First off I’ll say this is my first post here. Also, I do not own a Sport Trac but I’m seriously considering purchasing one. I’m in the process of choosing a second vehicle that suits my needs best.
I’ll start off saying what I intend to use this vehicle for. 1) My main use and first priority is going to be for towing my boat. It’s relatively lightweight being a 17’ pro-style aluminum bass boat. I’ll also add that I don’t always launch it at nice, paved ramps but many times at dirt/mud redneck launches at private lakes and backwater areas. 2) My next most common use will be as a pickup. I do a lot of yardwork and farm chores including but not limited to hauling topsoil, gravel, feed, fertilizer, rocks, scrap, square bales, etc and towing small trailers carrying atvs, lawnmowers, lawn tractors, lumber, round bales etc. 3) Third on my priority (though not exactly a use) is looks. Being in my early 20’s that “cool” factor is still important to me. I’d like to have a lift, larger than stock tires, aftermarket wheels, etc. 4) Last on my list of uses would be offroading. I don’t go now nor have a ever really been an enthusiast, but I’m sure that will change if I were to get a Sport Trac.
Now I’ll give a little more insight as to issues that concern me the most. 1) Starting with towing the boat…I know the motor is plenty powerful for my needs, but I’m more concerned with how well the rear shocks handle it and also how well the 4wd will work in the more “backwoods” launches I frequent (assuming upgraded tires are installed). 2) Now for the hauling needs. Some of the items listed that I would haul in the bed are pretty darn heavy. Judging by other posts I have read, the rear suspension would definitely have to be upgraded. I could use any suggestion, links, or advice on this matter from either professional or personal experience. 3) As far as looks go, I think you get the idea of what I want. Basically the same as everyone else on here. My only specifics pertain to the lift really. I wouldn’t want to go higher than about 3”. I’d also like the lift to tie in to my other uses (possible offroading and hauling stuff) so that the lift is performance based versus being only aesthetic. With that lift height, what size tires would fit without rub and would the front drivetrain need to be upgraded as I have read? 4) Back to offroading. I probably would rarely go in itself but I could see it happening when I go camping, go out to my parents farm, bank fishing where sometimes it takes an offroad drive to get to the water, and stuff like that. I wouldn’t need super performance like adding a straight axle, lockers, or massive mud tires but enough to give adequate clearance in ruts on the trails and mud capability.
I’ve been searching for the right vehicle for a while now and haven’t found the best fit yet…a regular half ton truck is expensive and eats gas while not really giving great offroad performance, wranglers which are great offroad but lack cargo space and have limited towing capability, midsize suvs which lack cargo room, Frontiers and Tacomas which cost a lot more than Sport Tracs but are otherwise very similar….
TIA for any responses and sorry for making the post so long
I’ll start off saying what I intend to use this vehicle for. 1) My main use and first priority is going to be for towing my boat. It’s relatively lightweight being a 17’ pro-style aluminum bass boat. I’ll also add that I don’t always launch it at nice, paved ramps but many times at dirt/mud redneck launches at private lakes and backwater areas. 2) My next most common use will be as a pickup. I do a lot of yardwork and farm chores including but not limited to hauling topsoil, gravel, feed, fertilizer, rocks, scrap, square bales, etc and towing small trailers carrying atvs, lawnmowers, lawn tractors, lumber, round bales etc. 3) Third on my priority (though not exactly a use) is looks. Being in my early 20’s that “cool” factor is still important to me. I’d like to have a lift, larger than stock tires, aftermarket wheels, etc. 4) Last on my list of uses would be offroading. I don’t go now nor have a ever really been an enthusiast, but I’m sure that will change if I were to get a Sport Trac.
Now I’ll give a little more insight as to issues that concern me the most. 1) Starting with towing the boat…I know the motor is plenty powerful for my needs, but I’m more concerned with how well the rear shocks handle it and also how well the 4wd will work in the more “backwoods” launches I frequent (assuming upgraded tires are installed). 2) Now for the hauling needs. Some of the items listed that I would haul in the bed are pretty darn heavy. Judging by other posts I have read, the rear suspension would definitely have to be upgraded. I could use any suggestion, links, or advice on this matter from either professional or personal experience. 3) As far as looks go, I think you get the idea of what I want. Basically the same as everyone else on here. My only specifics pertain to the lift really. I wouldn’t want to go higher than about 3”. I’d also like the lift to tie in to my other uses (possible offroading and hauling stuff) so that the lift is performance based versus being only aesthetic. With that lift height, what size tires would fit without rub and would the front drivetrain need to be upgraded as I have read? 4) Back to offroading. I probably would rarely go in itself but I could see it happening when I go camping, go out to my parents farm, bank fishing where sometimes it takes an offroad drive to get to the water, and stuff like that. I wouldn’t need super performance like adding a straight axle, lockers, or massive mud tires but enough to give adequate clearance in ruts on the trails and mud capability.
I’ve been searching for the right vehicle for a while now and haven’t found the best fit yet…a regular half ton truck is expensive and eats gas while not really giving great offroad performance, wranglers which are great offroad but lack cargo space and have limited towing capability, midsize suvs which lack cargo room, Frontiers and Tacomas which cost a lot more than Sport Tracs but are otherwise very similar….
TIA for any responses and sorry for making the post so long
