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The three-door Explorer differed slightly, sharing the XL and Eddie Bauer trims with the five-door. The XL was distinguished by a black grille (chrome optional) with steel wheels, while the XLT offered a chrome grille and alloy wheels; the Eddie Bauer offered alloy wheels and two-tone paintwork. Sharing the features of the XLT, the outdoors-themed Eddie Bauer was the highest-range trim. The first-generation Explorer followed the rest of the Ford light truck line in trim nomenclature, marketing a base-level XL trim and higher-range XLT trim. A front split-bench seat was offered as an option (dependent on trim), expanding seating to six passengers. In what would become a design feature of the model line, the B-pillar and D-pillars were blacked out.
- This generation Explorer would be the last to use traditional body on frame construction.
- The 5R55 series transmissions found on second through fourth-generation Explorers were also notorious for premature failures.
- The interior received redesigned front and rear seats; alongside second-generation dual airbags, side airbags were introduced (as an option).
- Styling changes for the Sport are minimal, with the rear wiper moving from the tailgate assembly to being built into the rear window.
- In line with the Ranger and F-Series trucks, the rear suspension remained a leaf-sprung live rear axle.
- You can find the build date of your Ford vehicle on the door jamb label located on the driver’s side front or rear door panel.
Also, a tire pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control became standard equipment for improved safety. Along with the deletion of the Firestone Wilderness AT tires, to further reduce rollover risk, the front and rear axles were widened (the latter, coinciding with the introduction of independent rear suspension). The change allowed for a lower rear cargo floor, adding nearly 10 cubic feet of additional cargo space. The 4-wheel independent configuration was a first for Ford Motor Company trucks and American-market SUVs (with the exception of the HMMWV-derived Hummer H1). The primary objective behind the development of the model line was to make the Explorer more competitive in both domestic and export markets. Due to Japan’s strict Shaken Laws, used vehicles tend to have low mileage with detailed repair histories.
The Explorer’s wider body allowed for three-across rear passenger seating in the five-door version built on an extended wheelbase. To compete against both model lines, three-door and five-door body styles were launched (introduced in the same month as the five-door S-10 Blazer and seven years after the Jeep Cherokee XJ started the five-door SUV trend). You can find the build date of your Ford vehicle on the door jamb label located on the driver’s side front or rear door panel.
How do you tell what year a Ford Explorer is?
Inside, the FPIU received a new steering wheel, new interior trim, and a revised center stack. All iterations of the FPIU used a variant of Ford’s 6F six-speed automatic transmission. For the 2014 model year, a 3.5 L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost best online casinos V6, shared with the Explorer Sport, Taurus SHO, and FPIS was added to the lineup making 365 hp (272 kW; 370 PS) and 350 lb⋅ft (470 N⋅m) of torque. Instead, it was equipped with a 3.7 L Cyclone V6 used in the Ford Mustang, but in a transverse arrangement as the standard engine. For the 2013 model year, Ford introduced the Taurus-based Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (FPIS) and Explorer-based Ford Police Interceptor Utility (FPIU).
Though powertrain options remained the same, the FPIU received an upgraded electrical system, a new front fascia with LED reflector headlights, a new rear fascia, and an unlock button on the trunk. For the 2016 model year, the FPIU was refreshed along with the rest of the Explorer line. Polk declared the FPIU the most popular police vehicle, based on 2013 U.S. sales figures.
Sixth-Generation Explorer Pre-Facelift Production Years
In Europe there is an available plug-in hybrid version that includes a 350 hp (261 kW) 3.0 L V6 petrol engine, 100 hp (75 kW) electric motor, and 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined output of 450 hp (336 kW) and 600 lb⋅ft (813 N⋅m). Explorer vehicles purchased by fleet buyers were also given the option to equip their vehicles with a 3.3L V6 gasoline engine. It also mates with a 10-speed automatic and sees an increase in towing capacity, to 5,600 lb (2,540 kg). An optional twin-turbocharged 3.0 L EcoBoost V6 makes 365 hp (272 kW) and 380 lb⋅ft (515 N⋅m) of torque, while the ST with the same engine makes 400 hp (298 kW) and 415 lb⋅ft (563 N⋅m) of torque.
Only models sold in Continental Europe and the British Isles are shown, overseas territories often have different offerings. The recalls warnings are set to be issued to owners of these vehicles starting March 13, 2024. As a result, when they fail, antifreeze is dumped directly into the crankcase; mixing with engine oil and potentially damaging the head gaskets and connecting rod bearings. Water pumps on 2011 through 2019 Ford Explorer and 2013 through 2019 Ford Police Interceptor Utility equipped with the 3.5 L V6, 3.5 L EcoBoost V6, and 3.7 L V6 have a tendency to fail and potentially ruin the engine when they do.
The model line has undergone rebadging several times, with Mazda, Mercury, and Lincoln each selling derivative variants. The fifth and sixth generations of the Explorer have been produced as the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (replacing both the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan). The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a crew-cab mid-size pickup truck derived from the second-generation Explorer. The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. At AHG, we are committed to always providing our Perth customers with the best service and benefits when it comes to their vehicle servicing and repair needs. Every Ford Explorer has a unique code referred to as a vehicle identification number (VIN) which contains vital vehicle information.
It also came standard with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, and the fender flares that came on the Explorer and standard Sport Trac were deleted. The model was planned by Ford SVT to be the successor to the F-150 Lightning sports pickup truck. Unlike its predecessor sold through 2005, it featured the V8 engine as an option and was based on this generation Explorer’s platform.
Shifting into the midsize SUV size class, the first-generation Explorer is far larger than the Bronco II. All Explorers were equipped with the Ford 8.8 axle in either a limited-slip differential or an open version; multiple rear-axle ratios could be specified. As an option, the Explorer was also offered with a manual-shift transfer case (the option was paired with manual-locking hubs). As with the Ranger, the UN46 Explorer has a Twin I-Beam (4×2) or Twin-Traction Beam (4×4) coil-sprung front independent suspension and a leaf-sprung solid rear axle. For the North American market, the first four generations of the Explorer were produced by Ford at its Louisville Assembly Plant (Louisville, Kentucky) and its now-closed St. Louis Assembly Plant (Hazelwood, Missouri).