Looking at buying a 4x4 Sport Trac

[Niks97cobra]

I have been debating for sometime now what my next vehicle would be. I currently own a 97 Cobra and I am selling it so I can buy a truck or suv. I have spent a lot of time trying to decide what I want. Me and my girlfriend go camping as much as possible, and neither of us own a vehicle suited for it. I want a truck I can drive on the beach, or up some trails. I also need a vehicle that can hold the camping gear, since we tend to over pack and take plenty of stuff, though somehow we always forget something important.

Just stopping in to say "hi" and hope I'll be posting here a lot once I get the truck for some info. The car is supposed to be sold by the 24th if my buddy comes through for me. Until then, the Cobra is for sale/trade.

Anyone have any advice on what to look for when buying a Sport Trac?

 

[JohnnyO]

Mostly just look carefully to see if it seems well-maintained. The transmission should be flushed every 30,000 miles, which hardly anyone does, so do that unless you have hard proof that it's been done. I would advise changing ALL the fluids...differentials, tranny, transfer case, coolant, oil, brake, just as a preventative.

The OE shock absorbers are junk even when new, so get Monroe Sensa Trac or Reflex shocks unless they've been replaced already.

03+ Sport Tracs have 4 wheel disc brakes, which are better.

Otherwise, 01-05 Sport Tracs are pretty trouble-free.

 

[Niks97cobra]

I definitely plan on changing all the fluids. I had planned on investing in some kind of cai (or at the very least a k&n), underdrive pullies, and exhaust. I guess I'll add the shock absorbers to that list as well. Thanks for the info! The one I have picked out seems perfect, I just hope it is available for sale when my car finally gets bought in a couple weeks.

 

[JohnnyO]

Zabteck has a CAI that is as good or better than K&N's and costs a bunch less.
Best bang for the buck is probably a Random Technology Y-pipe that replaces the two pre-cats (the main cat stays). I'm told they will still pass emissions with it.
Gibson, Heartthrob, and maybe a few others make cat-back exhausts. I have a Gibson single and picked up 3 mpg on the highway. Heartthrob is the only kit with dual pipes out the back.
The only headers available are from JBA, cost a ton of money, and anyone who's put them on will tell you they are not worth the effort and cost. Not that the headers are bad, just that the stock manifolds are pretty good.
For the front diff you will have to go to a lube shop with a suction machine to drain it. That is the only way to do it short of pulling the whole diff out of the truck. The Valvoline Qwicky-Lube near me changes diff lube for $39.99 so at that price it's not worth the hassle of doing it myself anyway.
An '03-'05 will have a transfer case skidplate. A fuel tank skidplate you will have to order from Ford Accessories, if you're going to seriously off-road. I put one on my old '05 Trac and the list of part numbers is posted around here somewhere.
If you're taking a bunch of stuff camping you can get a cap for the bed from Leer. All Tracs come with roof rails, the crossbars were optional, so your truck may or may not have them. If not, you can order them from Ford.

 

[Niks97cobra]

Great info! Thanks JohnnyO. I'm used to modifying Mustangs so learning about these trucks has been tricky. I'm still trying to figure out what 'SAS' means. I keep seeing that around here and on the ranger forums.

 

[JohnnyO]

I'm still trying to figure out what 'SAS' means. I keep seeing that around here and on the ranger forums.

SAS means Solid Axle Swap. You won't need it. LOL.

 

[Niks97cobra]

Ahh, that makes sense. Not sure why I couldn't figure that out.