Editing Ford Explorer (section)

=== Chassis ===
The third-generation Explorer (design code U152) marked a major change in the model line, ending chassis commonality with the Ford Ranger. While still retaining body-on-frame construction, the U152 chassis was developed specifically for the third-generation Explorer (and its Lincoln-Mercury counterparts). The wheelbase was extended slightly, to 113.7 inches. Along with rear-wheel drive, the third-generation Explorer was offered with both four-wheel drive and permanent all-wheel drive.

Following the redesign of the front suspension of the previous-generation Explorer, Ford redesigned the suspension layout of the rear axle, replacing the leaf-sprung live rear axle with an independent rear axle located by two half-shafts (similar to the [[Ford MN12 platform|Ford MN12]] chassis). The 4-wheel independent configuration was a first for Ford Motor Company trucks and American-market SUVs (with the exception of the [[Humvee|HMMWV]]-derived [[Hummer H1]]). As with the previous generation, four-wheel disc brakes were standard with an anti-lock braking system.

==== Powertrain ====
Carried over from the previous generation, a 210&nbsp;hp 4.0&nbsp;L V6 was the standard engine. The 5.0&nbsp;L V8 of the previous generation was retired, with the Explorer adopting a 239&nbsp;hp 4.6&nbsp;L [[Ford Modular engine#4.6 L|Modular V8]] as its optional engine (shared with the Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis); the Explorer was the final V8-powered American Ford to adopt the 4.6&nbsp;L engine.

For 2002, a 5-speed manual transmission was standard equipment with the 4.0&nbsp;L V6, the final year a manual transmission was offered for the model line.<ref name="CNET2">{{cite web|last=Carrillo III |first=Manuel |date=January 10, 2019 |title=6 generations of Ford Explorers: A history of the groundbreaking SUV |url= https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/ford-explorer-generations-history-1991/ |access-date=August 4, 2020 |publisher=CNET}}</ref> From 2003 through 2005, the Ford 5R55 5-speed automatic transmission (previously optional for the 4.0&nbsp;L V6) was paired with the 4.0&nbsp;L V6 and the 4.6&nbsp;L V8.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |Third-generation (U152) Ford Explorer powertrain details
|-
! rowspan="2" |Engine name
! rowspan="2" |Production
! rowspan="2" |Engine Configuration
! colspan="2" |Output
! rowspan="2" |Transmission
|-
!Power
!Torque
|-
|Ford ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine#SOHC|Cologne V6]]''
|2002–2005
|{{cvt|245|cuin|L|1}} SOHC 12V V6
|{{cvt|210|hp|kW|0}}
|{{cvt|254|lbft|Nm|}}
|Mazda [[Mazda M5OD transmission|''M5OD-R4'']] 5-speed manual (2002 only)
Ford 5R55 5-speed automatic
|-
|Ford [[Ford Modular engine#4.6 L|''Modular V8'']]
|2002–2005
|{{cvt|281|cuin|L|1}} SOHC 16V V8
|{{cvt|239|hp|kW|0}} at 4750 rpm
|{{cvt|282|lbft|Nm|}} at 4000 rpm
|Ford [[Ford C3 transmission#5R44E/5R55E/N/S/W|5R55]] 5-speed automatic
|}