2000 Ford Explorer: The History of Ford Explorers

Ford came up with its first Explorer model in 1991; thus, we can say that it has seen three decades so far. However, it still serves the purpose that it offered when it first came out for its debut in March 1990. The first-generation Explorers came out as two-doors and four-doors sport. Here we will focus on the 2000 Ford Explorer.

It was a great hit with its large cargo capacity, six people seating capacity, better interior, and safety protocols. Ford Explorer reached its peak by the time the 2000 Ford Explorer was released; it had hit sales of 225,157 units by that time. Ford recently released its Explorer for 2022, which will reach the dealerships by the end of this year, and it is high time we look at how the Ford Explorer has improved itself over time.

1991-1994 Debut; A Massive Hit:

The first Explorer came out of Ford’s Ranger pickup trucks; however, its dashboard and body panels ahead of A-pillars were similar to those pickups. We may call it a combination of Ford Rangers pickup truck and a Ford Bronco SUV of 1989. Nonetheless, the two-door Explorer was 2.2 inches wider and 12.6 inches longer than the Bronco. Contrarily, the four-door Explorer added to the length by about 22.4 inches.

It had a V6 engine that produced 155 hp energy and 220-pound foot torque, which was reasonable for that time. In the later years of the first-generation Explorer, the torque was the same, but the energy production increased by five hp. It had a rear-wheel standard drive, but drivers had the option to shift to a four-wheel drive.

A Japan-based manufacturer released his version of Explorer. But the Ford Explorer didn’t let people look back; hence, the 1991-1994 Explorer was a massive hit!

1995-2001 Explorers; Bars going Higher:

The second-generation Ford Explorers were better suited for the road than the first-generation. 1995 model achieved an aerodynamic design that was more refined. It included short and long-arm front suspension, a six-disc CBD player, rack-and-pinion steering, and an integrated message center. It offered additional safety with four-wheel discs with antilock braking. Height-adjustable head restraints, adjustable front safety belt, and a child-safety seat. Here is a 1995 Ford Explorer parts diagram to make the features clearer:

The new design added distances to Ford Explorer and Rangers. This time, engines were more powerful and geared up with 5 liters capacity. The engines could produce energy of 210 horsepower with 280 pound-feet of torque. People got an option to go on with the old V6 engine in 1997, and above all, they got the option of the five-speed automatic transmission, the most modern gearbox of that time.

More Options in the Explorer

The 1998 model had temperature control and anti-theft options available. 1999 added other amazing options like the front side airbags, second-generation airbags, and a reverse sensing system. The 2000 Ford Explorer offered the release of the Sport Trac and redesigned the two-door model. It had great road manners, and millions of 2000 Explorers were soon on the highways.

At the peak of Ford’s glory; however, news of various Explorer Firestone tires bursting because of the separation of tread made into the news when Sport Trac was about to come out. It was a huge shock to Firestone and Explorer market. It closed the second-generation manufacturing with 415,921 units sold.

2002-2010 Ford Explorer:

Sadly, it is the era of downfalls for Ford Explorers. It was more car-like and family-oriented than before. The rear suspensions were added, improved the drive, and accommodated more people. It had an all-aluminum V8 engine that produced 240 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. One could get 7300 pounds extra towing capacity by adding another V8 engine. In 2005, the sales went down by forty-five percent as the Ford Explorer bid farewell to its two-door configuration and manual features. It was the era of crossover cars!

The fourth-generation Explorer came with a tougher frame and an engine with 290 horsepower and 300-pound feet of torque. It has an improved interior and suspension. Besides more improvements, Ford Explorers’ sales were quickly declining, reaching 52,190 sales by 2009 because it was no longer meeting the new era’s needs.

2011-2022 Ford Explorer; The King is Back:

Ford finally learned the lesson and started competing with the crossover cars by producing Taurus Sedan-based Explorer in its fifth-generation release. The sales boosted again as Explorer sold over 135700 units in 2011. Have a look at the 2012 Ford Explorer parts diagram to evaluate the difference from its 1995 counterpart:

2017 model was a hit that sold around 271,130 units in a year. In short, the latest developments have made Explorer America’s best-selling three-row SUV again. Throughout these years, Ford has been introducing the latest technical developments to its SUV, making it top the sales list yearly.

In 2022, you get collision-mitigation braking, built-in Wi-Fi, automated parallel parking, rain-sensing wipers, Android Auto and Apple Car play that keep you safe and entertained throughout the drive!

You can also purchase an owner’s manual or a repair manual on the secondary market to help ensure you take the best care of your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the life expectancy of the 2000 Explorer?

200,000 miles

What is the Ford Explorer Reliability Rating?

4 out of 5

What is the horsepower of the 2000 Ford Explorer?

160-215HP