Questions before buying a ST

[tj.rickert]

So, Im seriously thinking about buying a Sport Trac (an upgrade from by '96 explorer), probably a 2003 with about 80 - 90,000 miles on it. Are there any bad defects for that year, give or take a year? The biggest question I have is that I wanna make sure it can pull a 19ft boat no problem before I buy one. Thx.

 

[ncranchero]

The '03-up has rear disc brakes, the 01-02 drums. The '03-up has less timing chain issues also.

 

[Pickupman_69]

I love my 03,it has 200,000 km on it only major thing ive had to fix was putting a used trans in it. but I dont really play nice.

ive also had my brake fluid and coolant show up empty back in november,however I topped them up and they havent gone down at all since. now I refer to it as the mystery machine

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I've owned my '03 ST XLT 4wd for almost six years now and I don't think I've ever had a more reliable vehicle and I've owned alot of different makes/ models over the years. It's the most versatile vehicle I've owned as well.

 

[tj.rickert]

thx for the info guys, between this forum and some other websites i think ive answered just about all my questions. I still have one though. What is about the average mpg for a ST, Ive tried looking it up and found that its about 18 -20 on the highway is that about right?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Really depends on driving style, mods to the vehicle, etc.. 18-24 is about what right from all the members I've talked to, some have gotten more.

 

[dan_ill]

i have a lead foot so i get 15 but when i'm not listening to pantera i get about 17.5. as for towing it depends on the weight of the bad boy.

 

[tj.rickert]

thx for all the info guys, im still looking, but now i think i want an '05. But i came up with another question...sorry. Which models have the rear window that open, i cant seem to figure out which ones do and dont. Or is that just a factory acc. that can come with any different st?

 

[ncranchero]

All Gen 1 ('01-'05) Sport Tracs have the opening rear window.

 

[JohnnyO]

IIRC, some very early 01's did not have an opening rear window, same with early build 07's in the new body style. All 03-05 models will have an opening rear window.

 

[ncranchero]

I've "heard" a couple of the early '07 owners say they had no power back glass but never heard it from an '01 owner that they didn't. Soooooo, who knows.

 

[toad]

I can say for sure that early 07.s dont have it as I test drove a couple without the rear window before I bought mine.

Never heard of early 01,s though. My last ST was a 01 Job1, with a build date of Feb. 2000, so I figure thats pretty early and it had the roll down rear window.

 

[ncranchero]

Wouldn't hurt my feelings at all not to have one, no more than I use it. I removed the sliders from every Ranger and F150 I've had and installed solid glasses. No need for a opening rear window when you have A/C, IMO.

 

[dgonz]

Wouldn't hurt my feelings at all not to have one, no more than I use it. I removed the sliders from every Ranger and F150 I've had and installed solid glasses. No need for a opening rear window when you have A/C, IMO.

it's the perfect size opening to reach back into the ice chest full of beer though =)

 

[dan_ill]

to climb thru! or if you barrel into a lake and the outside pressure is keeping your doors closed so you can't open them so you go out the back, for your pets to look out of, long timber, throw trash into your bed, throw that open container in the bed when you make the turn down the street and the cop loses sight of you for a second and finally cross ventilation.

 

[600remguy]

I've "heard" a couple of the early '07 owners say they had no power back glass but never heard it from an '01 owner that they didn't. Soooooo, who knows.

I've seen 2nd Gen STs with no power rear window here in Ontario, Canada, but not positive of the year.

 

[gtyates]

I, too, upgraded to an '05 ST from a '96 Expl. No regrets!! On gas mileage, I am getting 16 in rush hour driving and 20 or so on the road. Of course towing you will get less. Extremelly versatile vehicles!! I like my ST as well as my '04 Explorer. And the electric rear window is a great feature. I use mine in the summer to help vent out the hot/humid air as the A/C is attemtping to cool it down. As soon as the interior begins to cool any at all I shut the rear window and switch the a/c to max. Shame Ford dropped this vehicle from its lineup!!

 

[tj.rickert]

really enjoying the forum here guys. Ive come to figure out that the STs have 3.73 or 4.10 gears but I know that some f-150s come with 3.55s. Now, I assume that ford put lower gears in the STs to compicate for the V6 but has anybody tried to put 3.55 gears in a ST or would it be a waste of time? I would geuss that if that was done you would need a programmer and might loose a little towing power but im just curious because I drive alot of long distance.

 

[JohnnyO]

Now, I assume that ford put lower gears in the STs to compicate for the V6 but has anybody tried to put 3.55 gears in a ST or would it be a waste of time? I would geuss that if that was done you would need a programmer and might loose a little towing power but im just curious because I drive alot of long distance.

My old '05 Trac came with 3.73 gears, I added a TT/shackle lift and 32" tires and it was a dog. Gas mileage became worse actually. Besides which, if you have a 4x4 and need to change two gearsets, then you're looking at about $1000 installed. You can buy a lot of gas with $1000. New OHC engines need to turn some rpm to be at their most efficient.