Finally a Gen III Explorer Owner!!!

[NJExplorerFan]

I wanted to send my personal thanks to everything who has responded to my past threads and have given me insight and input on my questions and concerns. I learned a lot and was able to finally find the Explorer that meets my needs. Took about 2 months, but I finally found my new toy!

I only have some cell phone shots from the day I picked it up last week. This one is a black 2003 XLT V8 with the dark grey interior. Has 3rd row seating, 17" wheels, moonroof, back-up sensor etc. It's pretty loaded and has the Class III/IV hitch with 3.73 gears. It's never been in an accident and currently has 72K miles. I just brought it to my local Ford dealer over the weekend and got an oil change, tire rotation and wheel alignment. Next will be a full tune up @ 75K miles.

Check this puppy out. The last picture is my Mustang which it will tow

 

[WoodrowCall]

Congrats, I'll be picking up my Gen III this Wednesday! I can't wait; great pictures also!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Very nice!

 

[BrianDye]

Thats the exact combonation id get if I got the 3rd gen, besides the 3rd row seats VERY nice!

 

[NJExplorerFan]

Thanks everyone! I'm really happy with it so far. I can't believe the ride quality difference from my former '97 model. Handles much better, a lot smoother and just overall feels as solid as a tank. I think it's also just a little bit taller and wider. Not sure about overall length. And of course 2 happy thumbs up from me on the looks. It's gorgeous!!!!

 

[Hevyg]

That is a nice looking rig. Thanx for sharing!

 

[FloridaState]

Thanks everyone! I'm really happy with it so far. I can't believe the ride quality difference from my former '97 model. Handles much better, a lot smoother and just overall feels as solid as a tank. I think it's also just a little bit taller and wider. Not sure about overall length. And of course 2 happy thumbs up from me on the looks. It's gorgeous!!!!

Yeah, dude, looks real good. And I know what you mean over ride quality, to an extent. I've driven my uncle's Expedition many times (I'm not sure what year, but I want to say 2006), and the ride is just totally different, and the handling is pretty darn good for such a gigantic SUV. I imagine the newer Explorers are similar.

And yeah, the third gens are a bit higher than the second. I have a '97 and a third gen pulled up and parked next to me today, and it was definitely taller than mine.

 

[BigRondo]

Congrats on the sweet ride!!

 

[CALDWELL]

what i would do with a BLACK V8

i envy you sir

I read that it will be a tow piece for the stang, but if you have any plans to mod the X...

INTAKE / EXHAUST / TUNE - COMBO = F'ING AWESOME !

these will help your X tow better, and suprise a few people around town lol

 

[zerodevil]

SHES A PURTY ONE!! i want to steal that black/silver combo! congrats and welcome to the Club, and the even more exclusive V8 club lol. If you ever decide to drop some mods be sure to hit us up in the modified forums. Any plans for anything aftermarket? a custom tune along with exhaust and a Cold air intake will produce significantly more low end torque as well.


P.s. i have to mop the drool off my floor after looking at your mustang!

 

[CALDWELL]

I'd like to add, while Zero is mopping up his drool lol hahahha !


should you decide to start modding, Zero is the V8 bolt on king of the 3rd gen section.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Nice deal. I have a balck IIIgen as well.

Can't go wrong with black, very classic.

Henry Ford did always say, my customers can have any color they like as long as it's black.

 

[DONJUNITO]

Congrats....I like the black on gray color pick....However you are only missing the Auto climate control.....It's the best thing it ever happenned to the Explorer....Below my EB '03 103K.

 

[DONJUNITO]

1

 

[NJExplorerFan]

SHES A PURTY ONE!! i want to steal that black/silver combo! congrats and welcome to the Club, and the even more exclusive V8 club lol. If you ever decide to drop some mods be sure to hit us up in the modified forums. Any plans for anything aftermarket? a custom tune along with exhaust and a Cold air intake will produce significantly more low end torque as well.


P.s. i have to mop the drool off my floor after looking at your mustang!

hahaha... Thanks for the compliments! Regarding mods, it's just in my blood. You know it! My Mustang is my mod queen. I will consider perhaps throwing on some mods after I get the basics done. So far I've done the oil change, tire rotation and wheel alignment. The alarm goes in it Friday morning too. Next will be a full tune up, and I'm gonna save up for brakes, tires etc. down the road.

 

[thepotroast]

Very nice 3rd gen, looks to be an NBX package (No-boundaries X), same that I have. Very good pick of an 03...strong truck

 

[alexk]

That's the exact one I want! My next car, maybe this summer, is defiantly going to be an explorer and I want either one exactly like yours or a white limited v8 of coarse! Lol. Congrats you've been looking for a while and good to know you finally found one you like

 

[zerodevil]

for breaks i recommend powerstop rotors, they are drilled and zink plated, and suprisingly cheep!! Whats left on my mod list for now are heads, cams, new coils, lowering and sway bars... after that i think ill be done with her... that is unless i decide to do somthing childish and crazy and drop a kenne bell supercharger and a built level 10 trans on her... and go for 11 second 1/4s lol.

 

[NJExplorerFan]

Very nice 3rd gen, looks to be an NBX package (No-boundaries X), same that I have. Very good pick of an 03...strong truck

I'm curious... how would I know if I do indeed have an NBX package?

 

[zerodevil]

no window sticker? tisk tisk tisk lol, unless it was debadged it would likely have an NBX pannel on the back hatch. also unique floor mats and roof rack.