what do you think of the 2002 explorer?

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by Rscotts1
I agree with you SaleenEXP on the 18's looking good on the new X. I have seen a few here running around with 18's and they really look sharp! I just don't get into that huge wheel thing (nothing against my fellow Explorer forum browsers...lol). There are very few SUV's with anything bigger than 22's here in Hawaii...just the occasional Escalade/Tahoe/Denali.

02's have a little bigger body and wheel-wells so 20's might not look to extreme, that 02' Mounty in Truckins SUV magazine looks really nice. But 18's are perfect for 02's and especially the last Ex's/Mounty's. That kid here with the Sport that has 20's looks to overkill, nice rims (KMC Stealths) but to big on an Explorer let alone a Sport. There was someone on Cardomain/Soundomain that had 22's on his Ex, and he said it constantly rub, there's really no room to work with 22's on an Ex, but what ever floats their boat. I'll stick with 18's, plus that extra two inches for 20's can seriously cost you $$ for the same rim in 18's.

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by SaleenEXP
Good thing is that he got about 3-4 inches of added lift for offroading

Uh huh, yeah, in an Escalade on 23s

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by diablo5969


Uh huh, yeah, in an Escalade on 23s

no, I didn't mean a lift for offroading, I meant his truck sits higher now after the rims were put on. Have you ever seen Escalade with the stock 17's, now you can see why it sits higher, hell the Rims he has now w/o the tires are just about as big as the stock ones with tires. I don't know if your being sarcastic, but if you think 23's don't fit an Escalade, how come he does?? again he still rubs a little on turns so they don't fit perfectley, I think his offset might be off a little.

EDIT - I think thats how you took it about the lift, again he has no lift, I just meant the truck sits higher now than it did stock, you know higher=offroading, thats what I meant, not that he had a lift, I've actually yet to see an Escalade with lift.

 

[leenjen]

the escalade comes with 265/70/17's stock. the tire diameter is 31.6"
you said he has 305/40/23's so that comes out to 32.6"
the tire diameter is 1" larger, which means it sits about 0.5" higher.

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by leenjen
the escalade comes with 265/70/17's stock. the tire diameter is 31.6"
you said he has 305/40/23's so that comes out to 32.6"
the tire diameter is 1" larger, which means it sits about 0.5" higher.

Are you sure, I mean I didn't know the exact number but I swear it looks higher than that, maybe it kinda makes it look like an illusion if you know what I mean, the rims are so big it just appears to sit a lot higher. It sits higher than the other 3 guys who have 20s, one of them is a 99' the other 2 are 02's but 2wd (5.3 engine). He has awd (obviously with the 6.0) would that make a difference, unless the others have a numerically lower tire, I'll check tomorrow when I go to the dorm later in the day. Either way those 23's are massive, I just couldn't believe they affected his mileage drastically and you can easily feel its slower.

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by SaleenEXP
I've actually yet to see an Escalade with lift.

I thought you meant he got a 3-4 inch lift, and then got the tires put on. My bad, misunderstanding.

I've never seen a lifted Escalade either, but they were writing about one in Four Wheeler once when the guy was venting about all the street SUVs out there

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by diablo5969


I thought you meant he got a 3-4 inch lift, and then got the tires put on. My bad, misunderstanding.

I've never seen a lifted Escalade either, but they were writing about one in Four Wheeler once when the guy was venting about all the street SUVs out there

no prob, I can see where it sounded like he had a lift, I should clarrified that before, so, my bad . If leejen is right, I swear those 23's are an optical illusion, it really looks like it sits higher. Oh well, I can say it really hurt his gas mileage, made it slower, and damn does it have a harsh ride now, the tires do have a stiff sidewall but it feels like theres no sidewall at all, all I know is I be glad I'm not him when he gets a flat . All I know is 18's are the biggest I'm going with the 02', the price difference between 18's and 20's is a lot, you wouldn't think those 2 extra inches make that big of a differance. They do have 24's now, and I'll smack him next year if he comes back with 24's and says the 23's were too small .

 

[zavetsky]

I had one as a rental for a day...good power (well, better than my 94) and comfortable on the road.....

I *like* the design/look of it frankly....


What I dont like is the rear suspension and those arms that seem like they would drag in mud/sand/snow, etc...

Yuck. I know the solid axles are rougher ride, but better clearance....

Originally posted by sideswipe
IMO, the design is just awful and unattractive. I cant really speak about the mechanical issues.

 

[sunbum]

I tested one for grins, though wouldn't buy one...
It's tough to find the package mine has on the new X without spending an arm and two legs. It was fairly quick for being a beast, but I doubt it's off-road capabilities. Quite frankly, it doesn't look like something anyone would take off-road, but something in which to hold a meeting.

Perhaps FORD needs something less beat than the Escape, and to branch out into a new line for some of us that are interested in "upgrading/updating", and keep developing their current line for the pretentious wannabe SUV owner and/or people looking for a 4WD stationwagon? Additionally, I don't like the backend, think the rims are weak as well as aspects of the interior. It was quieter, but mine would be without the KKM, aggressive treads, etc. heh

I considered, moreso because of the engine and frame upgrades, to potentially buy a newer one instead of upgrading mine but I think until they can do better overall, I'll stick to the frame I'm in. I've got 90K on mine and it's still running strong... looking forward to the 6-digit club by 04?

 

[unclemeat]

4Wheel and Offroad Febuary 03 issue has the 4x4 of the year comparison. The explorer ranks twelveth out of sixteen. That is pretty bad. I hope the new Ford boy wakes up and smells the gasoline.

 

[Digger196]

my dad has a 2002. i hate it! the locking is backwords, seats uncomforable, the windsheild needs to be bigger for us tall guys, and when ya unlock it on the outside it is backwords from my 95X. I think a left hander designed it!

the only nice thing is the suspenchen is alright (better than mine that is) and smooth ON THE ROAD ONLY.

 

[LowdPypes]

not sure they did the explorer justice but the redeisgned expedition I think looks alot better...

 

[RFR2212]

Well, I logged 250mi in my dads '02 limited 4.0 sohc this past weekend. I personally have no problem with the head room, or windshield view, and I'm 6ft3in. I like the low lifting hight when loading the cargo area through the window. Love the heaters in the seats.. I'd prefer the comfort of my 94 limiteds seats better. My milage woulda been much better if it weren't for driving into a 30mph head wind. The engine isn't that bad power wise (this comming from a person who normally drives a OHV w/ 4.10's and 33's). I'd probly prefer the V-8 as I lile the 5.0 in my moms '00 EB. I love the leg room! Rides great onroad, which was fords goal. I like the layout of the dash and everything around the driver. Good lighting for night driving. Stereo isn't all that bad. Would I buy one? Nah, I'd put the money towards a diesel truck, but hey, it's not mine, and I was told to drive it for the first week back this semester b/c the miles wouldn't go on my truck, and it's gonna be less in gas. I'm not complaining! Overall it's not a bad vehicle onroad.
Pete

 

[Big Green]

Personally I love the New Explorers. I just recently Bought an XLT 4.6. Its the best investment I've ever made. IMO most of you that are putting the 02's & 03's down havent driven one. I use to have a 92' EX and I loved that thing, but this new one blows it away!! The 4.6 is incredibly strong, not to mention it hauls ass for an explorer. I would put it up against any moderatly stock 5.0!! (I will stand by that) I have driven every explorer ever made along with a few Saleens. The new explorers are great better built than those previous. I work at a Ford Dealership so I see many explorers daily. Many of which rattle constantly are a very cheaply built. Ford took a step in the right direction. Not to offend any its just my opinon.

 

[zavetsky]

real world use??

Would REALLY like to hear someone who has used a new Explorer offroad.

One of the reasons I liked my 94 when I got it was because its a TRUCK.....solid rear suspension, truck front end.....

Like i said above, I really do like the look of the truck...my concern is in its abilities....I have been watching other SUVs..

SO far it seems like the Explorer is the only one that hangs THAT LOW in the rear with those independent suspension arms......Literally, there is only the heigth of the tire between them and the road (trail, mud, snow, sand......)

I have done a lot of sand driving and those things LOOK like they would act like snow plows in the sand....not a good thing...

And the 0% interest is great too....but I am just not sold on the capabilities yet.

If I want to spend that kind of money on a car that cant go offroad, I'd buy something else....

ANyone out there do any serious offroading in an '02 or '03??

 

[pmpinurgrl]

i dont know if this has been posted but some1 said that they hope they keep the sport and the sport trac on a seperate platform.....well i got bad news for some of you...my uncle works in the louisville plant where they make the x's and 03 is the last year for the sport. i was very upset about this but i hope they do somthing to change that and keep the sports alive.

 

[leenjen]

i heard that too
that's terrible news

 

[emon]

'02 is waaaaay better...

There's no one on this site who will not trade their Xplorer with the 2002 new design. No one!

People say they do not like the '02 Xplorer because they do not want to feel like they're stuck with their current ride.

I have a '97 Xplorer that I bought new but I would trade it in a sec.

Though, the only thing that I like with my '97 than the '02 is that my '97 is ALL PAID FOR!

Please don't hate me. You know I'm right.

 

[Robb]

Not by a long shot!!!! I would never trade my 95 EB for a IFS, IRS Explorer! Never!! To do what I am doing to a 02 would involve at least twice the work! Why would I ever want that?

 

[Doug]

Re: '02 is waaaaay better...

Originally posted by emon
There's no one on this site who will not trade their Xplorer with the 2002 new design. No one!

People say they do not like the '02 Xplorer because they do not want to feel like they're stuck with their current ride.

I have a '97 Xplorer that I bought new but I would trade it in a sec.

Though, the only thing that I like with my '97 than the '02 is that my '97 is ALL PAID FOR!

Please don't hate me. You know I'm right.

Um yeah, i dont want a 2002 explorer. i dont like them theyre over engineered cars for people with big wallets and want to give the appearance of "toughness" I stilll cant figure out how vehicle manufacturers keep claiming thier new trucks are more "truck like" every year... to me they look more and more carlike..