Not on a 1-ton truck...

Some factual proof of this claim please.

Media? The onlly mention of the media was for the commercial. You completely ignored the fact that the IRS Explorer has a higher towing capacity.

 

My wife owns an 04 Trailblazer 4x4 4.2 L and I just ran an 05 Explorer that was a V8 and all he saw was TRAILBLAZER taillights. Maybe he missed a gear. That explorer pulled me out of the hole @ 3000 I went by him like a bullet. I HATE TO SAY IT BUT THE TRAILBLAZER IS SOMETHING EXPLORERS SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH.

 

As long as that trailblazer doesnt break down your alright. Explorer is a way more relaible vehicle over the long haul then a trailblazer. Check out a 06 Explorers interior. It will blow away any trailblazer out there. Fast trailblazers dont impress me. Relaibility over the long haul does.

 

had an 04 trailblazer (wife did) until son totaled it. It was top end extnded model except for the motor- it had the 6. Awesome rig....but should have gotten the 5.3 which is the best production motor made...ever. (it pains me to say that but got 117K on mine and it's true imo).

The explorer has always been a flagship of why ford went to the dogs- just like the 'throw away' taurus. total chit vehicles. I stopped waiting for ford to return and went back to the '77 f150 and will get an old cougar to fix up...it will be good to drive ford again even though they've still got their head implanted.

 

I don't understand how the trailblazer's pep has anything to do with the Explorer's quality, longevity, or power output.

 

Yeah, for years, all I ever saw was lazy. rotted out, broke down mid 90's explorers come into the shop. It would be a suprise when the 4x4 still worked on one.

Did they change there tune after the first gen early 90's explorers?

BTW I am talking about the 1990-1994? era explorer.

 

I have a 99 xls and it is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have only had to replace the fuel pump,and a set of shock absorbers. Other than that no repairs at all, and it still rides and drives like it did when it was new at 129,000 miles. It is also still one of the best looking vehicles on the road. Not exactly a piece of crap.

 

yeah so I guess the 95+ ones were good, but man the ealier ones (square ones) really weren't that good at all.

 

EXCUSE ME! I owned a 1992 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer fully loaded including factory sunroof. 60,000 miles Tranny & transfer case went south $3600.00 it cost to fix, in (1994) then the great 4.0 L cost another $1000 lifters. This was a dealer serviced truck. before that 90 Ranger 2.9L 100,000 lifters started making noise then the bottom end let go. I owned both of these from the day they were new and both were maintained by my Ford Dealer. So don't tell me about how well they last. My wife's Trailblazer has 50,000 miles pulls a 3500# trailer and gets alot of off-road use and we have had no trouble. Not to mention I had a 1979 Chevy CK25 4x4 350 4SP 3:73 gears and it went 370,000 miles without any major engine work except a timing chain or any other major work. After that I lost track of it. I wonder if my 86 F250 4x4 460 will match that it has 177,000 miles.

 

ok so there may be few of the later gen explorers that last a while..they still carry one of the worst ratings you can get. Everyone seems to make crap that will sing once in a while...still crap overall. I know gm can be as bad with some models but if you know what your doing you can buy a gm product that has a proven drive train and that is something ford has only accomplished pre 80's (except some windsor models). They kept auto trans on the taurus that they knew was bad for, what, a decade? turned my kids with 60k on it into salvage.

but...then I think about my 60's cougars and stangs and tbirds and....my 77 150 in which I'll do my part to vindicate ford's ruining the 400...and I turn a bit blue again.

 

I don't own an Explorer, but I know a few people that do. They haven't had any of those issues. I live in a pretty severe climate during the winter as well. The only thing any Explorer owner has complained of to me was the fuel mileage. Really ain't the best on the older ones. I'm confused about the bolded line in your quote. What are you saying there...no major engine work, except major engine work? I don't get it.

 

No, in an older Explorer with an OHC 4.0l you oull into your gas station, change the timing chain tensioners and check the fuel level

 

I have never considered a timing chain as major engine work. If that is the case then my 86 F250 4x4 has cost me more money per mile than the Chevy. I have had to put a Tranny, timing chain, complete front end, replace broken exhaust bolts, 3 distributors, 2 carbs, all seals in rear end, output shaft seals in transfer case, and I can go on, with 177,000 miles, None of this was done on the CHEVY. I hope this answers your question.

 

nick? when was the last time a one ton truck was loaded on the front any heavier then a 1500? besides the diesel, which a IFS truck is set up to handle, and a snow plow, what additional weight is put on a one ton duallie vs. a 1500.

both a 1500, 2500, 2500hd and a 3500 can have a snow plow put on them, and both have enough strength to carry the frontend. so i really don't understand.

the only difference between a 2500 and a 2500hd is the back portion of the frame, and the only difference between a 2500hd and a 3500 is leaf springs. so their is no weight difference on a one ton that is any different than a 2500, and their is very little difference between a 1500 front end and a 3500.

the H1 hummer is a perfect example of the advantages of all wheel IS.

that was the whole point in my post, the explorer has IRS and the trailblazer has SRA. since ford did it, it's okay, but if gm would have had IRS and the higher rating, then all of you guys would have said what a POS IRS is.

the fact is IS is far superior to SRA in almost everything. ford needs to borrow a lot more engineers to design thier vehicles, IMO.

 

I'm glad you've had good luck with your GM(s). What I don't understand, is why you would buy an '86 F-250, if you love GM(s) so much...just doesn't make any sense. You come on here, praising your GM vehicles, and bash your Ford. I don't know...I was under the impression that this was a Ford truck enthusiast site.

Alright, I ask you this. Why would a 1-ton truck require a stronger axle than a 1500, or F-150? Do you actually think there isn't a stronger presence in forces on the front end when it's loaded down fully? A SD has a D60 up front, and the half-ton doesn't. It's because the half-ton doesn't need it.

This is right. When done properly. The only reason is ground clearance, and the Hummer has an extremly strong suspension set up.

The trailblazer does have IRS on some models doesn't it? I'm not advocating IRS, not at all. You came in swinging, trying to catch us or something. What's funny though, is you only see to like IS because GM uses it so much...you secretly love solid axles.

I think the only reason we see IRS or IFS is ride comfort. It takes a hell of a lot more to make that set up, and there are way more parts. Why not keep it simple? Look at the Z06 Vette...maybe not as simple, but has a live axle with leaf spring suspension. The Vette beats the hell out of supercars for 5 times the price. I find the ride on the SD's firm, yet not rough. Way better than a GM truck, and much stronger to boot.
Ford employed someone that used to work for BMW...how is that borrowing?