New vehicle question..

[spotdog14]

Hey guys, first time posting here. Let me start off my saying my dad did have a 96 Explorer Eddie Baur Eddition untill two days ago when it got driven into a snowplow. Everyone is fine. I my self own a Ranger. But he is in the market for a new vehicle. He always uses my truck up north to do stuff, and he loves the SUV, so i was thinking about either the Sport trac or an Ranger FX4 Level II or another Explorer. What woudl you guys recomend?

 

[SaleenEXP]

does he want to use it for offroading like the the Ranger FX4, or want on-road performance like the 02' and up Explorers/Mounty's.

 

[spotdog14]

Originally posted by SaleenEXP
does he want to use it for offroading like the the Ranger FX4, or want on-road performance like the 02' and up Explorers/Mounty's.

well...lol...i am more of the offroader than he is! so, i think what woudl happen is i would barrow his truck, if he got one more and let him drive mine! lol...But he hardly ever goes off roading...uses 4x4 but usually in the winter, or when he dosnt want to mess up the grass. But he does go back in some fields to feed the deer. The new explorers look like they wouldent be that good offroad. Is that true?

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by spotdog14
well...lol...i am more of the offroader than he is! so, i think what woudl happen is i would barrow his truck, if he got one more and let him drive mine! lol...But he hardly ever goes off roading...uses 4x4 but usually in the winter, or when he dosnt want to mess up the grass. But he does go back in some fields to feed the deer. The new explorers look like they wouldent be that good offroad. Is that true?

well, the 02' and up Explorers have better approach and departure angles, and their a little better off-road than a stock 2nd gen, but they are limited in mods as far as off-roading is concerned. A body lift, and bigger tires is about it, although somebody is comming out with like a 3" suspension lift, but that'll pry be the max. I have an off-raod test somewhere and they said the 02' Explorer handles better and is better offroad than other generations and that it was like being in a Lincoln off-road compared to other gens. But thats stock for stock, modded a 2nd or 1st gen will slaughter it off-road.

I'm getting an 03' 4.6 Mounty, but it's going to be set up for on-road performance. The 4.6 hauls azz, and will be sick after it's modded.

I'd say get an 03' Explorer 4.6 NBX edition, you'd still have your ranger for off-roading. But you'd have the cool off-road looks of the NBX and maybe you could do a body lift and bigger tires along with the suspension lift comming out soon.

 

[spotdog14]

now do you feel about the explorer sport trac? its suppose to be the "4 door ranger" according to some dealerships around here. personally i hated it when it first came out, but it is really growing on me! the only reason i can see that he wouldnt get that is because it is not offered with a V-8....Most of the suspention and performance mod's for the ranger shoudl work on the trac right?

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by spotdog14
now do you feel about the explorer sport trac? its suppose to be the "4 door ranger" according to some dealerships around here. personally i hated it when it first came out, but it is really growing on me! the only reason i can see that he wouldnt get that is because it is not offered with a V-8....Most of the suspention and performance mod's for the ranger shoudl work on the trac right?

I would think so, I like my friends, but I'm more attracted to V8's They ride a little better than a 2nd gen Explorer b/c they use the two-stage leafs from the 01' and up Sports.

 

[spotdog14]

ahh i see, i did not know that. I do know one thing though, i have the radio bezl, speedo cluster, and cluster surround from an 02 explorer sport in my ranger, looks quite nice! i love that silvery finish... So you woudl probibly say go with the Explorer then? I kinda like the Explorer XLT Sport. How about you?

 

[SaleenEXP]

I guess if your gonna do some off-roading, then the Sport would be better.

Or would he want to find another 2nd gen with a 5.0 to have again.

I'm partial to the 02' and 03' 4dr Explorers/Mountaineers because they are a lot better in everyway, from quality to the 4.6 and 5-speed combo ect. than a 2nd gen or 1st gen and I love both of ours. The 4.6 is an excellent engine, with a ton of mods available. But I'm not really into offroading so........

 

[spotdog14]

Originally posted by SaleenEXP
I guess if your gonna do some off-roading, then the Sport would be better.

Or would he want to find another 2nd gen with a 5.0 to have again.

I'm partial to the 02' and 03' 4dr Explorers/Mountaineers because they are a lot better in everyway, from quality to the 4.6 and 5-speed combo ect. than a 2nd gen or 1st gen and I love both of ours. The 4.6 is an excellent engine, with a ton of mods available. But I'm not really into offroading so........

Yah i can understand. But i am still not sure if they have all the bugs worked out of the 4.6 yet. I will live and die by the 5.0, it is very reliable from the experiance i had with it. i am planning on when i go to college to put my truck in the shop and put a 5.0 in her. But we will go test drive tomarrow and see, ill let you guys know, thanks for your help SaleenEXP. oh yah, my dad has never bought a used car, me on the other had i have 2. lol, but i dont think he is going to start now...lol....