explorer drive trains
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 51
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From: East of St.Louis(IL)
explorer drive trains
looking at a newer explorer, 2011+ or an older 2008-2010 explorer the reason, the need of a daily driver and hunting vehicle as well. I use to use an older 2004 escape which was an awesome vehicle due to its light weight and 4x4 drive train. So my question newer AWD systems 2011+, are these drive trains as efficient, capable, as the true hi/lo 4x4 drive trains ford offered in the past? Logging roads, back trails, primitive roads while hunting. Any advice is appreciated, need an enclosed vehicle.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
Taken from Ford's website:
Available Intelligent 4WD continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering angle to determine the vehicle’s conditions and the driver’s intent. The system then determines the optimal amount of front and rear torque for the given conditions to not only reduce wheelslip but to prevent the slip from occurring in the first place, which helps keep the vehicle sure-footed on virtually any terrain.
They never show the Explorer going through anything more than a snow dusting or a mudpuddle so I'll "assume" that the vehicle is more comfortable on road then off road.
Available Intelligent 4WD continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering angle to determine the vehicle’s conditions and the driver’s intent. The system then determines the optimal amount of front and rear torque for the given conditions to not only reduce wheelslip but to prevent the slip from occurring in the first place, which helps keep the vehicle sure-footed on virtually any terrain.
They never show the Explorer going through anything more than a snow dusting or a mudpuddle so I'll "assume" that the vehicle is more comfortable on road then off road.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
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From: Shelbyville, Indiana
Taken from Ford's website:
Available Intelligent 4WD continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering angle to determine the vehicle’s conditions and the driver’s intent. The system then determines the optimal amount of front and rear torque for the given conditions to not only reduce wheelslip but to prevent the slip from occurring in the first place, which helps keep the vehicle sure-footed on virtually any terrain.
They never show the Explorer going through anything more than a snow dusting or a mudpuddle so I'll "assume" that the vehicle is more comfortable on road then off road.
Available Intelligent 4WD continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering angle to determine the vehicle’s conditions and the driver’s intent. The system then determines the optimal amount of front and rear torque for the given conditions to not only reduce wheelslip but to prevent the slip from occurring in the first place, which helps keep the vehicle sure-footed on virtually any terrain.
They never show the Explorer going through anything more than a snow dusting or a mudpuddle so I'll "assume" that the vehicle is more comfortable on road then off road.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 51
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From: East of St.Louis(IL)
Thanks for the reply. As stated my 04 Escape has been my hunting vehicle..light...4x4...very reliable. I do need a larger vehicle that's why the questions regarding explorer's drivetrain. Its not that I plan on mud running but some of the trails I drive can be fairly rough. That why info such as yours is very helpful. Thank you.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
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From: Shelbyville, Indiana
Thanks for the reply. As stated my 04 Escape has been my hunting vehicle..light...4x4...very reliable. I do need a larger vehicle that's why the questions regarding explorer's drivetrain. Its not that I plan on mud running but some of the trails I drive can be fairly rough. That why info such as yours is very helpful. Thank you.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,028
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From: Maine, Virginia
Well you would "assume" wrong. I just bought a 2016 and absolutely love the 4x4 system. The 6F55 intelligent 4WD is very effective. I drove it off road multiple times for deer season this year without any issues. I will admit that it doesn't have quite the ground clearance that my Monster excursion does, but it is plenty good enough for most anything I'll encounter. Our cabin is over a mile off the last maintained county road and I don't have any issues reaching it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 104
From: Staten Island, NY
Just don't try to go "off road" in an Explorer Sport. The plastic front air dam doesn't even clear parking lot tire stops and right behind the air dam is the air duct that supplies cooling air to the oil cooler. Oh, and that air dam will run you about 300 bucks at the dealership parts counter. I found out the hard way.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
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Agree... a cheap jeep wrangler would be MUCH better suited for primitive trails as you state...
I just saw one for $3700 right around the corner...
IMHO, you'd be tearing up the Ex in no time...
our Explorer hangs up on snails in the road
I just saw one for $3700 right around the corner...
IMHO, you'd be tearing up the Ex in no time...
our Explorer hangs up on snails in the road
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
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From: Shelbyville, Indiana
I'll have to disagree with your opinion, my parents and I have not had any issues with our Explorers getting to and from our cabin over a mile of "primitive" not state maintained roads.
Those have got to be some MASSIVE snails!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 2
From: Fort Wayne, IN
The front droop is easily solved by the Traxda leveling kit.
Traxda Kit #102030 - '11-'14 Ford Explorer 4x2/4x4 - Front Level Kit
The jeep suggestion is kind of silly, I can only think of driving 6 hours in a jeep to reach my vacation cabin because of one lousy last mile
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Traxda Kit #102030 - '11-'14 Ford Explorer 4x2/4x4 - Front Level Kit
The jeep suggestion is kind of silly, I can only think of driving 6 hours in a jeep to reach my vacation cabin because of one lousy last mile
.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 104
From: Staten Island, NY
Just to be clear - the front air dam on my 2014 Explorer Sport is 6 1/4 inches above the ground with the vehicle unloaded and no occupants. The typical precast concrete wheel stop is 6 1/2 inches high, some are higher and if installed near a concrete curb (like in a store parking lot adjacent to a sidewalk) is usually on an upward sloping section of asphalt.
In any event, pulling up until the front tires meet the wheel stop will usually be accompanied by an expensive noise.
In any event, pulling up until the front tires meet the wheel stop will usually be accompanied by an expensive noise.
New User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 9
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15' Rubi
15' Explorer Sport
Gone but not forgotten! My old 03' Jeep some idiot slammed into @ 45mph while I was stopped on I75/I85 and bent the frame. She was awesome for 11 years prior though!
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RalphR
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Nov 14, 2003 12:55 AM