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Comments
Wheels-down towing was possible before in 1996-2000 automatic Explorer 4X4 4 doors by purchasing a $30 computer chip. The ST does not use that transfer case and instead uses the same one found in a 2000 Ranger 4X4 auto. I have verified this through various sources.
To make it towable, you'll have to buy a driveshaft/transfer case disconnect kit available from a few aftermarket sources, most notably RemCo (remcotowing.com). The kit cost is around $500.
I just scrolled back to #433 where you relate your conversation with the ST brand manager and the factory rebates honoring the $590 price for the hard tonneau. Missed it before. Is this something that Ford will automatically process to pre-availability ST buyers or is it something that has to be requested from Ford(e.g.:him)? Any more info you can share on this topic would be great! Thanks.
cwrausch> Don't feel bad Im in the same boat as you I think. But I feel we will benefit from waiting so long...... I hope......
beech303> Does it solve the problem of the shimmy of the steering at low rpm?
bennb> Hey you complain about gas prices. A few months ago we were spending $2.00 at the pumps for regular unleaded in las vegas. Give it some time it will come down. Really it only amounts to about $5 more per tank.......
Thanks
I too have wind noise on the highway. I hate it and it is annoying. I feel like I am in a wind storm when it is perfectly calm out.
Anyone have any input on my post #469 re: rough ride? Thanks Tom
In the "whole scheme of life" this is probably irrelevant, BUT, it's really starting to bug me. Now, I don't mean to offend anyone and remember.... this is only my opinion, but geeeez!, people, where is your sense of aesthetics.
What on earth possesses people to buy the same b-o-r-i-n-g colors for their vehicles year after year? I read or heard somewhere that the most popular colors for all cars, trucks, SUV's, etc., were (in no particular order):
White
Black
Red (non-metallic) Silver
Sure 'nuf (from just casual observations), I'll be damned if they weren't right. Try the test yourself the next time you're on the road. There are tons of vehicles wearing these colors. HOWEVER, the above 4 colors have to be the most unexciting, boring, unimaginative, worn out colors I can think of.
What I can't figure out is, do people:
[1] just NOT CARE what color their vehicle is.
[2] see so many others buying those 4 colors that they have some 'need' to follow like sheep and be part of the crowd.
[3] spend $25 - $30K for a color SOMEONE ELSE will like (when they sell the vehicle).
WOW! apparently so. The above 4 colors are what color-blind people would be happy with, since they can't help but see mostly just shades of gray. Well, what do you think White, Black and Silver are? --- they're shades of gray. Red is the only stand out in this group.
In a recent post it was reported that after July 2000 the Mandarin Gold color will not be offered on the ST any more (replaced by Silver). This bites!, as it was my favorite color being offered for 2001.
Sure, the Mandarin Gold color was loud, flashy and different, BUT, it was also unique, bold, colorful and stood out from the pack. Does anybody ever consider that ANY unique, stylish, sharp, "new-look" type vehicle (like the ST) DESERVES and looks SO much better in a color that complements its styling? Apparently not!
In fact, to me, when you choose one of the "boring 4" (especially White or Black), it tends to blur the styling lines of a vehicle, reducing it to a one-dimensional piece of metal on wheels.
Well, it's a sad day for all of us who
like something other than "boring vanilla" in our lives. The 'exciting' colors manufacturers will offer in the future will certainly continue to dwindle as long as the mass public has such bland tastes in color.
P.S.:
O.K., the other boss color for the ST (and my 2nd favorite) is ISLAND BLUE - those of you who chose this color are "doing justice" to the ST also. Hmmmm, I wonder when Ford will eliminate this color???
Shame on you Ford --- at least you should have kept the M.G. color for the entire 2001 model year instead of wimping out in mid-year. Brrraaack! Brrraaack! (sounds a chicken makes).
The ST rides great and is legions ahead of almost anything else out there ...
Also, for those of you that ordered a tonneau cover, delete it off of your order. They still don't have a company to make it and don't know when it will be available. The newer models being built next month will have them but it won't fit on ours. This is something that the dealers are not telling us. I will know more on Friday when they call me about my truck.
I feel that the dealerships need to talk to the plant more often then they would know this type of information.
GG
Is up! You can post messages in the forum, post events on the calender, and post pictures of you and your Explorer Sport Trac for all to see. Come to http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/explorersporttracclub
to join! or e-mail the founder at beau1@mailcity.com !
PEACE
Joe
replaced PS twice per TSB instructions, also bled and refilled system multiple times, vibration returned within 24hrs every time (seems like a pressure bleed-off or leak, but no fluid loss or staining)
also, I was travelling to south texas at the time, and rarely visited the same station twice, got similar fuel loads at two diferent brand stations in 2 different towns.
Have had the S-Crew for 250 miles now,took off dealer's lot (has slider, not power rear window), complete with SnugCap hard cover, looks sharp, drives great, same quality buid as my other F150s - must be the KC plant has their act together.
Yes the wind noise is annoying and very loud.
The sport tracs being made next month will have covers available but they will not fit the trucks made from January to June. I hate that because I really wanted that certain cover.
GG
1. Is the Prairie Tan leather really tan, or what? Every web site has a different color shown, including a weird grey. Anyone have it who can describe it?
2. Does anyone have the Deep Wedgewood Blue? That's what I've ordered, but have not ever seen it in person. Is it cool?
3. How is the factory CD player and sound system? Is the changer okay, or should I go aftermarket?
4. How do you get the chairs, swiss army knife and other gifts from Ford? Is that from ordering one or what?
A peanut is neither a pea, nor a nut... Discuss.
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-t7MiKIJ1pYl/Auto.asp
Their subwoofer page is blank but sporttrac420's owners group page has some dialogue about custom options.
The "Visteon" 6 CD changer that Ford offers is a very cool self contained unit with 3 second memory for anti-skip & should be great for anyone who doesn't "need" a subwoofer. Since it doesn't have preamp outputs its more complicated & impacts system fidelity to add a sub, or an aux amp for high end component speakers.
Check out the CD player at this link.
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-t7MiKIJ1pYl/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=3&g=300&I=576CD6&o=M&a=1
Has anyone taken out the door speakers yet? Crutchfield's fit guide lists 6x8's (same as what came in my current Ford) as a replacement option. I installed adapter plates to fit 6-1/2" rounds in my Contour which I plan to move to the ST the week it arrives. The 6-1/2" rounds were a tight fit (did some modifications to get em in) so I would recommend 5-1/4" speakers with adapter plates if you're going round. I'll be sure to report on my install.
As good as the stock speakers sound, I've listened both ST radios, high quaility aftermarket speakers are the best way to get the enhance nearly any stock system. If I didn't already own an amp, plate eq & 8" sub, I'd probably go with Ford's (Visteon's) Changer & upgrade the speakers to keep things simple, cost effective & out of the way. The 8" sub just adds a little more bass fill.
The Edmunds ST colors are the worst representations going. Ford's site is fair, very cool concept to see the vehicle in all available options, even though the shades are a bit off. My choice, Estate Green is way off on the web & in Ford's ST brochure.
mandarin_g,
Saw a Mandarin Gold 2 door Sport yesterday, It looked sharp, loud, but sharp. As it pulled in to the lunch spot I was hitting, my curiosity was in overdrive to see if the ownwer's look could "pull off" the color. Believe me She could, beautiful & in a business suit. The color is definitely, & thankfully for yesterday, a conversation starter.
As rjkunkle mentioned in 449, the 2001 Sport rims must be a hot commodity since this 2001 2 door Sport had last year's style rims (5 teardrop slots with chrome center cap) with the Premium Sport Group. All pictures I've seen show the same Premium rims as the ST.
Anybody else see last year's rims on a 2001 Sport or ST?
You've been making all of these postings about how long you've been waiting and how much you want one and then when one finally arrives you decline to buy it? Doesn't make sense to me especially when there doesn't appear to be any firm information about when that cover will be made and the date keeps getting pushed back further and further.
Why wouldn't you want to drive off in an ST now that you specifically ordered and drop a cover on, if and when they actually make them?
As the old saying goes, a sport trac in the garage is worth two that have been ordered but don't have build dates yet...
Any of you owners have any complaints?
Here is a link to a Tonneau cover for the ST http://www.astro-cap.com/
We have a black 4x4 with sport package, comfort group and conv group. We love the ST.
Think it might look really cool with a black fiberglass topper.
Your darn right I declined to purchase the same ST as I ordered. I really didn't belive it was my truck. They ordered it I think hoping that I would buy it as-is. Strangly it wasn't held for me but was sitting up in the front lot for any lead footed test driver to begin the pile of metal shavings in the oil pan. It was hard to walk away from it true, but if I wanted a pickup truck with an open bed I would have bought one. If I wanted a closed end compartment I would have bought an newer explorer. No the Sporty with the tonneau cover from Ford is what I want. After market covers are begining to surface. Like the one from astro cap which looks like fresh snow fell on the original cover dosen't really look good to me. Maybe others will come but I like the design Ford will have on thier Sport Trac's. And not to mention the opening price which im locked in at.
re: greenwade
It seems you would have like to wait until the top come with the Sport Trac but like so many decided to buy as-is off the lot. If you even really do own a Sport Trac. Im wondering? Your comments are conflicting. "Ford dosen't have a company to make them" Haven't heard of the Budd Co. yet? Then you say "newer ones will have them but it won't fit the older ones". Then in post #495 you say "could not get a company to build them" then you say "next month the Sport Trac's will have them". Well which is it do they or don't they? A number of past posts note trucks wil be produced from factory in July with the covers. One post even had a part number off the counter. So what is it greenwade? Maybe your now wishing after the newness of your own Sport Trac has begin to ware off (if you even own one) your wishing you would have waited until the top comes with the Truck........Just a bit of advice my friend..... "everything comes to him who waits , if he waits till it comes"
I don't have my truck and have been waiting since February 19. Wouldn't you be frustrated if you waited four months. Originally I had the cover on my order and on May 11 I decided to cancel it because each month they told me they the covers will be made next month. RIGHT! I don't know who to believe anymore.
Someone from the Ford plant called me this morning about my truck and they are trying to get a VIN number on it. They said maybe tonight it will be selected. I asked them again if the covers being made next month would fit the truck being made now. They said yes but they cannot guarantee that they will be available in July. Go figure! I'm not getting a straight answer from them. Sounds fishy. I will know Tuesday next week about my truck and will ask again about the cover.
GG
Did you get your truck yet? I'm curious to see if they will really come in sooner. We keep getting information that's not legitimate from Ford.
gg
lasvegan: What difference does it make NOT to have the tonneau cover since it is simply an add on anyway? It's just like the cargo cage that can be simply installed at the Kentucky plant, by the dealer or even by the customer. Of course Ford has yet to actually come out with the part; however, wouldn't you rather have your ST and wait on the part? By the time you actually do get it, the ST will be a commonly seen vehicle.
For the rest of us waiting on the tonneau, I'm actually glad that Ford is taking its time to make sure that they have the best fit and best quality tonneau instead of rushing one out that will undoubtedly have leakage problems. I say, be patient because once the product is ready it will be the best quality. And, as a side note, all manufacturers reserve the right to make product changes before delivery and as customers we also reserve the right to decline the purchase of said product.
Still enjoying our ST and the quality. The ride is by far the best/smoothest of any truck or SUV. No product can be perfect because we as people are not perfect but Ford has proven to manufacture dependable products and will make good on any defects so why worry?
is it and does everyone need it?
Thanks Mel
t,and does everyone need it?
Also loosen the turnbuckles BEFORE removing tail gate rail and cross braces. Sheared the plastic corner brace. Remember the bed and the fenders are plastic composite; rails are aluminum - they expand a lot in the sun.
Need corner braces. Who makes the tonneau cover for Ford? Dealer does not have replacement parts or numbers to order with.
Check this link for K&N filter info. People who use em swear by them (performance & reliability), never heard a bad word.
Purchase cost & cleaning (instead of typical disposable paper elements) are the only negatives I can thing of.
I wouldn't say everyone Needs a K&N filter but for the person who goes the extra mile with Mobil 1 (or any other synthetic oil), the K&N air filter is just as vital IMHO.
http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/ford/suv/performance_product_ford_suv.htm
The Sport Trac (and the 2001 2-door Explorer Sport) offer the part-time 4WD system found on the Ranger. This is a big mistake on Ford's part. The market is moving towards full-time/on-demand/AWD systems. All the new GM pickups and SUVs offer it, as does the Dakota and Durango. Why Ford removed Control Trac from the Explorer Sport is a mystery, other than to save money.
For those out there who are not familiar with Control Trac vs the 4WD used in the Sport Trac/Explorer Sport/Ranger, here's the difference:
Control Trac offers the following driving modes:
4WD Auto
This is the normal driving mode. It's always in 2WD, until tire slippage occurs, then the 4WD automatically engages. This is great for transitional traction conditions, as well as moderate snow/off-road conditions.
Part-time 4WD High
Same as is in the Sport Trac, etc.
Part-time 4WD Low
Same as in the Sport Trac, etc.
The Sport Trac, etc. offers (in place of the 4WD Auto) a 2WD mode for normal driving.
I've got a '98 Explorer (with Control Trac) and a '91 Explorer with part-time 4WD, and believe me, the '98 with Control Trac is a much more desirable system. I'll never go back to a part-time (only) 4WD system.
If Ford decides to go back to part-time 4WD with the all-new 2001 Explorer 4-door, I shall become Ford-less with my next vehicle purchase.
Bob
Bob
rsholland:
The ST comes with 5 full size tires. With the Sport package you do get a 15" tires instead of a upgraded 16" tire.
wpoe
I believe the reason that the ST does not have it is that the ST is supposed to be a simpler more rugged type of vehicle without some of the 'frills' and complex systems of the 5 door Explorer. Remember how the off road purists complained when companies first came out with electonic push button 4x4 systems instead of the lever on the floor type? They said it wasn't a true 4x4 system, they would not buy one, would break too often, not as rugged etc.
I think Ford did the right thing by putting the more complex and more expensive system in the luxury Explorers and put the simpler, less complex system from the Ranger into the ST.
I owned a Ranger with the same system the ST has and never had any problems with it and liked the performance of it.
I waited until the 5000/k before having it changed. That is what the owners manual recommends. Has any one else been waiting or are most having it done at the 3000/k.
By the way...I love my st.
I too am getting the "shimmy" at low speeds. My gas cap is not touching...and I am glad I omited the sun roof after hearing all the problems.
I also moved the rear view mirror up and it has made a great improvement in my visibility.
Thanks for the tip! Thanks to all for your postings,glad to hear all the positive responses, but the truck speaks for its self! Great vehicle.
Bob
I waited until the 5000/k before having it changed. That is what the owners manual recommends. Has any one else been waiting or are most having it done at the 3000/k.
By the way...I love my st.
I too am getting the "shimmy" at low speeds. My gas cap is not touching...and I am glad I omited the sun roof after hearing all the problems.
I also moved the rear view mirror up and it has made a great improvement in my visibility.
Thanks for the tip! Thanks to all for your postings,glad to hear all the positive responses, but the truck speaks for its self! Great vehicle.
Bob
Ok..very little wind noise at speed, when I do hear it I just turn up Stevie Ray Vaughn in the CD player and ALL noise goes away. No creaks ,rattles or anything shaking thus far. Smooth quiet ride. The paint job is wonderful! Gas cap does not touch. Slight shimmy at first when pulling away but that seems to be diminishing..not a concern. I do not feel this thing shift..5 speed auto was a surprise...rpm at 68 mph is about 2200. Interior is roomy..ESPECIALLY the rear seat! That's 1 reason I bought it! Try to get in the rear door of a Frontier...hope you're not too overweight..that door opens to about 30 degrees..go see what I mean. You may have to diet to get in. I sit up high, rear wheel drive, good power, auto trans, AND...it FITS in my garage!! My neighbor has a new F-150 in the drive way..never covered..I wasn't going to do that.
The first week I had it I felt as though I was driving a Ferrari with all the looks this thing got. Coming back to my truck after lunch, 2 guys are eyeballing it..I proceed to show them what it has and they can't believe what's included for the price.."an electrical outlet...in the cargo bed!!!..a POWER REAR WINDOW!!!..OH MAN!" This stuff is still happening..someone always looking and pointing or asking about it when I'm stopped long enough to talk.
It's fun to drive, comfortable in front OR back and I still can carry my kids' BMX dirt bikes in the bed or on the roof..GET ONE! keep you posted.
To the person with the squeaking seat: My driver's seat squeaks like an old rocking chair as well. I'd be interested in knowing whether you had a successful repair. I'm afraid it can't be fixed.
To the person who noticed that the headliner has not trim piece: Mine is the same way.
Incidently, for those interested, mine has the "shimmy" at very low speeds, and the gas door interferes with the opening. I have not, however, experienced a lead in the sunroof despite torrential rains. Knock on wood.
Some of the most capable 4WDs in the world have full-time 4WD standard: Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Grand Cherokees, Land Cruisers, and Ford's very own heavy-duty Expedition. All Ford is doing is perpetuating a myth that full-time 4WD is incompatible with rugged use. It just ain't so.
Ford, in my opinion, took a step backwards by "downgrading" the 4WD system to part-time. Even though the "Electronic 4WD" part-time system is rugged and durable, it's not state-of-the-art as far as 4WD systems go. This is just another example of how the consumer suffers because Ford wants to save a few bucks. At the very least, Control Trac should be available as an option.
Bob