Where's my cargo net??

Question:

I used to have a ‘96 Explorer Sport.  Just recently I purchased a ‘99 Sport.  It’s been a couple of cars ago, but I could swear that my ‘96 had a cargo net running across the back.  My ‘99 does not have a net and I don’t see anyplace to put one.  It came in really handy for putting groceries, toolkits, etc…  and I was just wondering if anyone knows if you can even put one in the ‘99.  If so, where should I look to order one?  Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA. Kirk

Response:

> I used to have a ‘96 Explorer Sport.  Just recently I purchased a ‘99 > Sport.  It’s been a couple of cars ago, but I could swear that my ‘96 > had a cargo net running across the back.  My ‘99 does not have a net > and I don’t see anyplace to put one.  It came in really handy for > putting groceries, toolkits, etc…  and I was just wondering if > anyone knows if you can even put one in the ‘99.  If so, where should > I look to order one?  Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated. > TIA.

Ford stopped offering the cargo net as standard equipment in ‘97 or ‘98 (I forget which).  Instead it was offered as an extra "accessory" (along with other things they sale such as ski rack, bike rack, etc.)  I believe the reason they stopped giving them out was one those cost-cutting things after "research" and customer surveys showed that the majority of people couldn’t care less about them.  (Along with the light in the glove box, lights inside the bottom of the door panels, locking glove box, etc.).  I have a ‘98 Sport that came without the net, but there were still four tie down hooks in the cargo area for one.  I was able to buy the net separately from my dealer’s Parts Department for 30-some dollars.  I remember reading a few posts this past year or so saying that Ford doesn’t even offer it for sale as a separate "accesssory" anymore, though.  Maybe that fact would be the explaination for if your new Explorer doesn’t even have the tie down hooks. (i.e., why bother  still install the hooks if there was no way to obtain a net for them anymore).  I remember searching various autoparts stores for a third-party net but never found one the right size that matched the hooks. I actually had to go and get the genuine Ford one because it was custom sized for the hooks.

Response:

<<I remember reading a few posts this past year or so saying that Ford doesn’t even offer it for sale as a separate "accesssory" anymore, though.  Maybe that fact would be the explaination for if your new Explorer doesn’t even have the tie down hooks.>> I picked up a accessory catalog from my Ford dealer on Friday which has accessories for the Explorer, Expedition and Excursion and it has a cargo net for the Explorer for about $30.  SInce I will pick up my 00 XLT early this week (waiting on a check from my broker) I can’t comment on whether the new ones have the hooks.  I didn’t notice them, but I honestly wasn’t looking for them. Dave Ramage

Response:

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