new to be owner

[seantos clancopolis]

Hi folks, just a quick message and hats-off to a great resource. I have NOT purchased it yet but looking at a new to us sport-trac and excited about it. Have owned SUVs but needing a more versatile vehicle - hence this message. Was looking at a 2010 Tacoma and quickly talked out of it by sensibility and the price tag. Now looking at a 2002 sport-trac and feeling good but never owned a Ford since my 1969 Torino GT (which I loved).



If you could give me a quick highlight about bests/worsts to expect in a used sport-trac I would be grateful. Thank you all...

/c

 

[Taylor Corn]

I have a 2002 with 140k on it. Almost all issues have been wear and tear items. It really never misses a beat, even after offroad riding extensively, 10 years in the Lake Erie snow belt, and significant towing. I have every intention of keeping mine until it dies.

 

[seantos clancopolis]

Thanks BigT1989! I am just looking for any pointers I can look for as I dive in. Sounds like you are into it and that is awesome. The shop I am looking to buy it from wants to sell my existing ride (2010 MINI Clubman) in exchange for the ST. I'm spanning a few negative years and gas mileage to get the versatility. Since you have a 2002 and replied (thanks again) would you be looking for anything in particular if buying today? Sounds like no - but what about tow pack vs. the ball/bumper, or options, etc...there is no aftermarket tow-pack (which I like since it indicates no strains, but we may need to tow a horse trailer now and again). I tried to insert a link to a pic per your sig it's a very basic ride....



Again -- thanks for the info regardless and good luck 4-wheeling in the Erie snow belt!!

/c

 

[Tony Klein]

I have an 2003 with a tow package and from what I can tell it has a oil cooler or it's a Trans cooler but I haven't traced the line to tell but as for a trailer hitch I have a hidden hitch under the rear bumber that is a frame mounted class 2 or 3 hitch that is aftermarket so that maybe out there but other than that not really sure what else they put on the Trac for towing since I'm also new to the whole sport Trac scene

 

[Vic Sorlie]

Just to clarify clanopolis - is this car lot proposing a straight trade, your 2010 Mini for their 2004 Trac? If so it doesn't appear to me to be an equal trade - but to get close we'd need more info on both cars, such as model (Cooper or Cooper S on Mini), mileage, options.



Used Sport Tracs are the same as any other used car or truck: It all depends on how it was maintained by previous owner(s). From your linked picture it looks like decent condition but is in a typical used car lot; I wouldn't expect that they would have any maintenance records. If you were serious about this car I'd recommend a PPI.

 

[Igor Smetaniuk]

That Trac used to have a step bar on both sides and have been removed. Have the rocker panels checked on both sides from underneath as they typically can rot pretty bad where the bar brackets bolted into. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to see what's developing behind the gray plastic rocker panel covers.



Also, what's the mileage on this truck? Towing a somewhat heavier Trailer on a high mileage vehicle with a tranny that's doesn't have the greatest track record of reliability could mean a surprise breakdown in the future unless it has already been replaced in it's past history which you're unlikely to find out. You may want to lookinto a newer generation with a V8 and lower mileage.



Overall the Trac is a great SUT. My 2001 has around 350,000 mi. and I replaced the engine & tranny with Ford remanufactured ones because I just can't part with this vehicle.



Happy Trac hunting!

 

[Mark K 2]

I have a 2001 Sport Trac with 142,000 miles on it. The only issues were an oil sender switch and a DPFE sensor. Everything else was routine maintenance stuff. It's a clean and reliable vehicle.



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[Duane Foster]

There are numerous aftermarket trailer hitches available for the 2001-05 Sport Tracs. I have a Curt hitch on both of mine.



There are no aftermarket hitches for the 2007-10 Sport Tracs as they can't be added due to the way Ford designed the rear.

 

[Dreman]

330,000 miles on mine with original engine and transmission. Keep up the oil changes and other maintenance and they seem to run forever. I haven't towed that much, but the few times I have towed with it I didn't have any problems. Even towing a car over 1,000 miles to drop it off with a friend.