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OK guys, I need some help. After a little bit of saving up, I'm ready to upgrade my truck. I was getting too big for the otherwise outstanding ranger, and am forced to sell to get something larger. (by the way, it is in the classifieds if you are interested). Anyway, I'm looking to either got a used Expedition, or Explorer Sport. Besides the fact of general transportation, I WILL be outfitting the truck for some 4x4 fun. Lift, Wheels/Tires, the obvious engine improvements Ect. So which is it? The economic and peppy Explorer sport? or the xxl behemoth Expo. Thanks for your help!!

 

I'm pretty sure this is the last or soon to be the last year for the Explorer Sport, also I dont think the body was up graded with the rest of the Explorer models (still on the 93 chassie) If that doesnt bother you, its a great truck

 

I've had two Explorers and I don't think they were any bigger than the Ranger. I've had my Expy for a couple years and would never go back to an Explorer...ever.

 

Expedition...tons of room.

 

I have both trucks, my gal drives the explorer and I drive the expedition - we are both 6' 2" (not a typo - she's a TALL drink of water ). I've got to say, the expedition is our favorite car, but the explorer is nice (just "smaller" and less functional - BUT cheaper on gas and price). Ya really can't go wrong with either, both are fantastic. For us, the expedition is just "more" - the explorer is almost like "the expedition light" .

 

Toyota Sequoia!



Go with the Expedition.
Alot more truck for your buck.

 

I vote for the Expy. I'm too big to fit in an Explorer (my knees are stuck under the dash!). I remember hearing somewhere that there is a 1-2 mpg difference between the Expy and Explorer. To me, the couple extra bucks is worth the comfort.

XXL

 

I'm not sure to the truth to this or not, But I HAVE read about it, and also experienced it in a 97 explorer.. It seemed that when in 4x4, it would still act as though in AWD.. Meaning it wouldnt give a 50/50 split front to rear.. a front wheel would slip then the rear, etc. Guys Help me out here// Not sure if this is a problem they once had and it has been corrected or not, but read it in the 4x4 of the year test a 5-6 years ago.. I'm not experienced with explorers, BUT if this is true, then Obviously the Expy would be a better ride off-road.


99 expy
4.6

 

I figured one of us Explorer guys has to chime in here and defend the truck. I personally think the Explorer is much nicer than the Expy for driving around town simply because it's a smaller vehicle. I can park it easier than my mom's Taurus for crying out loud. I just love this truck, and it is no slouch in performance either.

With 4.10 gears I run a consistant 8.0 0-60. I don't know if even a 5.4 Expy can run that stock. The Explorer also is built off a Ranger frame which IMO is one of the most reliable trucks ever built. I can give the names of dozens of people with Rangers in the 200K+ mileage range with absolutely no problems except plugs/wire changes.

I'm sure the Expy is a nice truck, and I did get a chance to ride in a 2003 Expy going out to Big Bend (They were rentals), and it was incredibly smoothe, and was quite a fast truck for being the 4.6 with 8 people and 200 lbs of gear but they turning radius is quite large because of the wheelbase being so long.

Either way, they are both great choices since they are both Ford trucks, but I'm just partial to my X and the peppiness of the SOHC motor. I also would be careful BECAUSE of the long wheelbase to not go rock crawling often with the Expy because of the risk of high-centering it. Trust me, you don't want to do this

 

The Control Trac 4X4 system on all V-6 Explorers (V-8 have AWD with no low range on it) has 3 modes : 4WD Auto, 4WD High, and 4WD LO.

4WD Auto IIRC pretty much makes the truck rear-wheel drive until the system detects a slip and then transfers power to the front wheels. 4WD Auto is ok to use in pavement since it allows binding of the axles.

4WD High locks the two axles together and gives a 50/50 torque split, but is not for use on pavement since it does not allow for binding around turns. It can still be used on pavement and in bad weather conditions, just don't go quickly around turns.

4WD LO acts like 4WD high except it adds a step-down ratio of something like 2.79:1 or so for REAL rock-climbing

So basically it does NOT act like an AWD system when in 4WD mode unless I am mistaken. I can't say I own a ContralTrac Explorer, but I think that is how it works. The V-8 DOES have an AWD system so maybe you got confused with that?

 

Traded my 97 Explorer for the 2001 Eddie Bauer EXPY 2 years ago and should have done it 5 years ago.

No comparison.

 

I just bought a used 2002 XLT last month. I was planning on getting an explorer with the 3rd row. The expedition was a great deal. So far I love the ride and the feel, and my kids love the 3rd row seeting. The gas mileage is starting to take it's toll. I'm only getting about 11mpg in traffic. I'm thinking if I'd get 15+ in the explorer I might cut my losses.

Can someone talk me out of this??

 

I have a 2000 Expedition XLT 4x4. At the time I chose the 4.6 engine for gas mileage considerations and didn't anticipate towing anything large. In retrospect, I would likely buy the 5.4 if done over. It is certainly sufficient in town and on the highway, but for hills and mountains (Rockies) it must downshift often. The main reason for buying an SUV is because my wife wanted one, and would NOT go for a minivan. So from there, we looked around. I insisted on space equivalent to a minivan (i.e., 3 children and gear for travel) and a 3-point restraint for each occupant. The Explorer, though nice, was out...along with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi for various reasons but mostly space. First time I got in the Expy, I liked it. Purchasing the 4x4 version was kind of an afterthought. As someone pointed out, it is big (though no more than an F150) and more difficult to maneuver than an Explorer (based on Ranger chasis). I believe it to be more stable with regard to roll over. I don't remember the standard options on the Explorer, but the Expy had 4 wheel disc anti-lock brakes. You need to decide what you will use it for. I do some 4-wheeling, but not much. So getting the 4x4 was really unnecessary for the most part. I wanted space and the wife wanted an SUV. We did not test GM products although I read about them, and I did not like the styling of the Dodge. The Japanese SUVs are very expensive, though some are very reliable; and I have owned many Toyotas. I don't know whether I'm making a long story short or a short story long, but I hope this helps. I think the suspension of the new models (both Explorer and Expedition) are far superior to the older models. The rear independent suspension (of the new models) lowers your CG and reduces unsprung weight which improves ride and handling in general.