When did Ford change the body of the Explorer?

The three-door Explorer differed slightly, sharing the XL and Eddie Bauer trims with the five-door. The XL was distinguished by a black grille (chrome optional) with steel wheels, while the XLT offered a chrome grille and alloy wheels; the Eddie Bauer offered alloy wheels and two-tone paintwork. Sharing the features of the XLT, the outdoors-themed Eddie Bauer was the highest-range trim. The first-generation Explorer followed the rest of the Ford light truck line in trim nomenclature, marketing a base-level XL trim and higher-range XLT trim. A front split-bench seat was offered as an option (dependent on trim), expanding seating to six passengers. In what would become a design feature of the model line, the B-pillar and D-pillars were blacked out.

When did Ford change the body of the Explorer?

For 2004, a rear-bucket seat configuration became an option for higher-trim models, including a second center console (reducing seating to six). The 2002 Ford Explorer introduced a design theme adopted by multiple Ford vehicles, including the 2003 Ford Expedition, the 2004 Ford Freestar, and the 2005 Ford Freestyle wagon and Five Hundred sedan. The 5.0 L V8 of the previous generation was retired, with the Explorer adopting a 239 hp 4.6 L Modular V8 as its optional engine (shared with the Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis); the Explorer was the final V8-powered American Ford to adopt the 4.6 L engine. As with the previous generation, four-wheel disc brakes were standard with an anti-lock braking system. The third-generation Explorer (design code U152) marked a major change in the model line, ending chassis commonality with the Ford Ranger. Along with tuning the vehicle for higher-speed European driving, Ford also benchmarked the model line against the Lexus RX300 and the (then-in-development) Volkswagen Touareg.

Powertrain

The Eddie Bauer and Limited returned as the highest-trim versions of the Explorer, with the Eddie Bauer distinguished by tan lower-body trim; the Limited was styled with a body-color exterior. Offered on nearly all versions, a folding third-row seat was offered as either standard equipment or as an option (expanding seating to seven passengers). Several functional changes were brought to the Explorer as part of the rear suspension redesign. Proportioned nearly identically the same as the previous two generations, the third-generation Explorer was an inch shorter, two inches wider, and two inches longer in wheelbase. From 2003 through 2005, the Ford 5R55 5-speed automatic transmission (previously optional for the 4.0 L V6) was paired with the 4.0 L V6 and the 4.6 L V8. While still retaining body-on-frame construction, the U152 chassis was developed specifically for the third-generation Explorer (and its Lincoln-Mercury counterparts).

On three-door Explorers, four-passenger seating was carried over (though with a body increased over two inches in width), with front bucket seats and a split-folding rear bench. The interior of the Explorer was fitted largely with all-new trim (though carrying over the dashboard in its entirety from the online casino Ranger/Bronco II), with model-specific door panels and seats. The three-door body shared a similar roofline as its five-door counterpart, fitted with pop-out rear quarter windows (instead of roll-down windows) and a forward-sloping C-pillar. Four-wheel-drive front axles were the TTB ("Twin Traction Beam") Dana 35 with some Dana 44-spec components; 4×2 models shared Twin I-Beam components with the Ranger. During the first two generations, the model line included a three-door wagon (directly replacing the Bronco II). Currently in its sixth generation, the Explorer has featured a five-door wagon body style since its 1991 introduction.

• In the early 1990s, SUVs transitioned into alternatives to station wagons, leading to a decline in demand for two-door SUVs.
• For MY2018, a second facelift was applied and the 2.3L turbo-four was uprated to 280 hp.
• Added mid-year 2021, the Timberline trim is based on the mid-level XLT, and adds unique heathered cloth and ActiveX (leatherette)-trimmed seating surfaces, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior and interior styling details.
• Offered on nearly all versions, a folding third-row seat was offered as either standard equipment or as an option (expanding seating to seven passengers).
• Rear-wheel drive remained standard, with part-time four-wheel drive offered as an option, and all-wheel drive was introduced as an option.

It was at the time the only version to feature a combined 4WD/EcoBoost option (an FWD version is not being offered for the Sport trim; 2016+ facelifted models offered the 2.3• EcoBoost with 4WD), allowing its MPG to average between 16/city and 22/highway. The fifth-generation Explorer was the first-ever vehicle to be equipped with dual rear inflatable safety belts. The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) includes a heavy-duty dedicated cooling system to allow the four-wheel drive system to supply continuous non-stop torque delivery to all four wheels indefinitely, without overheating. The fifth generation Explorer features blacked-out A, B, and D-pillars, sculpted body work, stepped style headlamps and tail lamps, and a variant of the corporate three-bar design with upper and lower perforated mesh work. For the 2007 model year, the Ford Special Vehicle Team built the Sport Trac Adrenalin concept with a supercharged version of the 4.6 L Modular V8, with 390 hp (291 kW), and featuring 21-inch (533 mm) wheels. Revised front headrests, which improve protection in rear end collisions, were also standard for the 2009 model year.

Though powertrain options remained the same, the FPIU received an upgraded electrical system, a new front fascia with LED reflector headlights, a new rear fascia, and an unlock button on the trunk. For the 2016 model year, the FPIU was refreshed along with the rest of the Explorer line. Polk declared the FPIU the most popular police vehicle, based on 2013 U.S. sales figures.