OK, So What Do You DISLIKE About The 5th Gen?

[OKCXLT]

There are several threads that mention the narrow middle seat and that it is almost impossible to have 3 adults sit on the bench seat. The Explorer is not the only vehicle to suffer from this design. The 2009 Highlander I had has the same issue only it was even narrower. The Explorer is only about 3.5" wider than that Highlander. You mentioned in point #4 that you would have preferred that the passenger side middle row seat be 'easily' removed to allow access to the 3rd row. Upon reading that again, I must admit I misread that statement. I initially thought you were referring to the middle seat being attached to the passenger side. That is why I commented on the buckets. The same setup is still in the 2016 model.

Peter

Looks like you came full circle to agree with me!

 

[peterk9]

I never actually disagreed that the 2nd row is not suitable for 3 adults. I've mentioned this before in earlier threads and even posted a picture showing how narrow the center 'seat' is.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3244684&postcount=31

Peter

 

[markymark0509]

I JUST bought the 15 Sport with the projector beam halogens. TERRIBLE headlights. I have candles that burn brighter. I will throw in Sylvania ZXE bulbs. Had them in my previous vehicle. Night and day difference. Any other options?

 

[LukerDooker]

I JUST bought the 15 Sport with the projector beam halogens. TERRIBLE headlights. I have candles that burn brighter. I will throw in Sylvania ZXE bulbs. Had them in my previous vehicle. Night and day difference. Any other options?

I put in the same bulbs, almost no difference in rain/storm or being washed out due to oncoming traffic and streetlights. Better, but not as much as the cost of the bulbs.
Projector is to blame, not these bulbs.
Also check manual on aiming, from the pics you will know right away. From 25 ft away from a garage door or wall, the cutoff should match diagram in the manual.

 

[markymark0509]

I put in the same bulbs, almost no difference in rain/storm or being washed out due to oncoming traffic and streetlights. Better, but not as much as the cost of the bulbs.
Projector is to blame, not these bulbs.
Also check manual on aiming, from the pics you will know right away. From 25 ft away from a garage door or wall, the cutoff should match diagram in the manual.

Thanks. I'll verify the aiming. What size ZXE's did you use? 9005- Headlight and H11-Fogs?

 

[LukerDooker]

Thanks. I'll verify the aiming. What size ZXE's did you use? 9005- Headlight and H11-Fogs?

Yes 9005 headlights,
the fogs are H11, but im getting some LED replacement H11 bulbs from here:

http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/led-bulbs-1/listed-by-vehicle/ford/explorer.html

 

[markymark0509]

Yes 9005 headlights,
the fogs are H11, but im getting some LED replacement H11 bulbs from here:

http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/led-bulbs-1/listed-by-vehicle/ford/explorer.html

Very nice! Please post how you like them.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

Yes 9005 headlights,
the fogs are H11, but im getting some LED replacement H11 bulbs from here:

http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/led-bulbs-1/listed-by-vehicle/ford/explorer.html

Are those LED Fogs going to be bright enough? I think I read somewhere that the LED replacement bulbs weren't even as bright as the stock fog lights.

Maybe I mis-read the post but I'd really like to know since I too am interested in replacing the fog lights. I was thinking about going with some Yellow Halogen PIAA's but I am open to the idea of LED's. I have also heard LED Fog lights don't get hot enough to melt any snow that builds up on them.

Does anyone have any pictures of their Explorer with LED Fog's?

 

[peterk9]

Please take any further discussion on fog lights to the thread;

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387211&highlight=LED+fogs

This thread is about 'Dislikes' and is starting to drift off topic. Thanks guys.

Peter

 

[ObsceneJesster]

I've only had my '15 Explorer for 2 months but the only thing I can honestly say I dislike about the 5th Gen Explorer is the size of the gas tank. Even though I don't put a lot of miles on my vehicles (8,000 miles per year) I can already notice that the tank is too small for a vehicle this size. There is no reason why my 2012 Legacy 3.5R should have a larger capacity tank but it does. Granted, the tank size doesn't hurt me as much as others who may put more miles on their vehicles but it's still a poor design choice. I can't imagine another 4-5 gallons in capacity would add that much weight to the vehicle.


For those complaining about sitting to low in the seat, why wouldn't you just raise the seat via the seat controls?

For those complaining about ground clearance, it is only the rubbery plastic air dam that sits low. It easily bends so it should have no problem bending for snow, sand or anything else. If it bothers you that much then you can either trim the sides to make it even all the way across or you can just remove the whole thing. Others who have removed it have not reported a noticeable decrease in mpg rating. Besides the front air dam, the rest of the vehicle's ground clearance is normal. Unless you plan on taking this thing rock crawling then you should have no problems. My Subaru Legacy has already proved to me that clearance doesn't really matter that much in the snow. A good AWD system and decent tires is really all you need. I drove the Legacy 25 miles through 18 inches of snow in near blizzard conditions without getting stuck one bit.

 

[Halwg]

My dislikes remain the same after 7 months...
Headlights
Small fuel tank
Low hanging air dam.

I did something about the air dam, and it doesn't scrape on a horse turd now:

 

[tmg19103]

My dislikes remain the same after 7 months...
Headlights
Small fuel tank
Low hanging air dam.

I did something about the air dam, and it doesn't scrape on a horse turd now:

Air dam looks good (IMO), but is awfully low.

If you look at the Ford promo videos on YouTube for offroad driving when the 2011 Ex came out, you will see they did not have the front air dam on those vehicles they were using for offroad marketing purposes.

I've scraped it in regular driving conditions on steep driveways and the like. If it were my full-time beach buggy, I'd take it off like I did with my Escape - which is my full-time beach buggy.

I actually don't mind the fuel tank, but that's by comparison. I can drive further than my previous GMC Jimmy I had for 16 years, so for me it is an improvement.

I see the headlights as average. Not great, but not terrible. Headlight illumination is not a Ford strength across the board.

 

[ocracokeBound]

I've scraped it in regular driving conditions on steep driveways and the like. If it were my full-time beach buggy, I'd take it off like I did with my Escape - which is my full-time beach buggy.
.

It can be great beach buggy, the air dam bends

 

[bruinsfan]

My only complaint is the left foot rest on the drivers side.... could use more room. Perhaps I'm just not used to it; time will tell. Other than that, I love the 2015 XLT w/Appearance Package. This was the best option offered in the 2015. It's like a Sport, but not the Sport price.

 

[markymark0509]

It can be great beach buggy, the air dam bends

[/QUOTE

Nice Setup!

 

[tmg19103]

It can be great beach buggy, the air dam bends

Certainly can drive fine on the beach - especially tame ones like in your pic.

There is some real soft and mucky stuff on Nantucket I wouldn't take it. That's for my Escape with 16's, high tire walls and the plastic air dam taken off.

 

[alexk]

My only complaint is the left foot rest on the drivers side.... could use more room. Perhaps I'm just not used to it; time will tell. Other than that, I love the 2015 XLT w/Appearance Package. This was the best option offered in the 2015. It's like a Sport, but not the Sport price.

They changed it for 2015, I like my 2013 design way better you can actually fit your foot on it.

 

[ocracokeBound]

Certainly can drive fine on the beach - especially tame ones like in your pic.

There is some real soft and mucky stuff on Nantucket I wouldn't take it. That's for my Escape with 16's, high tire walls and the plastic air dam taken off.

Sorry for going off topic. Actually that is Portsmouth Island NC. If you get stuck then the tow truck is going to have to take a ferry from the mainland and pull you out for way too much money. The Ex did fine at the southern point by Drum Inlet where things are pretty squirrely. If you like Nantucket give PI at try some time http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/lodging.htm it is awesome no roads, 4wd only.

 

[tmg19103]

Sorry for going off topic. Actually that is Portsmouth Island NC. If you get stuck then the tow truck is going to have to take a ferry from the mainland and pull you out for way too much money. The Ex did fine at the southern point by Drum Inlet where things are pretty squirrely. If you like Nantucket give PI at try some time http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/lodging.htm it is awesome no roads, 4wd only.

Hope you keep a full sized spare in the back, then. That's what I do with my Escape. A flat tire and you are toast.

I hear it is real nice down there. I have hit OBX, but not that far down. Have a house on Nantucket, so that is where I go to fish and relax.

 

[orionrain]

Yeah, I'd love the ability to select "tilt down" on one or both mirrors when backing. So helpful avoiding curb rash. Had that feature on a Caddy STS. Really helpful.