The Explorer is the first-ever four-door SUV produced by Ford. Production began in 1990 for the 1991 model, but it was only in 1996 that the Explorer reached Australia. Since then, it has survived six generations, with the January 2019 model being the most recent.
Ford produced it as both a two-door and four-door SUV, discontinuing the two-door Explorer Sport in 2003. The Sport name would later resurface but as the performance version of the four-door standard Explorer.
For the first four generations, Ford offered the Explorer as either a rear-wheel (standard) or a four-wheel drivetrain. For the fifth-generation, Ford offered the front-wheel version as the standard but reintroduced the rear-wheel Explorer in the sixth generation. It has been rebadged as the Mercury Mountaineer (1996-2010), Mazda Navajo (1990-1994), and the Lincoln Aviator (2002-2005 and 2019-present). Specially-modified Explorers are used in North America by law enforcement, EMS agencies, and fire departments.
The first-generation Explorer was Ford's way of trying to woo family buyers. So they made it larger than most SUVs, marketing it in two trim models, namely, XL and XLT. It shared some aspects with the Ford Ranger, including the front bumper, grille, headlights, and modified fenders. Under its hood was a German-built 4.0L Cologne V6 pushrod engine that produced 116kW (increased to 119kW in 1993) and 339Nm, sending power to the drive wheels through a Mazda M5OD 5-speed manual gearbox or an AL4D overdrive 4-speed automatic transmission.
Second-Generation Ford Explorer Rolls Out in the Australian Market (1996-2001)
The Explorer debuted in the Australian marketplace during its second generation after some aspects of the car were improved. It had redesigned front and rear seats, side airbags, a modified dashboard, and trim-specific paints on bumpers and grille (such as grey for the XLT and body-coloured or chromed for the Limited trim).
The Australian model’s standard layout was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive offered from 1996 to 2001, with an optional four-wheel-drive configuration available from 1996-2003. Ford constructed it based on the Ford UI platform with a short/long-arm wishbone front suspension configuration and the following powertrains coupled with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed automatic transmission:
- 3,997cc 4.0L 119kW V6 Cologne engine that produced 119kW in power and 305 Nm torque
- 4,601cc 4.6L SOHC V8 engine that attained a peak power of 178kW and a torque of 382 Nm
The trim models were the XL, XLT, and the Ford Explorer Limited.
Third Generation (2002-2005)
The third generation went on sale in 2001 as a 2002 model. Ford wanted to make the Explorer competitive in foreign markets like Australia. They figured that some changes, like ditching the Ford Ranger chassis and designing a purpose-built platform, would help. The changes included fitting with a four-wheel independent suspension even though it was a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Ford discontinued the two-door Sport, which was now developed solely as a four-door vehicle. It had the following powertrains: a 4,601 4.6L SOHC V8 used for the second generation and a 4,009cc 4.0L V6 Cologne engine now with increased power (157 kW) and torque (344 Nm), both mated to either a 5-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual gearbox.
Fourth Generation (2006-2010)
The fourth-generation Explorer came fitted with a new, stronger chassis. Tyre pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control were now standard features for all trims. In 2007, the standard equipment across all trims included an Aux input on stereo systems, XLT Appearance Package, Ironman Package, and heated windshield and leather seat package. For the 2008 Explorers, Ford added satellite navigation as an option.
The fourth-generation carried over the powertrains used in the previous production period, but this time the 5-speed manual gearbox was not available. Though the second-generation lasted until 2010, they were only available in Australia until 2008.
If you have an old Explorer that you want to restore, find used spare parts sellers from Carpart Australia. Also, if you have an Explorer you want to get rid of, we can help you sell parts or even the car as a whole.
- Eric Anyega