Ford Explorer Sport Trac | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
Production | 2000–2010 |
Model years | 2001–2005 2007–2010 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Pickup truck |
Body style | 4-door pickup truck |
Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
Chronology | |
Successor | Ford Ranger (T6) |
First generation | |
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Overview | |
Production | February 2000–2005 |
Model years | 2001–2005 |
Assembly |
Louisville, Kentucky, United States Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 4-door pickup truck |
Related |
Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer Ford Ranger |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 4.0 L Cologne SOHC V6 |
Transmission | 5-speed M5OD manual 5-speed 5R55E automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 125.9 in (3,198 mm) |
Length | 205.9 in (5,230 mm) |
Width | 71.8 in (1,824 mm) |
Height | 70.5 in (1,791 mm) 70.4 in (1,788 mm) (2003 4WD) 70.1 in (1,781 mm) (2001–02) |
Second generation | |
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Overview | |
Production | 2006–2010 |
Model years | 2007–2010 |
Assembly |
Louisville, Kentucky, United States Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela |
Designer | Chelsia Lau |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 4-door pickup truck |
Related |
Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 4.0 L Cologne V6 4.6 L 24-valve Modular V8 |
Transmission | 5-speed 5R55E automatic 6-speed 6R automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 130.5 in (3,315 mm) |
Length | 210.2 in (5,339 mm) |
Width | 73.7 in (1,872 mm) |
Height | 2009–10: 71.6 in (1,819 mm) 2007–08: 72.5 in (1,842 mm) |
The Ford Explorer Sport Trac, sometimes referred to as simply the Ford Sport Trac, is a mid-size pickup truck sold mostly in North America produced by Ford from 2000 through 2010. The Sport Trac was based on the Ford Explorer SUV – not the compact Ford Ranger – because it was introduced when the Explorer and Ranger platforms diverged (the Explorer's chassis was a heavy duty variant of the Ranger's). The Sport Trac fell between the Ranger and F-Series in Ford's truck lineup, based on capability and price. It competed with other mid-size trucks and SUVs, such as the mid-size Honda Ridgeline and even the larger full-size Chevrolet Avalanche. During its first year on sale in the U.S., there was a waiting list of over 3 months. The Sport Trac was a Class 2 vehicle with a GVWR of 6250 lbs. and a maximum GCWR of 12,000 lbs. This made it one of the more and the then most capable mid-size pickups, having a greater GVWR and GCWR than the Dodge Dakota, GM's GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado pickups and Toyota Tacoma.
The Sport Trac was discontinued in October 2010, even though it was announced in earlier press releases that production would end in 2011, since the 2011 unibody-Ford Explorer was introduced in December 2010. The Sport Trac was sold through the 2011 calendar year as a 2010 model.
The Explorer Sport Trac was introduced in February 2000 as a 2001 model. It was built on a lengthened Explorer chassis, but with a small pickup bed behind the four normal SUV doors. To make up for the short box, a bed extender was available. The bed was made entirely of a plastic composite material, and a hard plastic tonneau cover was a common factory option. The tailgate was carried over from the F-150 Flare Side. The pickup had a more rugged-appearing front end, which the 2-door Explorer Sport also received. The dash and front cabin area were nearly identical to the Ranger, while the exterior used Explorer parts. Midway through the 2001 model year, the engine design was changed. The "Job 1" 4.0L SOHC featured an alloy intake manifold. This was changed to a composite manifold in June 2000, and the oil filler cap moved from the driver side to the passenger side of the engine.