Over the course of six measurably different generations, the Ford Explorer has changed and evolved with the people that drive it. Starting from a trim level on other Ford models, and then, eventually becoming it’s own vehicle, the Explorer has been a staple of the Ford lineup for decades. In the late 1960’s through the majority of the 80’s, the Explorer was an option for the F100, the F250, the Bronco, and the Ranchero. As a trim option, the Explorer was primarily an appearance package, offering a selection of different paint colors and interior colors to make the vehicle stand out from the rest of the lineup. Ford’s experimentation with the Explorer as a nameplate for itself started far earlier than most know. In 1973 there was a pickup concept that placed the driver and passenger over the front axle. There was a trend at the time to try to maximize bed space without compromising overall length. Other concepts such as the Dodge Deora, unveiled in 1967, also attempted to create a similar pickup with the cabin over the front axle. Although neither ended up seeing full production, both concepts were lauded as “Futuristic Vehicles.”
In the early nineties the decision was made to break the Explorer nameplate away from a trim option. The vehicle that resulted from that change went on to completely change the American car market. The Explorer was one of the first of the modern Sport Utility Vehicles that now heavily saturate today’s market. At launch there were two different models, the Explorer, and the Explorer Sport. The Sport had a slightly shorter wheelbase, and a two door profile. The standard Explorer had a four door layout more in line with the current models, and a longer wheelbase to make the vehicle more comfortable for rear seat passengers. Not long after the introduction of the Explorer, and Explorer Sport, there came a new model; the Explorer Sport Trac. The Sport Trac, released in 2001, was the Explorer’s return to the pickup platform. It shared the same updated body style of the Explorer Sport of the same vintage, but rather than an enclosed storage space befitting that of an SUV, the Sport Trac had a short pickup bed. Not only did it have the bed however, it actually utilized a plastic and fiberglass mixture for the outer box sides. This made the bed of the Sport Trac resistant to damage from door dings and the like, as well as being nearly immune to rusting out in hight salt winter environments.
Over the course of the now six different generations of Explorer there have been two fairly distinct mindsets. The early years were geared towards convenience, and off-road capability. While the convenience never changed, for the 2011 model year the Explorer went through a redesign intended to lead the market yet again. With this update the Explorer moved from a vehicle tailored for off-road adventure, and into the concrete jungle. Ford’s market research noticed a trend, while people loved the convenience of the Explorer’s go anywhere, do anything mentality, the vehicles were rarely seeing anything other than pavement. This redesign of the Explorer also became wildly popular with many different states as a Police vehicle, it quickly became a favorite whether it was Local, State, or Federal Law Enforcement. While there is still plenty of that original adventure minded DNA in the current Explorer, it’s purpose has distinctly shifted to being the vehicle that can take on any challenge, from the rigors of a daily commute, to the drop off line, or soccer practice, any lifestyle, the Explorer has a model to fit.
