Ford explorer off road tuning

Ford Explorer, Sport Trac, Ford Ranger, Bronco II, Mazda Navajo, Mercury Mountaineer, Enthusiasts

With the Ford Explorer being the #1 SUV in America for over two decades there is certainly no one in the US who not familiar with this vehicle. The trouble is that most people equate a Ford Explorer with soccer moms and shopping malls rather than off road trails such as the Rubicon and Terminator.

The 1st and 2nd Generation Ford Explorers may be the best kept secrets in the off-road world. When these rigs are stock they are capable off-road performers. After a few modifications they become nearly unstoppable.

From 1991-1994 the Ford Explorer platform came with a full ladder type frame based on the tough Ford Ranger platform, an extremely tough 8.8” 31 spline rear axle, Dana 35 Twin Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension (axle diameters and U-joints are the same as a Dana 44), choice of a manual or electronic shift BW1354 transfer case with low range, manual or automatic locking hubs, and a torquey, super reliable 4.0L V-6.

In 1995 Ford changed the front suspension on the Explorer to an IFS system (Independent Front Suspension). Although the IFS systems offer less wheel travel than the TTB systems, they have proven themselves to be extremely capable and reliable off-road.
2002 brought more changes to the Explorer 4 door. The most noticeable change is the addition of an Independent Rear Suspension system in place of the live axle suspension all previous Explorers shared.

So, what does it take to make the Explorer “really” off-road worthy? The same type of modifications as any other rig. Large tires for flotation and ground clearance. A lift to accommodate the big tires. Re-gearing to compensate for the larger diameter of the tires and a locker or two for putting the power to the ground. Approach and departure angles can be maximized by installing aftermarket bumpers, and the break over angle is excellent since the transfer case is tucked well up within the frame rails.

2011 brought the biggest changes to the Explorer since it’s inception in 1991. Beginning in 2011 the Ford Explorer was built on a unibody chassis. There is no longer a separate frame. In 2011 Ford also ditched the Explorer’s transfer case, so low range is no longer available. Sadly, due to the changes which have made the Explorer more «car like» the Fifth Generation Explorer is the least capable in off highway conditions of all the generations. I am looking forward to eventually seeing 5th gen Explorers with solid axle conversions front and rear, along with a proper transfer case.

Welcome to
«Serious Explorations» ®

» Serious Explorations» ® has been the #1 Ford Explorer and Ranger enthusiast community since 1996!

Our Message Board . is the top resource for all Ford Explorer, Ford Ranger, Explorer Sport Trac, Mercury Mountaineer, and Mazda Navajo related topics providing guidance to the do it yourselfer, preventive maintenance tips, service, modifications, and on and off-road event planning.

The message board is your gateway to our extremely active and friendly community of Ford Explorer / Ranger based truck owners. You will find lots of great people there ready to help you solve your most obscure problems.

I n our network of sites you will find the Ford Explorer Generation Guide and Ford Explorer and Ranger Maintenance Tips to keep your Explorer and Ranger based trucks running great.

Be sure to check out our huge Photo Gallery where members can show off their Explorers, Rangers!!

Let the «Serious Explorations» begin!

With over 300,000 registered Explorer, Ranger, Mountaineer, Bronco II and Navajo owners and 3 million+ posts you will get your questions answered quickly no matter if your ride is stock, offroad, race, or street.

Tech Tips, Repairs, Performance Modifications, Maintenance Recommendations, Cures for Common Problems, Swaps, 4×4 Runs, Sport Truck Rides and more! Join us today!

Thousands of Tech Tips Can Be Found
by searching our:
Explorer Ranger Message Board

In the beginning .
The first Ford Explorer.

The Inside Story of the
Ford Explorer SUV Program

by Derek Elliott
Former Ford Body & Electrical Engineer

VIN Number Decoding
Axle Identification

Editor’s Explorer

Rick’s «Great Pumpkin»

My photos from SEMA, the ultimate parts and accessories exhibition presented each year in Las Vegas by the Specialty Equipment and Manufacturers Association

Источник

2021 Ford Explorer Timberline Adds More Off-Road Vibes

Starting at $47,010, this ruggedized model has a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential.

• The 2021 Ford Explorer is adding a rugged trim level called Timberline.
• It features a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, and a few visual changes inside and out.
• The Timberline starts at $47,010 and comes standard with all-wheel drive.

Ford already has many names meant to indicate a rugged attitude—Tremor, Raptor, Bronco, Badlands—and the 2021 Ford Explorer is adding another to that list with its new Timberline trim level. This model includes a few mechanical upgrades and an outdoorsy appearance, with standard all-wheel drive, a lifted suspension, and all-terrain tires, among other features.

More on the Explorer

Looks-wise, the Timberline has a different grille, red tow hooks, front and rear skid plates, and 18-inch wheels. It’s also offered in a new Forged Green color, pictured here. There’s a bit of extra off-road capability in play thanks to the 0.8-inch suspension lift, retuned springs, Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. Ford says the Timberline has the same upgraded shocks as the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer, but with different tuning meant for off-road use.

The interior features stone mesh dashboard trim, cloth inserts for the seats, and various Timberline logos that are shaped like a mountain range. Standard features include heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The Explorer Timberline is only offered with the SUV’s base engine, a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A towing package comes standard and Ford claims a tow rating of 5300 pounds. Various outfitter packages will be available and include accessories such as rubber floor mats and roof-rack crossbars.

With a starting price of $47,010, the Timberline fits in price-wise between all-wheel-drive versions of the XLT and Limited models within the Explorer lineup. It’ll reach dealerships in the U.S. this summer.

This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.

Источник

Top 5 Upgrades For The Explorer ST

When it comes to the SUV, very few vehicles are as recognizable as the Explorer. Taking the world by storm during its initial debut, the popularity of the Explorer has continued to grow, branching into different markets than most SUVs could ever reach. With the newest Timberline model, the Explorer is back to its off-road capable roots, but the most entertaining remains the Explorer ST. With rear-biased performance and a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, the Explorer ST is easily one of the most thrilling SUVs available on sale to date, especially at its price point of $47,745. The ST accelerates like a muscle car, handles close to a sports car, and does it all with seating for seven comfortably.

With it being so easy to modify with the EcoBoost motor, picking the top 5 upgrades might seem difficult, but there are some that shine above the others. These engines and vehicles have shown themselves to be incredibly easy to modify — more so than many other family SUVs. Just like performance cars like the Mustang, the Explorer ST is brimming with possibilities for higher performance. As one of the newest hot vehicles, we at Steeda are more than ready to make it the ultimate performance SUV from Ford.

Explorer ST Review

Explorer ST Tuning

As impressive as the Explorer ST is, it can always perform better, run faster, and drive harder. The engine comes from the factory putting out 400 horsepower from its twin-turbo V6 engine. While it is no slouch, running the 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, the car can have extra power put in easily. The twin-turbo V6 is incredibly easy to tune and upgrade for more power, like all EcoBoost engines, and upgrades like this are relatively affordable as well. The tuner that SCT makes is capable of full diagnostic work plus installation of tunes for your ST. SCT’s X4 tuner for the Explorer ST is able to help data log extra info for upgrading, such as fuel economy, torque, turbo pressure, and more. This tuner can add more power if you tune it for it as well as being able to improve fuel economy, functioning as an all-in-one system to keep your vehicle running to its best performance.

Explorer ST Intercooler

If you intend to upgrade your Explorer ST, you’re going to need to improve how it breathes. Keeping your engine cool is important in any application, and in turbocharged vehicles, like the Explorer ST it can make a major difference in power and efficiency. To ensure that the pressurized air from the turbos is cold when it reaches the engine, upgrading to the Whipple Mega Cooler is your best option. At more than three times the size of the stock intercooler in the Explorer ST, the Mega Cooler cools the motor down and helps it breathe more easily than any other option on the market, helping with acceleration and overall driving performance.

Explorer ST Cat-Back Exhaust

Explorer ST Rear Sway Bar

Explorer ST Shocks

Along with the rear sway bars, there are other upgrades that will improve the handling of your Explorer ST too. Upgrades to suspension are the best ways to improve handling, such as lowering or reinforcing for structural rigidity and lowering the center of gravity. While there are not many upgrades on the ST currently, the option to nearly create your own ST yields many upgrades like the Steeda Pro-Action Front and Rear Struts and Shocks. The Steeda Pro-Action Struts are proven to make your Explorer handle at least on-par with the ST, lowering the center of gravity while also keeping the car more stable on the road under corners or hard acceleration. For even more performance, installing the Steeda Explorer Lowering Springs which will lower the center of gravity further and allowing you even more control over your Explorer ST.

Источник