Brakes don´t have initial bite

[gdgiordano]

I had the 2010 4x4 which should be heavier than the 2013 2wd. As for the frame, yes I lost the firmness of the 2010, the 2013 drives like a lifted sedan. It's not bad. Prefer the 2010 in that aspect. With the 2013 you have more power, better fuel economy and brakes. I'd make the trade any day of the week.

My 1997 wasn’t much heavier than my 2010 even though it had steel everything and the 2010 has a lot of plastic.

 

[07EddyB]

the 2013 drives like a lifted sedan. It's not bad. Prefer the 2010 in that aspect.

I'm glad you like it and have adapted to it. I owned two trucks before I bought my Ex. I only did that when the third kid came along and I needed additional dry storage and interior space. Even a quad cab pickup can't compete in interior space with an Ex. First thing I bought after the Ex was a trailer - I was using my truck - I had to retain that utility.
My first truck was bought in 1994. Everything I had owned up until then was a car but it was still full frame rear wheel drive. I guess I'm just an old dinosaur waiting for the next meteor strike. I own two other vehicles - both unibody front wheel drives. I can tolerate them - but it's just not there for me.
I spend way too much time keeping my Ex up and running. But I don't have many alternatives at this point. Somewhere along the line, the 'crossover' moniker disappeared and now what used to be a crossover is now called a SUV. The latest gen Ex is a prime example.
I wish you the best of luck with your new ride. I just wanted to vent a bit I guess. I've learned over the years - it's probably my problem - not yours. So don't take this as a criticism of your decision.

 

[Explorer75]

My 1997 wasn’t much heavier than my 2010 even though it had steel everything and the 2010 has a lot of plastic.

The 2011+ is bigger, mo

I'm glad you like it and have adapted to it. I owned two trucks before I bought my Ex. I only did that when the third kid came along and I needed additional dry storage and interior space. Even a quad cab pickup can't compete in interior space with an Ex. First thing I bought after the Ex was a trailer - I was using my truck - I had to retain that utility.
My first truck was bought in 1994. Everything I had owned up until then was a car but it was still full frame rear wheel drive. I guess I'm just an old dinosaur waiting for the next meteor strike. I own two other vehicles - both unibody front wheel drives. I can tolerate them - but it's just not there for me.
I spend way too much time keeping my Ex up and running. But I don't have many alternatives at this point. Somewhere along the line, the 'crossover' moniker disappeared and now what used to be a crossover is now called a SUV. The latest gen Ex is a prime example.
I wish you the best of luck with your new ride. I just wanted to vent a bit I guess. I've learned over the years - it's probably my problem - not yours. So don't take this as a criticism of your decision.

No worries man, 4th gen is a great truck. Just recently got too scared of the brakes. My 3rd baby was born and suddenly I have my whole family (wife, 6 year old, 4 year old and newborn) aboard, some asshole stops in front of me on the highway and I barely manage to stop a couple of feet from crashing. That's when I knew I had to do something. I guess I was ventilating too with my post. It was actually hard to sell the truck, it was the vehicle I've had with the best feeling on the road. It felt the perfect size for a SUV. Traction was also superb. In 4+ years I only felt the wheels spinning for maybe second. The other day on the 2013 I just had the wheels spinning for several seconds until I let go of the gas. Of course that's the problem of fwd vs rwd and the 2010 was also auto 4x4, I don't think the 4x4 engaged in those situations thou.

 

[07EddyB]

I hear you man - I hear you. I never meant to imply that you made the wrong choice. Family comes first always.
I'm the one with the problem

 

[gdgiordano]

The 2011+ is bigger, mo

No worries man, 4th gen is a great truck. Just recently got too scared of the brakes. My 3rd baby was born and suddenly I have my whole family (wife, 6 year old, 4 year old and newborn) aboard, some asshole stops in front of me on the highway and I barely manage to stop a couple of feet from crashing. That's when I knew I had to do something. I guess I was ventilating too with my post. It was actually hard to sell the truck, it was the vehicle I've had with the best feeling on the road. It felt the perfect size for a SUV. Traction was also superb. In 4+ years I only felt the wheels spinning for maybe second. The other day on the 2013 I just had the wheels spinning for several seconds until I let go of the gas. Of course that's the problem of fwd vs rwd and the 2010 was also auto 4x4, I don't think the 4x4 engaged in those situations thou.

Maybe a 2020 Bronco will be in your future they are on the ranger chassis. I antipate then picking up where the 4th gens left off.

 

[thebrakeman]

Well - I was going to be smart and show you that the 2013 stops better because it's lighter. Then I do the research and find out that a 2010 with a V6 runs about 4500 curb weight. Guess what - so does a 2013. So they lost the frame and didn't lose any weight?
That seems like a waste.

Stiffness requires mass. The 4th gen had a truck frame, with a lightweight body bolted to it. The 5th gen is a crossover, which means the stiffness has to be built into the body structure. Just because it's a crossover, does not mean it will be lighter, and as you found, that's not the case. What the truck frame does for you is avoid towing (and other) loads from having to be absorbed by the body. But there are plenty of "crossover" structures that can tow. Look to the current Dodge Durango. It's a crossover, and the Hemi version with HD tow package tows the same as a 4th gen V8 Explorer (around 7400 lbs). Ford abandoned this market (mid-sized SUV with big towing), leaving it to the Expedition (full-sized).

But back to the brakes, don't believe there is anything special about "Motorcraft". They get their brake pads from the same suppliers as everyone else. And given the various grades of aftermarket pads available, if you get the top-end aftermarket, they will perform well. In the case of the Explorer brakes, my Mounty's actuation has always felt soft for engagement, especially compared to my Mazda. But I can also tell you that anytime I've needed to stop fast (with our without the 5200 lb trailer in tow), it's been up to the task. It just takes more travel. But in an emergency stop, the time difference between a 3" apply and a 6" apply is nothing. You simply stomp on the brake pedal!

I had an emergency brake/lane change on the way home from Chicago last year (my fault, wasn't paying attention, glad I didn't have the camper. Full braking, swerved hard left, and just barely missed the car in front of me. Corrected to the right, and the stability control kept me pointed correctly, as we drifted into the center concrete divider. Again, completely my fault. But this 12 year old SUV kept my family safe, brakes and all.

 

[07EddyB]

Stiffness requires mass. The 4th gen had a truck frame, with a lightweight body bolted to it. The 5th gen is a crossover, which means the stiffness has to be built into the body structure.

I don't believe the body is that much lighter. Engineers have been working for years to increase strength with lower weight. Don't forget that on frame carries it's mass lower and the body is basically isolated from the road. It is a totally different feeling which is easy to forget if you don't have the opportunity to switch between the two often like I do.