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Ford Explorer Basic Owner's Guide

History of the Ford Explorer

Introduced in 1990 as a 1991 model, the Ford Explorer immediately shot to the top of the SUV sales charts. The Explorer replaced the Bronco II which only came as a two-door model. The Explorer, like the Bronco II, used the platform from the Ranger pickup and as well as the same dashboard. This is where there similarities pretty much ended. The Explorer came in the hot selling 4-door and also a 2-door model. For the 4-door, there was the base XL, mid-level XLT, and top of the line Eddie Bauer. On the 2-door, there were also three trim level except the Sport model was the mid-level instead of the XLT. All models offered both 4x2 and 4x4 versions. A first in its class (though the Bronco II offered it starting in the late 80's) was the Touch-Drive electronic shift transfer case. With this system, there were two buttons on the dashboard for the 4x4. The top button switched to 4x4 High at a touch of the button at any speed (other SUVs only had floor shifters at this point in time, some not even "shift on the fly"). The bottom button (after the top one had been pressed and you shift into Neutral) switched to 4x4 Low for off-roading. This was a great system that took years for the competition to duplicate and still feels modern when used today. Rear-wheel ABS was standard on all models.

All Explorer came with a capable and long lasting, though usually underrated, 4.0 Liter V6 rated @ 155 horsepower. It was mated to a standard 5-speed manual or an optional (and more common) 4-speed automatic transmission. This engine wasn't the most powerful or refined, but it got the job done and proved to be a reliable powerplant.

Size was also one of the Explorer's many assets. It offered class leading interior room (still among the best) particularly with the cargo capacity rated at 81.6" for the 4-door with the rear seats folded. This was achieved in part by brilliantly mounting the spare-tire underneath the vehicle as done on trucks. This kept it from stealing cargo space and also from being mounted on the lift gate where it could obstruct your vision. The Explorer was also unique in that it offered an optional front 60/40 bench seat for 6 passenger capacity.

Luxury was also a big part of the Explorer's vocabulary. It offered featured like leather seats, dual 6-way powered sport bucket seats with lumbar supports, a premium JBL audio system that could really crank out the sound ( it included 2-way speakers in each door plus a subwoofer in the cargo area) and a flip-open moonroof in addition to the power windows, locks and mirrors which were standard on upper models.

This is a picture of the first Explorer to roll off the assembly line.

Being that Ford has owned part of Mazda since 1979, they have offered clones of a vehicle from the other company. Such was the case with the Explorer. From 1991-1994, Mazda offered the Navajo which was really just a two-door Explorer. Ironically, it was the Navajo, not the Explorer that won Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award in 1991.

The Explorer basically stayed the same for the next few years with the following exceptions:

-The 1992 Eddie Bauer models had mocha inserts on the wheels
-In 1993, 4-wheel ABS became standard on all models as well as a Limited model being introduced

In 1995, the Explorer underwent a substantial revision. The outside was freshened and the interior was all-new, featuring standard dual airbags. Also, numerous luxury features were now available such as a message center, rear seat climate and audio controls, 6-disc CD changer and power moonroof. A new 4WD system was introduced as well. It was called Control-Trac 4WD and featured three separate modes (2WD, 4X4 Auto, and 4X4 Low) which could be switched between by a rotary switch on the dash.

A question that still nags me today is why Motor Trend named the Chevy Blazer Truck of the Year for 1995 when the Explorer had a more spacious interior, was much better in terms of quality and far outsold it.

The following updates took place for the 2nd generation Explorer:

-In late 1995, the old 5.0 Liter V8 from the Mustangs was offered, first only in 2WD form, but then also with AWD
-In 1997, a new SOHC 4.0 Liter V6 was also added to the engine roster as well as 5-speed automatics being available on both V6 engines; a Mercury clone of the Explorer (the Mountaineer) begins production
-In 1998, the rear end was redesigned for a smoother look and a bigger rear window; the Securi-Lock Passive Anti-Theft system was made standard; the 2WD mode was dropped from the Control-Trac system and the 4X4 High mode was added; second-generation de-powered airbags were now standard on all models
-In 1999, a new front bumper was added as well as side-impact airbags being offered; a reverse sensing system was also offered

My 1998 Explorer Sport

The Features include:

power windows, locks, mirrors	cruise control	remote keyless entry w/ keypad	tilt steering wheel	In-dash CD player (factory, added aftermarket)	cloth high-back bucket seats
automatic headlamps and auto-dimming rearview mirror	power driver's seat w/ power dual power lumbar supports	overhead console w/ temp display, compass, maplights and storage	high-series floor console w/ front & rear cupholders, storage bin, rear stereo and HVAC controls	50/50 split-fold rear seats creating about 70 cu. ft. of cargo space	Premium Sport Group: fog lamps, side step bars, 16" wheel (mine are from 95-97 models, offered only a short time on the 98's)
exterior puddle lamps	4.0 EFI 160 HP V-6	5 speed automatic transmission	speed-sensitive variable intermit dual front wipers	rear-intermit wiper/washer	wheel-lip moldings
Dual 2nd generation front airbags	4-Wheel Antilock Disc Brakes	perimeter anti-theft system	Securi-Lock passive anti-theft system	Control-Trac 4WD

I purchased this vehicle in September of 2001 with 17,000 miles on it. It presently has over 24,000 miles and is a pleasure to drive. The only mods I've done include a bug deflector and a Kenwood sound system.

Other Family Explorers

This is a picture of my previous Explorer (left) and my father's Explorer. My old Explorer was a 1992 Eddie Bauer and was bought by my father in February of 1995. He sold it to me in September of 1998. It was a great vehicle and got me a lot of attention in high school. When I traded it for my Sport, it had 120,000 miles on it. I had a lot of fun with this vehicle. My father's new Explorer is a 2000 XLT. He bought it less than a year ago with 23,000 miles on it. It now has about 37,000 miles. Since then, he's added a remote car starter which is really nice for our cold New York winters.

In January of 2000, introduced as 2001 models, the Explorer line began to differentiate itself some. The Explorer Sport was restyled with a more aggressive look and was now considered a separate model from the 4-door Explorer. Also, the Explorer Sport Trac was introduced. It is a SUV-truck hybrid. Basically, the cab is a 4-door Explorer with the new Sport's styling and there a pickup bed on the back.

The 2002 Explorer is the biggest departure yet for this midsize SUV. Introduced in early 2001, the new 2002 Explorer is completely different from the Sport and Sport Trac which use the previous generation's frame and interior. The new 2002 4-door Explorer is an all-new design offering the following features:

-4-wheel independent suspension for a smoother ride and better handling
-an available third row of seating that folds flat into the floor
-available side-curtain airbags with a rollover safety canopy
-40/20/40 middle seat when the third row is ordered
-power adjustable pedals
-4.6 Liter SOHC V8 producing 240 HP

The new Explorer has earned numerous awards and was named a "Best Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a 40 mph offset crashtest. It has also maintained its status as "Best-Selling SUV" since its introduction.

This summer, the 2003 Lincoln Aviator will be introduced. It is an upscale clone of the Explorer.

2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

2002 Mercury Mountaineer

2003 Lincoln Aviator