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2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC CHASSIS/BODYmedia.caranddriver.com/files/2001-ford-explorer-sport-trac.pdf · MARCH 2000 101 the Sport Trac (and the 2001 Explorer Sport; see page 38,

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Page 1: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC CHASSIS/BODYmedia.caranddriver.com/files/2001-ford-explorer-sport-trac.pdf · MARCH 2000 101 the Sport Trac (and the 2001 Explorer Sport; see page 38,

MARCH 2000 101

the Sport Trac (and the 2001 ExplorerSport; see page 38, this issue) now presentsa look that will spread to all Explorers. Itincludes clear-lens headlamps, a body-col-ored grille with larger openings, and moreprominent fender flares. The Sport Trac’ssteel tailgate may look familiar—it’s fromthe F-150 Flareside pickup.

Underneath are more changes. TheExplorer’s pickup-bed mutation requireda stretch of the five-door’s wheelbase from111.6 to 125.9 inches. Gussets were addedacross the frame to increase lateral stiff-ness by 40 percent. The Sport Trac canhaul a payload of up to 1500 pounds andcan tow up to 5260 pounds. The optionalpart-time, shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system offers high and low four-wheel-drive settings, as well as a rear-drivesetting. As in other Explorers, it’s con-trolled by a switch on the dash.

A few hours behind the wheel revealeda ride improvement over past Explorers.The Sport Trac has new two-stage-pro-gressive rear leaf springs. Ford claims theyallow a softer ride and increased loadcapacity. The shock absorbers at all fourcorners were revalved, and front and rearanti-roll bars were revised. The changesreduce the Explorer’s notoriously bouncyride, but at some cost to body control. Wenoticed some floatiness, at least with fouradults aboard. Our Sport Trac seemed qui-eter than past Explorers. Credit new ure-thane body mounts (in place of rubber) aswell as the rubber floor mat, which wasdesigned specifically for sound deadening.Ford says most of these changes will findtheir way into other Explorers by the timethe rest of the 2001 line is out.

Explorers are available with threeengines, but the Sport Trac gets just oneof them—the 205-hp, 4.0-liter SOHC V-6, which is, coincidentally, our favoriteExplorer engine. But the Sport Tracweighs about 400 more pounds than the2001 Explorer Sport three-door and willprobably weigh about 200 more poundsthan the five-door. Figure 0-to-60 sprintsin the nine-second range with the five-

speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. A five-speed manual will beavailable by the end of the year, whichshould lop off at least a half-second fromthat time. It’s laudable that Ford will offerthe manual, although Bedi expects fewerthan one in five customers will opt for it.By the EPA’s yardstick, the auto-equippedSport Trac is good for 15 to 16 mpg in thecity and 19 to 20 mpg on the highway.

The Explorer plant in Louisville,Kentucky, has been hard at work buildingSport Tracs since December, and they’llbe available by the time you read this.Rear-drive models will start at $23,050,and four-wheel-drive versions will go for

$25,820 and up. Those prices are about$600 to $800 more than those of the 2001Explorer Sport. Just for fun, a DodgeDakota Quad Cab, with rear-wheel drive,a V-8, and an automatic, runs $21,055. ANissan Frontier XE crew cab V-6 auto-matic starts at $18,860.

To be fair, those pickups don’t comewith the slick features of the Sport Trac, apickup that might be just different enoughto justify its SUV-like price. If you’re seton an SUV but concerned about getting itfilthy inside, the Sport Trac might bubbleto the top of your short list. If not, you maywant to stick with a conventional SUV.Better yet, have you considered a car?

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACVehicle type: front-engine, rear- or rear/4-wheel-drive,

5-passenger, 4-door pickup

Base price: rear-wheel drive, $23,050; 4-wheel drive,$25,820

Major standard accessories: power steering,windows, and locks; A/C

Sound system: Ford AM/FM-stereo radio/CD player, 4speakers

ENGINEType . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .V-6, iron block and aluminum headsBore x stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.95 x 3.32 in, 100.4 x 84.4mmDisplacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245 cu in, 4009ccCompression ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.7:1Engine-control system . . . . . .Ford EDIS with port fuel injectionEmissions controls . . . . . . .3-way catalytic converter, feedback

air-fuel-ratio control, EGRValve gear . . . . . . .chain-driven single overhead cams, 2 valves

per cylinder, hydraulic liftersPower (SAE net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205 bhp @ 5250 rpmTorque (SAE net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240 lb-ft @ 3750 rpmRedline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6250 rpm

DRIVETRAINTransmissions . . . . . . . .5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic

with lockup torque converterFinal-drive ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .std, 3.73:1; opt, 4.10:1Transfer-gear ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L, 2.48:1; H, 1.00:1

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIESWheelbase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125.9 inTrack, F/R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58.5/58.5 inLength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205.9 inWidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71.8 inHeight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70.1 inFrontal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28.3 sq ftGround clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.7 inCurb weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4150–4400 lbWeight distribution, F/R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55/45%Fuel capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20.5 galOil capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.0 qtWater capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.8 qt

CHASSIS/BODYType . . . . . . . . . . . . .full-length frame with rubber-isolated bodyBody material . . . . .welded steel stampings and sheet molding

composite plastic

INTERIORSAE volume, front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 cu ft

rear seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 cu ftcargo volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 cu ft

Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bucketRestraint systems, front . . . . . .manual 3-point belts, driver and

passenger front airbagsrear . . .manual 3-point belts, center lap belt

SUSPENSIONF: . . . . . . . . . . . . .ind, unequal-length control arms, torsion bars,

anti-roll barR: . . . . . . . . .ind, rigid axle located by semi-elliptic leaf springs,

anti-roll bar

STEERINGType . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rack-and-pinion, power-assistedTurns lock-to-lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.3Turning circle curb-to-curb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43.1 ft

BRAKESF: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.0 x 1.0-in vented discR: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11.0 x 2.3-in cast-iron drumPower assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vacuum with anti-lock control

WHEELS AND TIRESWheel size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .std, 7.0 x 15 in; opt, 7.0 x 16 inWheel type . . . . . . . . . . .std, stamped steel; opt, cast aluminumTires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Firestone Wilderness AT; opt,

HT: std, P235/75R-15; opt, P255/70R-16

C/D-ESTIMATED PERFORMANCEZero to 60 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.5–9.3 secStanding 1/4-mile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16.5–17.1 secTop speed (governor limited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 mph

PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMYEPA city driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15–16 mpgEPA highway driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19–20 mpg

Cargo-bed cover weighs a hefty 70 pounds but is otherwise easily removed and can be locked down tight with ignition key.