2001 has two body styles?

[Ranger850]

I know it was a transition year but there seems to be two completely different body styles for 2001. There is the oval Grill, then the next one with the small round, Orange lights in the headlights. But some where in there, there is one that is different than both of those, more square and on the first generation sport trac. Why is that

 

[adsm08]

2001/02 were a mess for the Explorers. The designing/release of the Sport Trac was timed poorly in relation to the body redesign of the Explorer, and the Explorer had a kind of weird gen 2.5 thin where the front end changed a little, but not much.

So you have a few years of the ST in Gen 2 face, in combination with the regular Explorer, then a few years of the Explorer in it's Gen 2.5 face while the ST still used the 95ish sheet metal. Then in 02 you had the big Gen 3 IRS Explorers, the little Sport with the Gen 2.5 body, and the ST still sorta doing it's own thing until the 06 redesign.

I think it was mostly to use up excess parts. The Explorer had been the best selling SUV for years when the Firestone debacle hit. Explorer sales took a dip for a few years, and I find it hard to believe that Ford didn't end up having some excess inventory of body parts for those vehicles, originally slated for ones that never got built.

 

[Ranger850]

That IS messy...

 

[Otis413]

Don't forget the 2nd gen two door sport that they kept making up to 2003 even tho the four door went to 3rd gen in 2001... (or was it 2002??)

Or something like that...

 

[adsm08]

Don't forget the 2nd gen two door sport that they kept making up to 2003 even tho the four door went to 3rd gen in 2001... (or was it 2002??)

Or something like that...

No, 02 was the first year for Gen 3 4-doors.

 

[Ranger850]

How far off of the Ranger is that one. How interchangeable is it with my 2001 Ranger Edge?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Similar to a 2nd gen Explorer.

 

[adsm08]

While extremely similar the body of the Explorer is a bit wider. A no-longer very active member here, SVTRanger, used to ST swap the front clips of his trucks, so it is doable.

 

[Otis413]

How far off of the Ranger is that one. How interchangeable is it with my 2001 Ranger Edge?

If you mean the one in my picture, (my bro-in-laws 01 Explorer Sport) drive train wise except for the rear axle and rear suspension it's the same as my 02 XLT and 04 Edge, (except my 04 Edge has 12" front brake rotors, my 02 Ranger and the 01 Explorer has 11.28" front rotors) as for the body I don't think anything is a direct interchange without some level of work.

 

[Ranger850]

I heard the rotors swap was an upgrade as long gone as you get clearance in the rim for the bigger rotors. But would it be worth it to get one for parts

 

[adsm08]

I heard the rotors swap was an upgrade as long gone as you get clearance in the rim for the bigger rotors. But would it be worth it to get one for parts

Meh. Since your truck has a 3.0 there is very little above the running gear that you can use. Since you prefer lower, and lower is better for your usage, even the springs won't be of much use to you.

Engine and trans won't work, T-case is a moot point since you have a 2wd, nothing in the wiring or body will be a direct interchange, the interior parts might be usable, depends on what you have and what you want.

 

[pjtoledo]

I heard the rotors swap was an upgrade as long gone as you get clearance in the rim for the bigger rotors. But would it be worth it to get one for parts

that only applies to torsion bar trucks, does not work on the coil springs.

 

[Ranger850]

that only applies to torsion bar trucks, does not work on the coil springs.

I have the torsion bars. Also plan on a v8 swap in the next year or so. Depending on the donor I get. I know I can use a lot from the donor. Found an 01 expo sport for cheap. But if I can't salvage much off of it, there is no point.