has 8.5 in of ground clearance and enough torque to withstand a lot of off-roading excursions. That said, it does have some limitations that drivers need to consider before hitting the trails.

Driving on rocky terrains, the excitement of climbing a steep hill—adventure driving is a ton of fun, not to mention a great way to escape a long work week. Unfortunately, not all off-road cars and SUVs have the same capabilities, even if they look like they could traverse the Amazon.

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, can help you figure out if you should take your old Explorer off the beaten path. Keep reading to learn about the Ford Explorer's off-road rating, vehicle specs, and competitors.

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Can the 2002 Ford Explorer go off-road?

Yes, it absolutely can! You should feel safe driving through a lot of different natural environments with your 2002 Ford Explorer. That doesn’t mean it should be your go-to choice for every off-road expedition—some terrains will be too much for this vehicle to handle.

With an original starting price of only $24,585, the 2002 Ford Explorer was an affordable SUV that offered plenty of features, functionality, safety, and comfort.

Even beginner-level off-roading environments can be bumpy, rocky, rough, and unpredictable. To ensure you’re investing in the right vehicle, let’s review some of the key specs of the 2002 Ford Explorer.

Ground clearance

Your vehicle’s ground clearance might be its most important off-roading spec, especially if you’re not keen on having to replace the undercarriage after each drive. The 2002 Ford Explorer’s minimum ground clearance is 8.5 inches. This is its best off-roading feature and can make up for some of its shortcomings (we’ll get to that soon)

For ideal ground clearance, you want between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. The reason is simple: the higher a vehicle's clearance, the less likely that your car’s undercarriage will be harmed while off-roading.

If you are looking to invest in a vehicle with the most ground clearance, check out the 2021

Jeep Wrangler

, which features 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The 2002 Ford Explorer doesn’t quite reach the level of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, but it’s pretty close—and still impressive.

Torque

Here’s something about off-roading to remember: power always trumps speed. Every adventure vehicle requires a good amount of low-end torque to overcome unpaved paths and trails.

Essentially, low-end torquelets your vehicle gain the power it needs to maneuver steep inclines. It makes sure you don’t get stuck halfway up a hill and then slide in reverse.

The 2002 Ford Explorer offers an optional 4.6-liter V-8 in the Limited that produces 240 horsepower. Its torque of 254 @ 3,700 should be enough to tackle many steep hills and mountains.

Tires

The 2002 Explorer came with P205/55VR16 tires. Chances are, though, that the original tires have been replaced—or desperately need to be. Either way, we strongly recommend upgrading your tires, as it can improve your vehicle’s traction and safety. This is not where you want to skimp just to save a few bucks.

Most off-roading enthusiasts use the same car to drive to work as they do for their weekend adventures. This is why it’s a good idea to invest in

All-terrain tires

. These tires offer a much more aggressive tread pattern resulting in better traction, so they’re versatile enough for the highway and off-roading. Just keep in mind that these types of tires have a shorter lifespan than the average all-season tires, so they’ll need to be replaced more often.

Drivetrain

Every off-roading trip calls for all-wheel drive (AWD), which the 2002 Ford Explorer does not have. AWD provides greater handling and control of a vehicle. You can still take your Explorer off-roading, but the RWD found on the 2002 Explorer is less than ideal for more aggressive trails and hills.

Angles

Let’s talk about approach angle and departure angle, both of which are key parts of taking any vehicle off the safety of paved roads.

Approach angle is the maximum angle that a vehicle can ascend without interference

Departure angle is the maximum angle that a vehicle can descend without interference

The 2002 Explorer has an approach angle of 31º and a departure angle of 24.5º.These angles should suffice for most off-roading activities.

Off-road rating: Rough and Ready

The DIRT rating system is Jerry’s one-of-a-kind system to evaluate the level of off-roading a vehicle can safely tackle. The categories are:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

The 2002 Explorer gets an R rating. It can handle a lot, but its lack of AWD holds it back from being a true Trail Boss.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the 2002 Ford Explorer

If the 2002 Ford Explorer isn’t your thing, there are a few solid alternatives. If you want a more affordable option, something more environmentally-friendly, or a better off-roading alternative, we’ve got you covered.

Check out these alternatives to the 2002 Ford Explorer:

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best affordable alternative	2009 Jeep Liberty	$23,015	Only a slighter lower price tag but it also gets solid MPG.
Best eco-friendly alternative	2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac	$23,710	This vehicle’s flex-fuel capability, which produces fewer toxins, makes it more eco-friendly than the 2002 Ford Explorer.
Best alternative for serious off-roading	2012 Toyota Sequoia	$40,930	This Toyota model checks a lot more boxes for off-roading than the 2002 Explorer, including 9.6 in of ground clearance.