Brotherinlaw about to buy sport trac-what options should I tell him to get?

[Bored_2wd]

Alright, explorer sport trac, what options are best? is a 4.10 axle available? Limited slip? Is the sport trac still a solid axle in back, or is it the independant stuff? What other things should he get?
--Bob

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by Bored_2wd
Alright, explorer sport trac, what options are best? is a 4.10 axle available? Limited slip? Is the sport trac still a solid axle in back, or is it the independant stuff? What other things should he get?
--Bob

The Sport trac is still solid axle in the rear. If he is planningn on lifting it,and putting on larger tires, he should get the highest axle ratio available.

What year is he looking at?

 

[todd_c]

The Sport Trac chassis is essentially the same as the 95-01 4-door Explorer. The 4.10 is a good idea (it is included in the 16" wheel package, also includes step bars and fog lamps) and so is the LS. Other options are a matter of personal preference (leather, upgraded stereo, etc.) If he wants the hard tonneau cover, order it with the truck because it can cost up to $900 from the dealer later.

 

[Alec]

Also, at some point they gave all STs 4 wheel disc brakes I believe. That is a great feature, so make sure he gets a newer one with them.

 

[John_Rock]

Originally posted by todd_c
The Sport Trac chassis is essentially the same as the 95-01 4-door Explorer.

Huh? Sport Trac's chassis/frame is not the same as the 95-01 4 doors Explorers. Here's a quote from an old article on www.truckworld.com:

Stretching the Explorer's wheelbase 14.25 inches, or a little longer than a full Subway sandwich, may not seem like much, but when you stiffen up the chassis by 40%, add gussets all along the length of its new, thicker frame rails, employ larger brake rotors, and recalibrate the suspension with new thicker two-stage rear springs, you know the Ford engineers were working overtime on the Sport Trac.

Dead Link Removed

If he wants rear disc brakes he definitely has to buy a 2003 model. I don't know what the current options packages are, but I would recommend the 4.10 rear end.

 

[todd_c]

I suppose I should have said a modified Explorer frame. The stiffer frame is definitely noticable, particularly in torsion. The 4wd system is also different from the Explorer. The Sport Trac does not use the Control Trac automatic system.