2011 Ford Explorer

[paro22]

Hi, I'm considering buying the 2011 Ford Explorer. Does anyone know if any vehicle-specific equipment is out yet for this model (such as consoles).


In general, how long after a vehicle redesign does it take for the Manufacturers to release versions to comply with the changes?


Has anyone on here done any work yet on the new Explorer or seen any decked out?


Any info is appreciated, thanks!

 

[C420sailor]

Don't buy it. That thing is ugly as sin.


-A die-hard Explorer owner

 

[cory y]

its not even a real explorer....

 

[ISU_Cyclone]

...it's getting RAVE reviews by every car magazine out there...including it's off road capabilities. You judge it's looks from a picture, but don't seal it's fate before you try it.

 

[cory y]

...it's getting RAVE reviews by every car magazine out there...including it's off road capabilities. You judge it's looks from a picture, but don't seal it's fate before you try it.

I've driven it...


I dont like the fact its not truck based... no more towing, no more V8 its front wheel drive, no real 4x4...

 

[911]

i too took it out on a test last week, horrible........ drove like a car, too low to go the ground... only thing going for it, the interior was nice,but performance wise it was no explorer to me.


they did have a 2010 leftover sport trac, but it had a sticker of $43,999 and a $2,000 rebate, so i told them to keep it lol

 

[paro22]

I've driven it...

I dont like the fact its not truck based... no more towing, no more V8 its front wheel drive, no real 4x4...

I am actually debating between the 2010 & 2011 versions. I personally also like the 2010 much better for a lot of reasons. The 2011 gets much better MPG though, and i do like some of the interior features (and probable resale value).

 

[HILO]

...it's getting RAVE reviews by every car magazine out there...including it's off road capabilities. You judge it's looks from a picture, but don't seal it's fate before you try it.

Thats odd, I have the March 2011 edition of Automobile magizine and they put it on a test with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. That is until it came to going off road. They couldnt take it on the trials that they took older Explorers on, let alone follow the Grand Cherokee. There is no low range gearing, and the front and rear body hangs too far from the wheels. Motor trend said the same thing. On the road, of course it is going to get great reviews, the Volvo platform that the Taurus, Flex and Explorer are built on is a great platform for cars. For dirt roads and average trails, I'm sure the 2011 Explorer is great with the different levels of traction control offered from the knob. Its a city vehicle, and works out great as such. It does tow 5000 lbs, same as my 2000 V6. I take my 2000 4 door 2wd all over my parents ranch in the hill country of Texas. Places the 4wd Colorado cant climb and the 4wd Ram 3500 cant fit are no problem for my Explorer. I like the 2011 Explorer, it drives nice, and has alot of nice creature comforts. If I stayed on paved roads, I wouldnt hesitate to get one with the 4 cyl turbo. But becaue I do go off road frequently, I would buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or even better, the 2011 Dodge Durango (same as the Cherokee) 4wd.


As for upfitter equipment, the PPV is not due out until next year so I wouldnt expect to see much from any of the brands until then. However, Ford says that consoles and other equipment from the Crown Victoria will fit the Taurus interceptor package, and the Explorer interceptor package is built from the Taurus, so I would assume that the equipment will be mostly the same. Which means Crown Vic consoles will fit in both 2012 Ford PPV's. As for the civilian versions, remember that the PPV's will have not have cosole shifters, so there might not be equipment consoles for the non PPV cars from Ford.

 

[Rofocowboy84]

That THING does not deserve the "Explorer" name! I would have rather they just drop the Explorer than ruin it's name with that POS!

 

[Bonanno]

That THING does not deserve the "Explorer" name! I would have rather they just drop the Explorer than ruin it's name with that POS!

AMEN!!!! I can't agree more with you.

 

[rwo978]

I've seen a couple around town here this past week. I think a neighbor up the block has one. They're not too bad looking. But, if they're some sissy soccermom SUV that can't even be taken off road, what's the point??

 

[ParkPiggy]

Yeah, motor trend said its no good for off-roading and Ford said their target audience won't buy it for off roading-which I agree with. 95% of the Explorer owners will never go off pavement, so this new version will be fine for them.

 

[TCO]

if you are going to buy the 2011 exploder save your money and just buy the escape,at least it looks somewhat better and gets better gas miles..otherwise you cannot beat a quad cab f150 or super duty may cost more but will last longer than the so called suv's

 

[Rofocowboy84]

Was at the Philly Auto Show today and the Ford section had a few. Still don't like them. Seriously, all they did was redesign the Edge and put an Explorer badge on it!


I love the way Ford's going with everything except the "Explorer".....

 

[Alovebaby41]

Just another reason to not buy a ford! And i'm not too hip on the new police vehicle either.


But i'm not a fan of ford to begin with.

 

[tnems7]

Have to agree, UGLY! I saw one today with oversize tires and custom wheels - Had to do a retake? And it was in front of a Dodge Nitro, another ugly SUV.


Since the 2011 Explorer is built on a Taurus platform, and they offer an AWD Taurus, I believe I would rather go that route for a public safety vehicle.


For a sportier trim version of the Ford Escape, try the Mazda Tribute. That's my wife's ride and the suspension tweaks and V-6 performance are fine. But I wouldn't see that platform for Police use.

 

[K9Vic]

Yeah, motor trend said its no good for off-roading and Ford said their target audience won't buy it for off roading-which I agree with. 95% of the Explorer owners will never go off pavement, so this new version will be fine for them.

Ford has not made a "real" 4X4 SUV since the full size Bronco, IMHO. That had real solid axles and lock-out hubs unlike independent suspension w/electronic 4X4 are just crap. I can tell a major difference in the 4X4 performance in snow & ice compared to my 84 Military Blazer4X4 and 2005 Tahoe 4X4 w/Z71, the Tahoe slips more.


Most people that buy a new 4X4 will never take it off-road or let along even remember to put it in 4X4 when the streets are icy or snowed over. Anyone that is going use a vehicle off-road for any long term use will buy pickup, full size SUV or real Jeep that can handle it.

 

[dustymedic]

For a sportier trim version of the Ford Escape, try the Mazda Tribute. That's my wife's ride and the suspension tweaks and V-6 performance are fine. But I wouldn't see that platform for Police use.

I thought of getting a Tribute, but I'm thinking my next car will be an Escape, so i can have Sync!!!

 

[LLS]

I just thought that someone should post pics.

 

[paro22]

As for upfitter equipment, the PPV is not due out until next year so I wouldnt expect to see much from any of the brands until then. However, Ford says that consoles and other equipment from the Crown Victoria will fit the Taurus interceptor package, and the Explorer interceptor package is built from the Taurus, so I would assume that the equipment will be mostly the same. Which means Crown Vic consoles will fit in both 2012 Ford PPV's. As for the civilian versions, remember that the PPV's will have not have cosole shifters, so there might not be equipment consoles for the non PPV cars from Ford.

That's what I was hoping to find out. Thanks for the info

 

[ParkPiggy]

I love the caprice, but for our department, I'm really hoping we merge into the ford PI lines. The optional AWD is gonna be awesome! We are in part of the snow belt, and can get slammed quickly, and often! We have a totally mixed fleet now; crew cab rams, explorers, an escape hybrid(stupervisors), and impala. I'd love to see my dept switch to replacing to PIs, all AWD, 8 of the sedans and 3 of the explorers. I think the extra weight of the explorers would help our northern districts which get the heavier snow.


Another benefit of the ford line, is the mechanical parts between the sedan and SUV, and regular and ecoboost engines are almost all identical. It would make it much easier for dept mechanics to stock what they need!

 

[LED138]

I just leased a new Explorer.. So far I like the truck. I dont do much off-roading at all, so that parts not gonna bother me. I got it for cost savings on gas and the lease on my '08 Expedition was up anyway. All manufacturers have nothing for the truck yet. The only company that has parts for the '11 is Ford. And they consist of a bug shield and rain guards for the windows.


The only thing that Ive mounted in the truck so far is my Sound-Off interior Pinnacle which is reused from the Expy.. I used to have a Galls XL200 mounted in the Expy and was hoping to reuse it... However, the box is too big and wont fit where i want to put it. So Ill be buying the \X/ PCC8R and putting the head in the compartment for the USB and audio inputs.. Anyone interested in an XL200? (similar to Brookings 990)

 

[DaveCN5]

They need to bring back the Excursion. Forget fuel economy!

 

[Newberry13]

They need to bring back the Excursion. Forget fuel economy!

:yes: :thumbsup:


I also want them to bring back the Bronco!

 

[Rofocowboy84]

I just leased a new Explorer.. So far I like the truck. I dont do much off-roading at all, so that parts not gonna bother me.

Then why not just buy a car? Also, it's not a truck....not even close....

 

[DaveCN5]

:yes: :thumbsup:

I also want them to bring back the Bronco!

HELL YES!

 

[LED138]

Then why not just buy a car? Also, it's not a truck....not even close....

Because cars suck! and pardon me... SUV....

 

[Rofocowboy84]

Because cars suck! and pardon me... SUV....

Why do you say cars suck? You just listed everything you never plan on doing, and that list makes it pointless to have an SUV/truck, so you might as well just get a car and get better gas mileage....


I'd hesitate to even call it an SUV.....it's a cross-over, which I hate......

 

[Newberry13]

I'd hesitate to even call it an SUV.....it's a cross-over, which I hate......

Ford is only calling it an SUV because it used to be, and they want to sell it. By definition an SUV is based on a truck chassis, and a cross over is based on a car chassis. As we all know the new Explorer is on a car Chassis, meaning: it's a cross over. I'm a big ford fan, but you won't catch me in one of those. If I want a cross over, I'll get an Edge. That means the next SUV purchase is going to be an Expy!

 

[Rofocowboy84]

Ford is only calling it an SUV because it used to be, and they want to sell it. By definition an SUV is based on a truck chassis, and a cross over is based on a car chassis. As we all know the new Explorer is on a car Chassis, meaning: it's a cross over. I'm a big ford fan, but you won't catch me in one of those. If I want a cross over, I'll get an Edge. That means the next SUV purchase is going to be an Expy!

My next purchase will hopefully be a truck, aka a new Super Duty. But yeah, that's what I don't get, they already have a friggin cross over, so why did they have to make the Explorer one?!

 

[Newberry13]

Apparently cross overs are the most haves now. I don't get it. I would love a 2011 F250 diesel 4x4 crew cab. It's just not anywhere near my price range. :sadcry: $50,000 :weird: :hissyfit:

 

[DaveCN5]

Apparently cross overs are the most haves now. I don't get it. I would love a 2011 F250 diesel 4x4 crew cab. It's just not anywhere near my price range. :sadcry: $50,000 :weird: :hissyfit:

There lies my problem. I can't justify the $8K engine option anymore. I think if I had to get a diesel truck, I would buy an F-350 gasser and then convert it into a F-Destroked for around $10K and drive that truck into the ground. Ford + Cummins + Allisons = Truck Orgasm.

 

[Bonanno]

I hate what they have done to the Explorer..... I will now keep mine until it dies in memory.

 

[Newberry13]

. Ford + Cummins + Allisons = Truck Orgasm.

:drooling: Completely agree!