2001 Ford Explorer Sport review from North America

Driver door lock/latch assembly at 81k, $40.

Small leak above rearmost passenger side window.

Rear wiper motor before I bought it, $50.

Front wiper nozzle plugged at 75k, blew out with air for free.

Motor clatters a little on start up, much quieter since I switched to synthetic oil.

Fifth gear syncro is worn in tranny and rattles a little.

Electric 4x4 stuck sometimes, converted to manual shift transfer case.

Huge interior, tons of room for even the biggest people. Even the rear seat is comfortable, also a little harder to get to as most 2 door vehicles are. A/C and heater work exceptionally well. Controls are all within easy reach and not confusing.

The 4.0L has enough power to be fun to drive yet still yield excellent economy. Ride is a little stiff, but it's a truck, should be that way. Manual tranny is a blast to drive, although it shifts more like a truck.

I bought this vehicle with one goal, build a off-road Jeep killing monster that behaved well on the street and got decent mileage. Happy to report it has met all expectations.

I drove it a week after buying to get the feel of it. Found gas mileage to average at 22, with lows of 17 in the city and 24-29 on the hwy. These figures are possible since the Sport is a lighter 2 door with V6 and 5 spd manual.

It was then rolled into the shop to be chopped up and rebuilt. Several months later it came back out with 33" Interco MT's, rear spring over axle conversion, straight Dana 30 front axle with coil suspension, custom bumpers, rock sliders, skid plates and guards over all vulnerable components. Axles have 4.56 gears and auto lockers installed.

After the build up it weighs 4600lb. The handling is better than stock, I can take most corners at double the posted speed. Fuel economy is still superb for a vehicle of this spec, 15 city/19hwy. Still fast enough to stomp the kids in their rice that always want to race. It's a real eye catcher and turns heads everywhere.