The Explorer lineup now consisted of two models: 2-door Explorer Sport and the 4-door Explorer. The former "Twin Traction Beam" (TTB) front suspension was replaced with a more carlike independent front suspension.
The Explorer saw significant exterior, interior and suspension updates in 1995.
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The automatic locking front hubs also tended to fail prematurely the manual versions, made for Ford by Warn, suffered from fewer reliability problems. Many, but not all 2-door Explorers are badged as Sport models.Ĭommon complaints about the first generation models mostly came from the A4LD automatic transmission, which was not well-suited for towing and was unable to cope with higher power output from modified engines improved fluid cooling using aftermarket transmission coolers can alleviate these issues. A variant of the 2-door Explorer Sport was sold by Mazda as the Navajo, which won Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award but was discontinued in 1994.
It replaced the 2-door Ford Bronco II, and was larger than the Bronco II. Technically similar to the 4-door Ford Explorer, the 2-door Explorer came in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants. Both the grill and headlight trims on the Limited model were paint-matched to the body color, unlike the chrome or black versions on other trim levels. It featured automatic headlights, foglamps, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a center roof console with compass and outside thermometer, unique wheels and grille, and an automatic transmission as standard equipment. The Limited edition, added for 1993, was available only in the 4-door body style and was positioned at the top of the lineup above the Eddie Bauer edition. For the 1993 model year, engine output was increased by 15 hp (11 kW) for a total of 170 hp (127 kW). Four-wheel drive front axles were the TTB (" Twin Traction Beam") Dana 35 with some Dana 44-spec components.Įxplorers initially came in 4 trim levels: base XL, XLT, Sport (only available on the two-door version), and the upscale Eddie Bauer edition. All Explorers were equipped with the 8.8 in (22 cm) Ford rear axle in either a limited slip or open version with a variety of available gear ratios. Both were "shift-on-the-fly" designs that allowed the Explorer to be shifted from two-wheel drive to "four-high" at any speed, although "four-low" was only available when the vehicle was stopped. The 13-54 was available with "Touch Drive" electronic push-button shifting or manual lever-operated shifting. The four-wheel drive versions were equipped with a Borg Warner 13-54 part-time four-wheel drive transfer case. Like its direct competitor, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, it was available in both 2-door and 4-door body styles, and with rear or four-wheel drive. Like the Bronco II it replaced, it was an SUV derivative of the Ranger pickup, and came equipped with many of the Ranger's optional features. It was equipped with a 4.0 L 155 hp (116 kW) V6 engine and either the 4-speed A4LD automatic transmission or 5-speed M5OD manual transmission. The Explorer was released in March 1990 as a 1991 model.
9.1 Rollover and Firestone Tire controversyįirst generation (1991–1994) First generationįront engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel driveĮddie Bauer 4-Door 4WD: 68.3 in (1735 mm).
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Part-time four-wheel drive is an available option, and since 1995 this has been a 'shift on the fly' system with full protection against being engaged at high speed.Ī specially modified Special Service Vehicle version is also available from Ford Fleet for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and EMS agencies.Įxplorer was also the name of a trim package offered on the Ford F-Series trucks from 1968 to 1986. The Explorer has also been involved in controversy, after a spate of fatal rollover accidents involving Explorers fitted with Firestone tires.īoth two-door Explorer Sport and four-door models of Explorer have been sold. Their "crossover" portfolio consists of the Ford Flex and the Ford Edge. Though the Ford Escape is a crossover and the Expedition and Explorer are traditional SUVs, Ford considers all three vehicles to make up their "SUV" portfolio. It is marked as Ford's only mid-sized SUV and is slotted between the larger Ford Expedition and the smaller Ford Escape. The Ford Explorer was instrumental in turning the SUV from a special-interest vehicle into one of the most popular vehicle types on the road. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois (it was also assembled in Hazelwood, Missouri until the plant closed on March 10, 2006). The Ford Explorer is a full-size crossover SUV sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. See also Ford Explorer Sport Trac for the Explorer-based pickup truck Ford Explorer