sport trac

[Hero]

hello its me again..just sold my car..wala na.....m thinkin of getting a cefiro..mga 2000-01 model na elite...baka may kakilala kayo...

but then biglang naisip ko..sport trac kaya i consider ko ..kahit galing na ako sa f150 lariat...now...ok ba to?..importante sa kin ang quality ng ride sawa na ako sa ride ng pickup...pareho lang kaya ito sa f150 o parang expedition..cushy?...malamang consumption nyan mas matipid ng konti dahil tuwang tuwa na ako dati if i can get 4.5l/km...at nakita ko na rin loob a thousand times at ok naman very cozy nga e...

my final? top 3..
1. cefiro elite..2nd hand..2000-01 o brand new..
2. rav 4 2001 2nd hand o brand new
3. sport trac...?..2nd hand o brand new din...

[mbt]

cefiro, rav4, or sport trac? hmm very varied ang choices ha hehe...

which one are you leaning to? kung ride quality, the cefiro would have the best one among the three...

[IMm29]

my final? top 3..
1. cefiro elite..2nd hand..2000-01 o brand new..
2. rav 4 2001 2nd hand o brand new
3. sport trac...?..2nd hand o brand new din...

the cefiro would indeed have the best ride quality among the 3. though in terms of go-anywhere, it'll probably be the last in this list.

the rav4, IMO, runs 2nd in terms of flexibility and go-anywhere qualities. haven't gotten to ride one, so i can't comment on its ride, but since it's an SUV with full time 4wd that can pack 5 people, then it should be able to go anywhere in and around town without much ado (serious off-roading, not included, of course. light off-roading, depending on the terrain i would suppose). and it should have better mileage than the sport trac.

the sport trac, IMO, should be the most flexible and most prepared to go places in a jiffy. it's got 4wd (auto, high and low), so it can handle more than the RAV4, it can pack 5 people and still have lots of bed space for everything else. again, i can't comment on ride quality coz i haven't ridden one. mileage should be in the cefiro range or maybe a little worse though.

anyways, if your complaint is the boaty/cushy ride, then i read alfalfameister post that changing your shocks to bilsteins should give you a better feel. maybe you'd like to inquire with him about them.

[Alfalfameister]

The F150 (lariat 4x4 and flare/style side 4x2) has a nicer (more comfortable) ride than the Sport Trac.

Actually, medyo matagtag ang Sport Trac, though definitely much better than Stradas, Frontiers, Fuegos or Rangers. Of course, it's also in a different class.

Changing shocks to Bilsteins, and/or changing rear leaf springs to Old Man Emu will improve the ride of the Sport Trac, but the Cefiro will still have a more comfortable ride. Upgrading the shocks/leaf springs will give you a more controlled ride, less bouncy, less "tagtag" and give your more comfort. But a stock Expedition will still be a bit more comfortable.

The expedition, while having a really comfortable ride, is, as you said, cushy, and even barge-like. Upgrading the shocks will net you pretty much the same comfort, but with much more control and you almost totally rid yourself of that wavy, boat-like ride. To me, it's one of the best upgrades to an Expedition.

In fact, with ANY car, pick-up, van, SUV, whatever... it's a personal thing for me: suspension upgrade gets my highest priority.

Good luck in your hunt for a vehicle!

--Alf

P.S. If you need help (financing, insurance, getting the best deal for a car), I'm currently writing a (somewhat lengthy) article tentatively titled "The Insider's Guide to Purchasing a Vehicle". It has tips on how to get the best deals. Should be out in about one to two weeks.

[IMm29]

Alf,
as you've said, the bilsteins remove the cushiness of the expedition's ride? doesn't it, however, make the ride a bit stiffer/more matagtag?

[Alfalfameister]

On the contrary, it makes it less matagtag.

Normally, shock absorbers (actually, dampeners) dampen the upward movement of the suspension, but there's not much dampening on the rebound part. Aftermarket shocks (ranchos, bilsteins, OMEmus, etc) are valved to have good damping on both the bump and rebound. So, it's less "matagtag" because the oscillations are reduced.

The shocks are also normally valved stiffer (harder to pull apart and compress), as you observed. But in terms of ride quality, especially for such a heavy car like the expedition, it's not just negligible, it actually works out better.

On a light car (i.e., lancer, civic, etc), stiffer shocks will give you a firmer ride (notice I didn't say "stiffer"). The oscillations of the springs are better controlled, and you have a more controlled ride.

--Alf

[namra]

Hi Alfalfameister, I'm driving a Frontier 4x4 and my wife who is now 3 months pregnant always complains of the "matagtag" ride. Do you think if I upgrade to bilsteins or Old Man Emu will the "matagtag" be removed or if not greatly improved? How much does the upgrade cost and where could I find one? Thanks

[IMm29]

Thanks Alfalfameister. A friend of mine was complaining about the same cushy problem. I told him of your solution, and that he try it. As for me, perhaps when the first set gives in. Btw, you still selling them Bilsteins?

[Hero]

tnx again for the replies!..

one comment i can make sa suspension ng f1 ay ok sya sa patag pero if you run on uneven surfaces ayun medyo harsh..pero way better than jap trucks..pero dun ako di nabilib dahil i was expecting na parang chevy blazer yun ride ang ganda controlled hindi harsh although i know na better talaga ride ng mga chevy trucks..eh kaya naman cefiro napili ko dahil nga gusto ko naman tahimik at maganda talaga na ride.. and yung rav4 mukhang fun to drive e kaso kung harsh din ang ride wag na lang..sport trac..wala lang parang di maalis sa kin yun pagka truck owner ko e...napagdaanan ko na box type na pajero, feroza, blazer,eagle, f150 maski sa states escape, durango.. kaya puro truck at suv..yung mga kakwentuhan ko nga puro yun ang mga pangarap dahil mga sedan owners sila ang sabi ko na lang papunta pa lang kayo pabalik na ako! ahahah

hay nako hirap ng walang sasakyan....pa hitch!

[ulolin666]

naisip ko lang nu! kung may nagbebenta ng F-150 na body lang eh lalagyan ko nalang ng engine na diesel like makina cguro ng Patrol para tipid sa bulsa! hehehe.......:D

[RS Sprint]

You can get a Cummins V8 TD engine for the F150 / Expedition. Though Ford never sold the cars with the Cummins V8, bolt-on siya sa engine bay. IF seryoso ka. ;)

IMHO we had an Explorer Sport-Trac for about a week. We felt it was terribly slow and wanted to get rid of it ASAP. Luckily, a friend saw it and got it from us. Kinda tight inside too.

But its handy since it has a useable but somewhat small bed. And definitely, madating siya.

[Alfalfameister]

namra:

Changing your Frontier's shocks will give you a significant improvement in the ride quality. Changing the leaf springs (or modifying them) will also net an improvement (but not as much as the shocks upgrade).

Note that upgrading the whole suspension will improve the ride of your Frontier, but it will still be a pick-up. It will ride better than other Frontiers out there (much better), but it will still not ride like a sedan (like a Cefiro).

In your case, I suggest changing the shocks immediately for your wife's sake. I know the feeling: I have a Strada, and my wife is 5 months pregnant (but my shocks have been upgraded a long time ago). She doesn't complain as much (although after using our Expedition, which I get to borrow from my dad once in a while, then she notices the BIG difference. heheh).

Contact auto_xer*yahoo.com for Bilsteins (my personal favorite). Or go to a RATS 4x4 store for the Old Man Emus. Or try Rancho, available from Ride. These cost about P20,000 for a set of four (there are also Rancho non-adjustables you can get for about P15,000). But trust me, P20,000 is one of the BEST investments you can make for your pick up.

You can also upgrade the leaf springs (P20,000 from Old Man Emu for a set of 2). Alternatively, you can remove a leaf if you NEVER (and I mean NEVER) really load up your pick up. Removing a leaf makes the rear less stiff, but also alters the carrying capacity (reducing it about 30%). If I were to remove a leaf from the leaf springs, I'd never load my car more than 50% of its rated capacity again, just to be safe).

IMm29

All the people I know who upgraded the shocks of their Expedition to Bilsteins have been VERY HAPPY. Not a single one is complaining about the investment (also about P20,000 or so for a set of 4). I'm still selling them, and my online-store will be open soon. In the meantime, you can get it from the guru: auto_xer*yahoo.com

RS Sprint

I sold Sport Tracs before, and I know what you mean by slow. Well, it's not really slow, but I have a client who greatly improved his Sport Trac. He changed the whole cat-back/muffler system, (cost him about P15,000, I think), got a K&N Filter (about P4,500, although he's saving up for the open-type Typhoon K&N which is about P23,000 or so), and upgraded the computer chip. I wouldn't call his Sport Trac slow! In fact, it even sounds quite "teen-ager vroomy".

And yes, one of my biggest complaints about the Sport Trac is that I myself find it tight inside. Great for small kids, but for long trips, even if you're only 4, I find it masikip inside. I find the CRV (even the old model) more roomy inside, believe it or not.

Ergonomics wise, the Sport Trac could use some improvements inside, too. However, it is a great car for everyday and for most of anywhere, which makes it great for weekend warriors, beach lovers, vacationers. And it's also good for chicks....

--Alf

[IMm29]

RS Sprint,
Wouldn't the V8 Cummins Diesel also be as thirsty as the gasoline V8? Kung sabagay, mas mura ang diesel sa petrol.

Alf,
Ok, m convinced now. No rush, though. Will wait for your online store to be up. Maybe by then I'll have the investment, and my shocks will show enough wear to warrant their replacement. :mrgreen:

As to the Sport Trac, it is tight. Well, relatively more spacious than the Japs, but tight by American standards. I think the reason why you find the CRV more spacious is because it's a wagon type, so there's head room behind the 2nd row seats which gives you an airy effect. The Sport Trac on the other hand doesn't have this space, which is what makes most feel claustrophobic.

[20vanda01]

Alfalfameister, changing your shocks into bilsteins, will that affect the loading capacity of you ride? my ride is crosswind, xuvi.

[namra]

Alf thanks for the advice. Hopefully by next year I may have the money for the upgrade. I am saving for the holidays. My only solution for now is just to drive slow and avoid the moon craters at EDSA :x

[Alfalfameister]

20vanda01

First of all, I'm not sure if there's a Bilstein for Crosswind. I think there is, and I'm pretty sure there's an Old Man Emu for them.

To answer your question, changing dampers (shocks) will NOT affect the loading capacity of your vehicle. It will not affect it positively, nor negatively. The dampers are just there to dampen the oscillations of the springs, so it is the springs that affect the loading capacity.

Although changing to Bilsteins or other good aftermarket shocks for your crosswind will result in a much nicer ride.

--Alf

[kimpOy]

kung ako lang i'll go for the sport trac,
depende naman kasi sa lifestlye talaga eh
ako mahilig ako sa outdoors
kaya sport trac na ako

[vinj]

On the Sportrac... when i borrowed one before the main downside i found was the fuel consumption.. we averaged aroun 4km/l if i'm not mistaken.

Namra, if you want to improve the ride on your Frontier for time being, have one of the rear leaf spring "molye" inverted in a shop. It'll improve the ride... the casa WONT do this for you though so have it done in another shop. Take ntoe though that it'll decrease the max load limit of teh rear a bit but hey it'll give you a better ride.

[20vanda01]

First of all, I'm not sure if there's a Bilstein for Crosswind. I think there is, and I'm pretty sure there's an Old Man Emu for them.

To answer your question, changing dampers (shocks) will NOT affect the loading capacity of your vehicle. It will not affect it positively, nor negatively. The dampers are just there to dampen the oscillations of the springs, so it is the springs that affect the loading capacity.

Although changing to Bilsteins or other good aftermarket shocks for your crosswind will result in a much nicer ride.

--Alf

Alf, one more clarifying question, using the Bilstein or Old Man Emu shocks, will not change the loading capacity of the ride, but how about the over-all height of the vehicle when loaded? Will the rear end of the ride become lower than the front end? If I buy Old man Emu shocks, are there any models or part numbers that I need to be aware of?
Sorry for the many questions, I just wanted my crosswind to have a better ride.
Thanks.

[RS Sprint]

The reason why we found the Sport Trac slow was that we've had 2 Expeditions (a grey-market 5.4 which we still have with the Typhoon intake kit and the local 4.6 which we sold again after only a few months) and have an F150 Super Crew at home and hence, rather unfairly, we were expecting the Sport Trac's oomph to match the other 3, which admittedly, is quite unreasonbale.

However, IMHO the Sport Trac's fuel consumption was not directly proportional to its power.