Ford Explorer 4WD.
Ford Australia
had been making do with the Ford Maverick -
a rebadged Nissan Patrol GQ -
as its full-size four wheel drive.
From late 1996 it has its own Ford Explorer 4x4 (right).
It's a bit softer, or you could say less crude, than
the Patrol / Maverick with independent front suspension.
Dual air-bags, anti-lock brakes
and air-conditioning are standard.
The five speed automatic gearbox is an interesting option for a 4x4 -
it could be a first.
Prices start just a touch over the magic 40K at 42K (Aus)
and go all the way up to 60K.
Right is a Ford Explorer Ltd at
the 1997 Melbourne Motor Show,
it looks like a good way to turn an adequate four wheel drive
into a boulevard cruiser.
Ford Explorer 1996.
Ford Explorer 4x4 went on sale in Australia in late 1996.
Manufacturer's figures:
- station wagon, 5-seats, 4-doors, dual air-bags, ABS
- loa: 4788mm, width: 1874mm, height: 1717mm
- approach: 32, departure: 23
- turning radius: 6.2m (kerb)
- weight: 1922kg - 2018kg (unladen),
GVM: 2440kg - 2522kg
- XL and XLT - 4.0L V6 OHV
- 3997cc, petrol, V6, efi, OHV
- bore: 100.3mm, stroke: 84.3mm, c.r.: 9.0:1
- transmission: 5m
- Limited - 4.0L V6 SOHC
- grnd clearance: 195mm (automatic ride control)
- 4011cc, petrol, V6, efi, SOHC
- bore: 100.4mm, stroke: 84.4mm, c.r.: 9.7:1
- transmission: 5a
- 2-speed transfer case (1.00:1 hi, 2.48:1 lo),
control trac automatically locks drive to front wheels
on wheel-slip
- suspension: indep'-coil/live-leaf, brakes: disc/disc ABS
Limited has Automatic Ride Control which adjust the ride
height and performs load levelling.
- tyres: P235/75 R 15; fuel tank: 80L
- Notes: the bore and stroke of the SOHC engine
really are 0.1mm greater than the figures for the OHV engine.
Air conditioning - standard
- rrp: XL from 42K (Aus), XLT from 47K, Limited from 60K
Go to the
Explorer,
1998,
earlier Explorer-I
and
Ford
pages
