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New Member starting my research !!

Extreme4x4

New Member
Messages
2
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Payson, AZ
Vehicle
2013 Ford Explorer Sport
#1
Howdy folks. Gloria here. We are all big motorheads in our family. My 2013 Explorer Sport was bought new in 12/12 (there were only 9 Sports in AZ at that time) and has 160K trouble free miles until now (needs a driveshaft because the boot cracked and leaked out the grease). Literally nothing except maintenance and wear items and the A/C compressor.

Anyway, I'm thinking of buying a lightly used ST. Love the look and the drivetrain seems bulletproof like my Sport. Love the RWD/AWD (we get snow). Am just starting my research of the different years and what you get or don't get and problems of the different years. I know the Covid ridiculousness caused issues, so am going into this with my eyes wide open................ but we do a LOT of research. So, I look forward to spending time on the page in the research phase, and after I purchase.

Any helpful hints will be appreciated. Oh, and I will be driving it hard just like I did my Sport. I always wear out the edges of my tires (used to autocross my Mustang GT that I build, in my younger days), but take excellent care of my vehicles (yes, I wrench).
 

Messages
297
Reactions
176
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
#2
Mismatches in the included trim? That is a per-vehicle-basis, unfortunately.
The deletes are noted on the window sticker, which you should be able to get ahold of.
Some deletes can be re-added easily, and some not. (IIRC some 2022s-2023s didn't have the second row temp controls, but some dealers popped them in for you later, and others did it themselves)

Things that were definitely removed over time:
4th Rear Differential bolt , removed in the 2021 era, most of us augment the problem with a brace (Easily seen by kneeling down, shown here)
360 camera (There is a module missing - if you want 360 cam dont buy one that's been deleted)
Front seat massagers (Same as above, but some like the non-massager seats more)
Digital displays above each front temperature control to show the temp setting (ie; 71* F)
4G WiFi - though I'd pay to have mine removed. :LOL: (The module is missing)

My apologies for not remembering more of them, as there are definitely more issues, but they are noted around here
 

Messages
297
Reactions
176
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
#3
As for tossin it in corners?
HR springs
Rear sway bar (Front is ok, but the rear is a must)
Strut Tower Brace (I can bend the stamped one bare-handed without effort - WHY Ford?)
Subrframe spacers
Bigger rubbers
(More things, ask UNBROKEN, he's got a list)

Winter? A lot of people like tossing on the Police Interceptor 18" steel wheels for winter, as our calipers fit in them and you can have "work shoes" and "dancin shoes" that swap out with some lug wrench work
 

OP
E

Extreme4x4

New Member
Messages
2
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Payson, AZ
Vehicle
2013 Ford Explorer Sport
Thread Starter #4
As for tossin it in corners?
HR springs
Rear sway bar (Front is ok, but the rear is a must)
Strut Tower Brace (I can bend the stamped one bare-handed without effort - WHY Ford?)
Subrframe spacers
Bigger rubbers
(More things, ask UNBROKEN, he's got a list)

Winter? A lot of people like tossing on the Police Interceptor 18" steel wheels for winter, as our calipers fit in them and you can have "work shoes" and "dancin shoes" that swap out with some lug wrench work
Very cool. Thank you for the info. I don't get ridiculous with it like I did with my Mustang (I built it for handling), but will happily chase down a Vette in the corners. Where we live, in Rim country in AZ, we have a wonderful drive down and up to the Phx Metro area (Mesa primarily). Heading home is the most fun, as it has the tightest curves (the highway separates in many places). I got a Hellcat a ticket because he was following me, but didn't pay attention when I slowed down. I know where the Highway Patrol sit. I did feel bad about that.

I didn't do much to my Sport except Bilstein B6 shocks and struts and upgraded the brakes. We raised our son in the Sport, so I didn't get crazy. He learned to drive in it. The first car he bought (all on his own as he worked from 14) was an Audi S3. LOL Still no tickets or accidents.

Oh, our winters aren't crazy. That's the nice thing about 5000ft elevation. You get enough snow to be fun and pretty, and then it melts. I never had a problem with the Sport with the factory 20's................ even with running a more aggressive tire.
 

Cajun Heat

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,198
Reactions
597
Points
262
Location
Katy, TX, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#5
Howdy folks. Gloria here. We are all big motorheads in our family. My 2013 Explorer Sport was bought new in 12/12 (there were only 9 Sports in AZ at that time) and has 160K trouble free miles until now (needs a driveshaft because the boot cracked and leaked out the grease). Literally nothing except maintenance and wear items and the A/C compressor.

Anyway, I'm thinking of buying a lightly used ST. Love the look and the drivetrain seems bulletproof like my Sport. Love the RWD/AWD (we get snow). Am just starting my research of the different years and what you get or don't get and problems of the different years. I know the Covid ridiculousness caused issues, so am going into this with my eyes wide open................ but we do a LOT of research. So, I look forward to spending time on the page in the research phase, and after I purchase.

Any helpful hints will be appreciated. Oh, and I will be driving it hard just like I did my Sport. I always wear out the edges of my tires (used to autocross my Mustang GT that I build, in my younger days), but take excellent care of my vehicles (yes, I wrench).
Welcome to the forum and happy hunting.
 

Blue Beast

1000 Post Club
U.S. Army Veteran
Law Enforcement
Messages
1,578
Reactions
622
Points
262
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Vehicle
2020 ST
#6
Howdy folks. Gloria here. We are all big motorheads in our family. My 2013 Explorer Sport was bought new in 12/12 (there were only 9 Sports in AZ at that time) and has 160K trouble free miles until now (needs a driveshaft because the boot cracked and leaked out the grease). Literally nothing except maintenance and wear items and the A/C compressor.

Anyway, I'm thinking of buying a lightly used ST. Love the look and the drivetrain seems bulletproof like my Sport. Love the RWD/AWD (we get snow). Am just starting my research of the different years and what you get or don't get and problems of the different years. I know the Covid ridiculousness caused issues, so am going into this with my eyes wide open................ but we do a LOT of research. So, I look forward to spending time on the page in the research phase, and after I purchase.

Any helpful hints will be appreciated. Oh, and I will be driving it hard just like I did my Sport. I always wear out the edges of my tires (used to autocross my Mustang GT that I build, in my younger days), but take excellent care of my vehicles (yes, I wrench).
Welcome to the forum
 

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
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1,474
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710
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#7
Howdy folks. Gloria here. We are all big motorheads in our family. My 2013 Explorer Sport was bought new in 12/12 (there were only 9 Sports in AZ at that time) and has 160K trouble free miles until now (needs a driveshaft because the boot cracked and leaked out the grease). Literally nothing except maintenance and wear items and the A/C compressor.

Anyway, I'm thinking of buying a lightly used ST. Love the look and the drivetrain seems bulletproof like my Sport. Love the RWD/AWD (we get snow). Am just starting my research of the different years and what you get or don't get and problems of the different years. I know the Covid ridiculousness caused issues, so am going into this with my eyes wide open................ but we do a LOT of research. So, I look forward to spending time on the page in the research phase, and after I purchase.

Any helpful hints will be appreciated. Oh, and I will be driving it hard just like I did my Sport. I always wear out the edges of my tires (used to autocross my Mustang GT that I build, in my younger days), but take excellent care of my vehicles (yes, I wrench).
Welcome. You will find a lot of great info on this site.
 

Messages
50
Reactions
20
Points
7
Location
Washington State
Vehicle
2020 FORD Explorer ST
#8
Hey! Welcome to the ST LOVE Palace, you will love it when you get it. I have a 2020 as of recently. And have already found an addiction to adding on to what was a stock SUV lol. They are super comfortable, and responsive out of the box.

Good luck on your search! Hope to see pics soon
 

bbbart

New Member
Messages
19
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Chicago
Vehicle
Ford Explorer ST
#9
Welcome Gloria! The St is an amazing value with an incredible amount of aftermarket support. The quickest way to big power is an intercooler and a ZFG racing tune.

A rear differential brace is a must for launches, and there are several other modifications you can do to beef up the drivetrain, but this is the weakest link we've seen so far.

A downpipe and exhaust will give the car character but the intercooler and tune is all you need to get serious power.

Subframe bushings will make the car feel a lot more planted and if that's not enough, the "plantedness" of the ST can be improved with rear toe links, rear vertical links, and stiffer sway bars.

It's a big rabbit hole, hope you enjoy the modding process
 

Messages
107
Reactions
81
Points
27
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#10
Where we live, in Rim country in AZ, we have a wonderful drive down and up to the Phx Metro area (Mesa primarily). Heading home is the most fun, as it has the tightest curves (the highway separates in many places).
Welcome to the group Gloria! I get to do that drive a handful of times per year and it never gets old. Good luck with your search...I'm sure the crew over at Steve Coury will take good care of you.
 

I Bleed Ford Blue

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
758
Reactions
520
Points
232
Location
Ohio
Vehicle
23 Rapid Red Explorer ST
#11
The 22's and later lost the hands free liftgate, but it can easily replaced. The module is less than a Benjamin and there is a small tweak in forscan and now you have hands free again.
All 22's and some early 23's lost the second row heated seat/HVAC controls, but it can be added back in pretty easy.
The 23's and later lost the second row center console, but it was useless anyway.
Only the 20 got the windshield de-icer, it was deleted on all later years, along with the harness to plug it into.
 

Last edited:
Messages
276
Reactions
183
Points
37
Location
Kansas
Vehicle
2022 Rapid Red ST
#12
My early 22 came with hands free lift gate, rear HVAC/seat heat controls, massaging seats, and rear camera washer. Those things were lost mid-year. All 22's lost the second-row floor console and it was replaced by fold out cup holders on the back side of the front console.
 



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