Sport trac advice? Looking to replace Ranger with sp trac

[Bored_2wd]

Long story short, 2nd gear syncro died Friday on my 13 year old truck that I've had since new. With 2 kids now, I just need more space and can't justify more money/time put into my truck. I'm considering right now a new-er truck, a sport trac or similar. Still want to haul stuff like dirt, gravel, when needed, but HAVE to have 4 doors for the kids carseats and my wife. For the rangers and older explorers the weaknesses were the trans and auto hubs. Strengths were the rear axle (8.8 at least) and the transfercase rarely caused problems.
What trans is in the sport tracs? Are they stronger now? I don't want the same weak problems, but I really like the size and abilities of the sport trac. What things are good, what things are bad on it?
Thanks everyone!
--Bob

 

[410Fortune]

Trans is always the weak link on these ranger based trucks. But the ST has most of the bugs worked out with its 5 speed auto and SOHC 4.0L.
They are good, reliable, strong trucks.
The front no longer uses hubs.

Make sure you shop around, here in CO the price for these trucks is all over the map! Some people think they are gold some people have them on their lots for a year and want them gone...

 

[spindlecone]

Now is a good time to buy a trac, if thats what you want, 03/05 have most of the bugs worked out.
The 07s are out now, basically the same as the 03/05, in the V6 configuration.
Nobody has seen the V8 model yet.
Has drivin down the resale prices of the older tracs, bigtime.
When the V8s come out, you have a new engine (3 valve V8), and an unproven, untested CVT 6 speed tranny.
With all the problems ford has had with the 5R55E in the past 5 yrs.
I would not touch this new rendition with a stick, JMO

 

[jah81592]

A Sport Trac would be a great investment.

 

[JohnnyO]

I did the same, traded my Ranger on a Sport Trac. The seats are A LOT more comfortable than the seats in Rangers. The bed is short but with the extender is about the same length as a Ranger bed. Also the Sport Trac bed is plastic and has a power plug in it. I added TT/shackles, 265/75-16 A/T's, and the Ford Accessories fuel tank skidplate and it off-roads very well. Tracs come with a t-case skidplate but none on the fuel tank. The main complaint people have is that the stock shocks are way too soft even for the street so if you get one either new or used, new shocks should be the first thing you do. Pro Comp 9000, Monroe Sensa Tracs or Reflexes are all fine. Anything is better than the stockers. I have an '05 and replaced the shocks already. Hitting a ripple on an Interstate at 75 mph was all it took. Scared the bleep out of me.
Love my Trac though. More info is at www.mysporttrac.com.

 

[02explorer04]

trade the ranger, you want regret it. I love my 04 ST 4X4. I had a 95 ranger that we traded in on it. The ST is the perfect truck if you dont do alot of hauling.