Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The Ford Explorer Sport Trac, a 5-door model with a 4.0 L SOHC 12 valve V-6 engine rated at 205 hp (153 kW) and 242 ft·lbf (328 N·m) of torque, was newly introduced in the 2002 model year and redesigned with a similar appearance to its big brother, the Ford Expedition. It shared the same code U6 for rear-wheel drive, U7 for four-wheel drive, and U8 for all-wheel drive in the 5th and 6th positions of the VIN of the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. This generation was equipped with a third row seat, giving its passenger capacity to seven, and could be ordered with either a Mazda 5-speed manual or the 5-speed Ford C3-derived automatic transmission. As the 2002-2004 models saw stability control as a featured option, Ford added AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control system as standard for the 2005 model.
Ford installed a fully independent rear suspension in the 5-door Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer of this generation, but not available in the 3-door Sport model - which used the non-independent "live axle" rear suspension from the previous model year Explorers. The switch to independent rear suspension was due to the Ford Explorer's reputation for well-publicized vehicle rollovers and resulting fatalities with the non-independent rear suspension, and the commonly used Firestone tires which Ford judged to be defective.
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