Seating/capacity question on 06 and newer Explorers

[absentx]

I have a couple quick questions regarding the current generation explorers.

1. Could anyone tell me the length from the back of the front seats to the tailgate with the seats folded down? I might have something that is either 72 or 77 inches long and I need to know if it will fit. Basically looking for length of the cargo space with the seats down.

2. I looked at an 06 and the second row seats did not fold completely flat. Do they fold completly flat in an 07 or an 08?

Assume all questions are for a model without third row seating.

Thanks

 

[Chris K.]

My 08 Mountaineer is about 88" from the back of the front seat to the rear of the tailgate, with the front seat all the way forward. With the front seat all the way back, it's about 77". I estimate the seats fold down within 5 degrees of horizontal.

I took a tape measure to just about every auto show around Dallas over the last couple of years and found the Explorer/Mountaineer to have the largest, most flexible cargo capacity in its class. The only thing better was the Ford Freestyle/Taurus X, which had a little more cargo length/capacity and completely flat folding seats. But they don't have the same ground clearance.

BTW, the second row seats on the 3-row Explorers/Mountaineers actually fold flatter than the 2-row versions, but you have to use the "cargo position". And then there's those annoying holes or voids around the folded seats. The third row seats fold completely flat.

In normal 2-row only mid-size SUVs, the Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy does fold a little flatter, within 3 degrees of horizontal, I estimate. But their cargo capacity was a little less than the X'es, coupled with the fact that the Fords/Mercuries are better and safer vehicles, IMHO, that eliminated them from the running.

Chris