Rugged, outdoorsy, off-road targeted trims appear to be all the craze now. While many of those fashions and their consumers will in all probability by no means enterprise on something extra tough than a dust highway, that also hasn’t stopped automakers, from Toyota and its TRD and Adventure trims to GMC and its AT4 trims. Ford has not too long ago obtained in on it as nicely. Aside from the Bronco, fashions just like the Explorer and Expedition have their Timberline trims. While it’s not some trail-blasting excessive off-road trim, it seems the half and has just a few goodies to match. What you in all probability didn’t understand is that Ford provided one thing related on the Explorer and Expedition 20 years in the past.
The third-generation Explorer was an enormous vendor for Ford. It acquired its first high to backside redesign for the reason that mannequin’s introduction. It was nonetheless body-on-frame and retained its V6 and V8 engine decisions in addition to standard trims just like the XLT and loaded Eddie Bauer. Buyers wanting one thing a bit extra rugged may both choice for the XLT Sport trim that obtained all-terrain tires and four- or all-wheel drive, or go elsewhere and purchase one thing else. Or they may dig into the Explorer’s ordering books for a bit identified trim provided throughout the 2003-2004 mannequin 12 months.
Positioned as a package deal on the XLT that sat above the XLT Sport however proper beneath the Eddie Bauer, consumers may order an Explorer XLT NBX. Outside, the variations had been refined. The fundamental change on the NBX was the addition of a Yakima LoadWarrior roof rack basket with a in-built cargo web. Other exterior options had been entrance tow hooks, 17-inch wheels with thick all-terrain tires, physique aspect cladding and black aspect steps. Inside, there was harder seat upholstery, a cargo space liner with matching storage bag and rubber ground mats with deep channels for liquid run off. Off-road goodies got here within the type of a 4 wheel drive system with two velocity switch case and underbody skid plates. Buyers may additionally select between the 4.0 liter V6 or 4.6 liter V8.
If you wished a bit extra room along with your NBX and the Explorer wasn’t sufficient, Ford provided the trim on the Expedition for the 2004 mannequin 12 months. The Expedition NBX took issues a bit additional. While it wasn’t provided with the Yakima roof basket, choosing the Expedition XLT NBX obtained you customary V8 energy from Ford’s 5.4 liter V8. You additionally obtained four-wheel drive with a two-speed switch case, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, entrance tow hooks and a pair of65/70R17 all terrain tires wrapped round metal wheels.
Adjusted for inflation, pricing for these NBX trims traces proper up with what automakers are charging for related fashions in the present day. An Explorer NBX with the V6 began at $31,645 or simply over $52,000 in 2023; the Explorer NBX V8 was $33,870 or simply over $56,000. The Expedition NBX was the priciest, costing $39,520 in 2004 or $65,532 in 2023 {dollars}.
While Ford wouldn’t provide one other rugged NBX like trim till the Timberline in 2021, it’s fascinating to assume that one thing like that was provided so way back. With the a whole lot of 1000’s of Explorers offered over the 2003 and 2004 mannequin years, it’s protected to imagine that not many consumers optioned for the NBX seeing as we’re simply studying in regards to the trim 20 years after it was provided.
Source: jalopnik.com
