Just traded my '96 Explorer on a 2004. Can't seem to get comfortable in the darned thing. Seat seems too high. In it's lowest position I seem to be looking through the top of the winshield and I'm just 5'11". Steering wheel seems too far away. To get close enough to hold it comfortably, my knees are near the dashboard. Anyone else have this problem? Know any way to get the seat lower? Thanks for any help.

 

Dear John
My wife has a 2003 Limited with pedal, seat and steering wheel movement but I don’t think it is as comfortable as my 94 Limited that I drive every day which has 210,000 miles on it!!!!
Why get rid of a good thing!!
Brian

 

All I can say is it;s not your imagination. I traded a 2000 XLT for a 2003 XLT. I love the improved ride, the SOHC (Had the OHV on the 2000.) and just about all the improvement the 2003 can offer.

However, I am 6 foot and very much notice exactely what you posted. If I try and lower the drivers seat any move, it simply goes down more in front and I don't want to be sliding toward the windshield.

The lowest postion that works is OK, but I think they missed by about an inch of height. I have pretty long arms so in just about any car I feel ok with the steering wheel and controls. The explorer is no exception, just wish I could mess the the seat height a little more.

I don't have any other otpions, adjustable pedals or other stuff.

Would be curious if anyone is aware of a Ford fix official or otherwise?

Thanks

Mike

 

I found just the opposite. I traded a '98 Explorer sport for an '03 Explorer XLT. Wife's vehicle) What an improvement in ride and handling. Of course it is not as comfortable on the road as my '90 extended cab F350 dually.
ray

 

And another thing! While I'm in a complaining mood, the leather seats are hard and the surface feels like a football. The seats in my '96 were like Recaros with sliding thigh supports as well as lumbar and side bolsters (inflatable). I had cloth seats but the leather ones were soft and supple unlike the new ones. My foot has slipped off the gas pedal 3 times. On closer inspection, it's short and unlike the rubber brake pedal, it's a slippery plastic. The cupholders are an improvement as they are farther apart but I miss the cubbyholes that were in my '96 console. I'm having to buy an anti-theft system through the parts department. One came on my '96 in the electronics package but isn't even an option on the 2004 XLT. IMHO, cargo cover should come standard on a $34,000 car. I'm having to buy one through parts and for more than the option price for some reason. The front floor mats are skimpy and half the size of the ones on my '96. Not sure if this means the floor is smaller?? When I go to wash it, I can tell it's a lot bigger on the outside than the '96 but it doesn't seem any bigger on the inside. The 4.6 V-8 feels faster around town than the 5.0 V-8 but you can tell the speed is coming from more shifting to keep the revs up. The torgue is missing that the 5.0 had. Did I miss anything? Do I like the car? Yes, but not everything they changed is an improvement. Don't know how long it's going to take me to get used to the seats. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

All Explorers (I think) come with an anti theft system as well as the key chip thing, why would you need an aftermarket system?

Initially I thought the seats in our 03 were uncomfortable but I have gotten used to them and have no complaints.

 

same thing here with the seats. I notice I rest my elbows on the door handle or center counsol while driving. What also helps me is raising the front of the seat all the way up with the back of the seat all the way down. I am 5'10 also and this way gives me some support under my knees to help hold my legs up.

 

To bcjim: The devil is in the details as they say. The anti-theft system in the current Explorer keeps someone from starting your car unless they have a key that has been especially programmed. You can't go to the hardware store and get a duplicate key and have it work, but that's all it does. On my '96, if you hit the lock button on the door or on the keyfob and then reached through an open or smashed out window and opened the door, the horn will blow continuously. Not so on the new one because I just tried it. So what we have now is an "anti-theft" system but not a "security system" which is what we had before. Ah, that small print. Tomorrow I pick up the 'dealer installed" security system from the parts department.

 

Jeez really, I'll verify that when the wife gets home, my 98 Ranger has a legitimate factory alalrm, I assumed the 03 X was the same...

 

Numerous times, I've sat in newer (02 and up) Explorers and one thing I've noticed is that the steering wheel is at a different angle than in my 98. Even when I adjust it, it's not quite in the position that I like.

Overall, I really like the new Explorers, but I have to agree that they are not 100% improved over the previous two generations. No doubt, some is due to cost cutting. For instance, no more auxilary sunshades (love that feature) or no more rear audio controls. Things they should add/do: second row reclining seats like in the Expy, better trim around the doors on the inside so all that sheet metal isn't showing, re-add the underhood light and locking glove box (like my 92 had; my 98 also doesn't have either, though).

lol y'all got me griping too and I don't even own one

Seriously, I'm a die-hard Ford man and overall I do like the new Explorer. This is just some constructive criticism for Ford in hopes some of this stuff could be added/done in future model years. My 98 has a lot of life left so it will be atleast a couple years before I buy my next Ford.

 

LoL if they did all that we would have the perfect SUV. It's bad enough the explorer is on top of its class as it is........... Could u imagine if our gripes where answered........ I dont care too much for the under hood light but a locking glove box is good. I am one that keeps the glove box locked. You never know when u need to leave some one in the truck while you pay the gas attendant.