^^

The FLEX Is based on the Windstar van frame. The Explorer is based on the Taurus car frame.

 

I would never own a Ford, yes they might look appealing on the outside but as soon as you sit in them they are all just crappy plastic and really don't have any design to them at all.

So anyways good job on going for the D

 

According to Wikipedia Taurus, Flex, Explorer are ALL based on the D4 chassis.

"The fifth generation 2011 Explorer takes cues from the Explorer America concept's construction, and includes a monocoque (unibody) structure based on the D4 platform, a modified version of the D3 platform."

"The Flex includes an independent rear suspension system. It is built on the Ford D4 platform, a reengineered and enlarged version of the Ford D3 platform which underpins the 2005-2007 Five Hundred/Freestyle, 2008-2009 Taurus/Taurus X, 2009 Lincoln MKS and 2010 Ford Taurus. This chassis was in turn based on the Volvo P2 platform"

 

I also recently had to make the decision between the explorer and durango. I liked things about both of them, but ultimately the Durango Citadel with a hemi won out. The explorer drives more like a truck, and the Durango a car. The V6 explorer was impressive once you got the revs up, and I could have probably lived with it. The Hemi is better. The interiors were very close, both are very nice, but I would give the edge to the explorer, just because the seats in the explorer were probably the most comfortable I have ever sat in. I'm 6'-4" and when I'm driving, no one could sit behind me in the explorer, not a problem in the Durango. The way the third row folds in the explorer is stupid. Wife couldn't figure it out, so would have to have the power fold third row. Really like the ford sync idea, but was afraid of all the issues. Did like how it would sync up almost instantly and start playing Rhapsody off my phone without me having to do anything. My Durango is really slow to connect to my phone, not that big an issue. Wish the hemi got 25 mpg, like the explorer. All around the Durango was just a better thought out and executed car for me. I have to carry stuff on the roof from time to time, and really like the integrated crossbars, that was a brilliant idea. If my car had the explorer seats, got 25 mpg, and would connect to my phone faster it would absolutely be a perfect car. It's pretty damn close as is, and I was dead set on buying an explorer before I drove the Durango. Now I've got to find out if I can put the R/T suspension on my Citadel.

 

Should just be a matter of switching the shocks, springs, and sway bars?

I'd be happy with just the lower stance of the r/t.

 

Just buy the lowering springs, or adjustable coil overs.

 

That's what I plan on doing. Just waiting for more pics of durango's with alternate rims to show up. Want to make sure there are no fitment issues.

 

I'm really thinking about doing that. I like the handling of the R/T and the options of the Citadel. Thought I would be ok for awhile with the citadel wheels, until I noticed they were plastic. Now I'm thinking Vipers and R/T suspension might be the ticket.

 

I couldn't agree more that the Exp felt more like a truck -- and surprisingly so given it's marketing. I too was dead set on an Exp until I drove the Durango. It was an eye opening experience. And though I haven't used them much (there's so much room inside), the integrated cross bars are indeed a brilliant idea. It makes so much sense you wonder why every manufacturer doesn't have them. As for the mileage, well if the Durango had 500 hp and got 40 mpg that would really be perfect -- but then you wake up :-)

 

I'm waiting on Feb 1 to order a Citadel AWD with 2nd row Captains chairs. Now I'm just deciding on white vs silver.