So what does everyone think of the redesign? More pics at www.fordvehicles.com

 

Hey, that looks just like... an Explorer.

 

Not real crazy about the way the headlight droops down into the lower fascia, but the new grille is all right -- kind of a cross between the Sport-Trac concept and the Mercury Mariner (?).

 

Its nice!!

 

I'm not so crazy with how it looks but the avalible 292hp/300lb. ft., 24 valve 4.6 with a 6-speed auto sounds nice.

 

Yea I noticed the headlight too... Looks like it's been punched in the eye or something. Grill looks more like a mut between the old 1st generation Exploder grills and a minature F250 grill. To me anyway.

 

Im assuming they can't be had with a stick?

Adrianspeeder

 

Nope, no "stick"......
There is always someone that wants a "hand shaker" as we call'em in the business. Apparently the marketing gurus at big Ford cannot justify
them due to the very low demand.
Nice fleet Adrian!

 

Thank you, and yes I will take a handshaker over a slushbox unless it is a VERRRRY good deal. Like the one I got on my diesel or OJ.

Didn't expect the new exploder to have a stick, but it saddens me to see that even the one fiddy is no longer to be had in the same configuration as dads 97. Wanted to trade it in, but it will remain in the fleet for now.

Adrianspeeder

 

So, I see they didn't change it...

New front clip, and a detuned Aviator engine... and mirrors.

 

Looks a little toyotaesque to me. With the way the fender and the light meet. The droop is a bit funky too.

 

The Aviator has the 32 valve 4.6.

 

looks nice!!

 

This is one of the worse new model year launches we've had in years.
Having alot of fit finish issues right now. Its funny how these new young
engineers design this stuff and the changes they make dont work or quite
fit like it does on the computer. Then they come out to the line and scratch
there heads. When Ford hires these guys/gals and invest so much in them, they should make the come out and work on the line for a couple years. Nothing like hands on experience.
Funny story.........I shoot a few screws in the GOP (full front piece that runs across the front of the Explorer). Alot of the front end components attach to this, including the headlights you'll have been mentioning. We'll they are having fit problems with the headlights to fender matching up. While the line is down, a couple younger engineers are down there by me and have a head light with them checking the fits with it. One wants to loosen the front fender bolts to see if he can adjust the fit a little better. I hand him my cordless drill Iam using. He puts the socket on the bolt and tightens the bolt down more. Fulls around with the drill some more and does the same. Then he looks at me and asks how do you get this drill to run backwards...................I walk over while he's still holding it and push in the reverse button and kind of in a "engineering way" explain to him how the button works. Haha. Man, I am thinking these guys that are helping design our new products cant even use a drill.......sheeeesh!!!!

 

I never was a fan of SUVs.