THERE are three things you must remember when considering any pre-2001 Ford Explorer. One: the Explorer is not a car-based vehicle Two: instead it's a truck, based on the Ford Ranger pick-up, so it has very truck-like (ie non car-like) traits, including a propensity to lean excessively and even roll over on some tyres during certain manouevres. This leads on to point Three: that this is the Ford that has been under investigation in the United States for scores of deaths as a result of "roll-overs", although it must be stressed that the particular Firestone tyres involved in these incidents were not imported on Australian-bound Explorers. Make what you will of this information, but just know that the perception of safety and security people have about big SUVs (sport utility vehicles) like the Ford Explorer is a major misconception. Also know that the Explorer is a strong and durable vehicle that has achieved the honour of being the world's best-selling 4WD, mostly because Americans seem to love them...