"

your feedback is appreciated.

 

[colintrax]

The 1st gen ST is very good offroad, the 2nd gen... eh. Still better than a ridgeline.

18 mpg is possible long as you drive with a light foot and don't go crazy with massive tires and bumpers.

 

[oceanbeast]

Thanks, I think at best the largest tires I would consider are 265/75 or 255/85 on stock wheels.

The only reason I am considering a Ridgeline is because it comes standard with side curtain airbags and although my kids will not ride with me all the time, the few times they do I would like to feel like they are safe.

 

[colintrax]

The Ridgeline is probably safer than the ST, but I'd feel comfortable with kids in a ST. Ridgeline isn't a BAD truck, it's just not a truck IMHO. Besides its ugly as sin.
The Dakotas have always had reliability problems. But I'd own one before I owned a Honda.
Silverado isn't really in the same boat as the other trucks you mentioned but I don't have any good or bad things to say about them. Just a 1/2 ton truck to me.

 

[oceanbeast]

It's hard to beat the sport trac in a lot of comparisons. I have read the V8 is the engine to get but a second gen is probably not in my budget, I'd want to stay under 8k and closer to 5k if possible.

So I really think that means a first gen, leather is not a feature I want in any case. Were side curtains ever available on these?

 

[ranger-93]

Hopefully 01strunner and/or offtrac will chime here. I had the pleasure to wheel with both of them at Gulches back in 2012 I Believe. They both run 35's with minimal lift and still average around 15 mpg IIRC. With smaller tires like you're talking about you should be ok provided you keep your foot out of it. Both trucks performed really well IMO. I don't think you would go wrong with a ST. Welcome to the forum.

 

[colintrax]

I don't believe so, the ST and any of the old Explorers aren't exactly the safest vehicle. But no truck is, if safety is the major concern you need plastic bumpers, crumble zones, traction controls, and lots of airbags.
The 2nd gen has IRS so I wouldn't suggest it for offroad use. It'll probably go where you need it to but...
If you can't find a ST without leather you can swap seats from an Explorer or Ranger up front. Not sure about the back seats though, hopefully another member can chime in.

FYI, the ST is gonna be about as safe as your 4 Runner. If you care to, you can look up the safety ratings. Just use google and look for the .gov site

 

[oceanbeast]

I love my 4runner and it does everything I need out of the ST except I need a bed sometimes. And it's been meticulously kept bought it from an older man who was obsessive with maintenance. I would hate to take it offroad and bang it up, paint has no scratches.