Looking like a modified Ford Explorer with a pickup bed, almost like something I would have come up with in Photoshop, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac has a modified, longer UN105 chassis than the second-gen Explorer it mimics, but still has Explorer DNA. This 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac can be found posted here on craigslist in Puyallup, Washington, and the seller is asking $5,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Jack M. for the tip!
Some folks make fun of these little pickups as being for “women,” as if women can’t own or drive a regular pickup. That in and of itself is a pretty lame mindset, not to mention that some of us males also rarely need a full-sized pickup bed for any reason. Do all men really need to haul loads of 4×8 sheets of plywood every day of the year to keep the hair fully intact on our collective chests? That’s just crazy talk. For some folks, male or female, a small pickup bed like on this Sport Trac is more than enough for hauling a snowblower, bags of mulch, some firewood, an ATV or small motorcycle, or whatever. It’ll haul lots of camping and fishing gear as well. The Sport Trac has a wheelbase almost 15 inches longer than the second-generation Explorer, and an overall length about the same as a SuperCab Ranger.
Being a full-framed quad-cab pickup, I like the split between the cab and bed, even if the trend seems to be losing that in place of an integrated look – trucks like the Honda Ridgeline or the newish Ford Maverick. Ford made the first-generation Sport Trac from early 2000 for the 2001 model year until the end of 2005, then there was a two-year hiatus, after which point they came back for the second-generation model years of 2007 through 2010. It’s really a perfect-sized truck for a lot of us who either don’t want to drive a full-sized pickup or don’t have the garage space to park one. I’m in both of those camps. We don’t get to see inside the smallish cargo bed, unfortunately. Ford also offered a caged bed extender that rests on the open tailgate, in case buyers needed to haul something longer.
For a $5,500 vehicle, this “Black” (Ford’s name for, well, black) Sport Trac looks almost like new, other than a couple of exterior dings and some light wrinkling on the driver’s seat left side bolsters. The “Leather Comfort Group” adds leather seats along with six-way power controls for the driver, and an overhead console with a compass and an outside temperature gauge. A five-speed manual was the base transmission, but this one has the five-speed automatic with overdrive. MPG is often one complaint, along with potential leaks around the thermostat housing.
Sadly, the seller didn’t include any engine photos, so I added one of the rear seating area. It looks almost like new. If this one were closer, I’d have a look this weekend. The engine is Ford’s 4.0-liter SOHC V6 with a healthy 205 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. There were rear-wheel drive and 4WD models, and this 4×4 version has what Ford referred to as ControlTrac, an automatic, full-time, selectable 4WD system, developed at BorgWarner. The seller says it runs, drives, and shifts great and has been well-maintained for 140,000 miles. I know a lot of you have owned these little rigs, let’s hear your thoughts on this nice-looking Sport Trac. $5,500 seems like a good price here, doesn’t it?
Was the 5sp manual available w 4wd ?
Stan, I couldn’t find any decisive information as to whether a buyer would have been able to get a 5-speed in a 4WD or not, but forums seem to suggest that they were indeed available in the 4×4 Sport Tracs.
Yes, in 2001 the Explorer Sport Trac was available with the 4X4 and 5-speed manual combination. Also, my recollection is that in 2001 the 4.0-liter V6 was rated at 210 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. Scotty, I agree with your thoughts on how useful this configuration can be. Can’t help but think that Ford might enjoy some success with a modern day version of this vehicle.
Nice looking well optioned truck, the price seems more than reasonable, then you see that it’s been on the market for 27 days.
Steve R
Bought its twin in 2001 and loved it until the Ridgeline came out and improved it in every way. It rides better, higher payload at1550lbs and the trunk is a game changer. An ’06-’08 Ridgline for $5k may be a better choice.
Looks like a nice truck on the outside and the inside. My only concern is the 4.0 V6. If it’s making timing chain noises you’ll be looking at an engine-out repair (chains and guides replacement) since it has timing chains both front and rear.
Almost worthless as a truck, then and now. And not a useful as a suv. Worst of both worlds. Rather have a extend cab Ranger, and if you need to haul a Explorer with secure storage and a utility trailer makes more sense.
But to each their own, its what makes America great.
Sad part is manufacturers are now dropping 6 ft beds and extend cabs as soccer mom/dad want little beds and seats, so they can claim to have a truck. Just like the proliferation of ultra processed food, giving people what they want isn’t always logical or utilitarian.
Or good for them in the long run!
A few years ago I bought a 2010 Sport Trac with 80k on it. I loved it for the short time I had it. In less than a year I started having check engine lights which pointed to various possible components. I then took it to a shop and they diagnosed a bad computer and new, replacement computers were no longer available. Long story short (the dealership where I purchased it screwed me), I sold it for next to nothing. Checked back in with the purchaser later, and he found someone who repaired the computer for $200. Live and learn. :-(
Too small for what I need and the only comment I have is that the rear bumper has been pushed over to the right side and the trailer hitch ball is way off center of the truck. Makes me wonder what that did to the frame.
The off-center look is an optical illusion.
And weak automatic transmissions.
Last one I saw had a bad transmission.
I had a 2009 and I totally enjoyed it. It was the right size for my needs at the time. Not hard to park a lot better on fuel than my prior pick ups, which had always been full-size rams. After an altercation with a tractor trailer, it made it tragic and nobody got hurt, but I went back to full-size rims because I just couldn’t find these little guys anymore.
Hold out for one with the 4.6 Modular V8 they are bulletproof. The six isn’t.
My friends 4.0 Ranger has over 200,000 hard miles on it. These engines are fine. Just change your dang oil every 3000 miles.
That’s great. I could have been clearer. I should have said drivetrain problems with the six. How’s his trans holding up?
Why? Why is this truck/not a real truck on here? These are junk. Two timing belts makes overhaul very expensive. Just junk
We still have an ’09 Sport Trac 4×4. 165k miles and counting. It was perfect for what I wanted, and now my son and his wife are enjoying it. The thermostat housing issue is real, we have replaced ours twice. Bad design.. So far we have not been bitten by the timing chain guide issue, and no signs it is eminent. It has truly been a solid truck for us. I also had a Gen 1 like this one. Mine was a 2005. The only reason I let it go was that I wanted a 4×4. My ’05 had around 130k miles on it when I sold it. They are fun little truck to drive and are actually comfortable for travel.
Man, this listing makes me miss the ’02 Sport Trac I had. Same color scheme as this one, and it was handy as heck. It came with a bed extender that folded into the bed and could be used when you needed it. The removable (a heavy mother) bed cover was great because it locked and acted like a trunk.
This was like the Explorer SUV in name only – this was a full frame, very capable 4×4 and anyone who called it a woman’s truck was dead wrong, simply because they never owned or even drove one.
Mine stayed in NH when we moved, scrapped due to major frame rot and that plastic cladding doe a number on the rocker panels. They were a rare sight in NH, but plenty of survivors down here in GA. I would not hesitate to pick one up on the cheap if I need a pickup.
But, you could power the rear window down, open the sunroof and the 4 side windows and it was like driving a convertible.
Scotty, thanks for featuring this!
Id ve interested to know from the owners if they had or have the six or eight.
I had the 6 and it was a fine engine for what the vehicle was used for. I wasn’t pulling a trailer of any sort.
I always though that if I upgraded to a later 2nd gen, I would get one with the V8.
I don’t think there was any gas savings by going with the 6, maybe 1 or 2 mpg.
This listing has expired, so I’m assuming it didn’t sell.