Did Ford make a 2WD Explorer?
Yes. Ford did offer two-wheel-drive Explorers—primarily rear‑wheel drive—in several of the model’s early generations. In newer, unibody Explorers, the drivetrain options are front‑wheel drive or all‑wheel drive, with no traditional rear‑wheel‑drive 2WD version in current production.
Historical 2WD availability by era
Ford’s Explorer lineup spanned from the early 1990s into the 2010s in a body-on-frame form, during which 2WD was offered alongside 4WD on many trims. As the lineup shifted to a unibody design in 2011, Ford moved to front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, and a traditional rear-wheel-drive 2WD option was no longer part of the Explorer lineup in most markets.
- 1991–2010: 2WD (rear-wheel drive) was available on multiple Explorer trims alongside 4WD options.
- 2011–present: The Explorer adopted a unibody platform and is typically offered with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD); a traditional rear-wheel-drive variant is not offered by Ford in this generation.
Note: Availability can vary by market and model year; always verify the exact drivetrain on a specific vehicle or dealer window sticker.
What this means for buyers and collectors
For collectors seeking a classic 2WD Explorer, focus on 1990s to 2000s models that were sold with 2WD; for contemporary buyers, expect a drivetrain of either FWD or AWD, with no standard RWD option. When shopping used, always check the window sticker or dealer documentation to confirm the exact drivetrain configuration.
Summary
In sum, Ford did build 2WD Explorers in earlier decades, but in the modern era the Explorer is sold with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and a traditional rear-wheel-drive configuration is not offered. If you specifically need a rear-wheel-drive Explorer, you’ll be looking at older generations from the 1990s or early 2000s and should verify the drivetrain before purchase.
