explorer sport trac questions

[b4000mike]

Thinking about gettin a new truck soon.. I love my truck, but the fact i can only take one person with me is kindof a pain. I was thinking about the 01-04 sporttrac. If I got it, it would get a torsion crank, shackles and a 3inch bodylift for 33s

are there any major areas other than bedspace that the sporttracs lacks over the rangers???

are these trucks really a truck first, car second, or are they like a Ridgeline???


thanks

 

[ozzy85]

I heard Ridgelines are unit-bodied like a car. I don't think Honda ever made anything with a frame under it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They are based on the last style Exploder with a solid rear axle, which is based on the Ranger.

 

[JohnnyO]

are there any major areas other than bedspace that the sporttracs lacks over the rangers???

I look at it the other way, bedspace is the only area where Rangers have an advantage over Sport Tracs. And if you get one with the bed extender (I recommend it), it's about the same as a short-box Ranger.
In my case it was a matter that my kids no longer fit in the back of the Supercab very well. They have this annoying tendency to get taller.
In 2001 there are what is called Job 1 and Job 2 Tracs. The Job 1's have some different parts and arrangements. They're not bad but it is better to stay away from them purely from a convenience standpoint.
All 01-05 Tracs have the 4.0 SOHC and 31 spline 8.8" rear. Manual trannys are out there but rare.
01-02 Tracs have rear drum brakes. 03-05's have rear discs. I strongly recommend the discs, although it's possible to retrofit an earlier model. The 4 wheel discs are much better brakes than what Rangers have. (I had two Rangers previously.)
Sport Trac seats are vastly more comfortable than Ranger seats.
OE Sport Trac shocks are junk and way too soft. Buy Monroe Sensa Tracs or whatever immediately. I tossed my OE shocks at 12k miles.
4x4 Tracs have a t-case skidplate but not one for the fuel tank. A fuel tank plate is available from Ford Accessories for about $270. I have one and recommend it if you go off-roading.
You'll get to love the sliding rear window real quick.
The plastic bed is great.
A bodylift alone will fit 33's but you will either have to lose the front tow hooks or cut some ghetto-looking notches in the valence for them.
I have just a torsion twist and shackles, Warrior p/n WAR-153, and run 32's.
Essentially a Sport Trac is an SUV for people who need to haul dirt.
I call it a Sport Luxury Utility Truck, or SLUT.
w/lift, w/o dirt:

w/lift, w/dirt:

More specific Sport Trac info is at www.mysporttrac.com

 

[b4000mike]

thanks.. looks like the s/t will be my next truck... all i need now is MONEY

btw Nice truck, when i get mine, im adding the nice touch of the FX4 sticker

 

[JohnnyO]

btw Nice truck, when i get mine, im adding the nice touch of the FX4 sticker

Thanks. Used ones tend to be pricey, I think because not many are out there. Got the decal from www.webxtremes.com, but I don't see them on the site any more. I got hood stripes too that you can't see in those pics. Being that I added bigger tires, better shocks, skidplate, and chromed tow hooks, I figure it's the real FX4 that Ford never built.