2002 Honda Rancher 4X4 Specs
by Robin Sarmiento
The 2002 Rancher is part of the utility line of all terrain vehicles sold by Honda. It came available in two trims: the base model or the ES version. You could get either trim in a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. The main difference between the two is that the ES has an active transmission control program that will choose the most appropriate gear for use whenever the driver shifts.
Engine and Transmission
Both the base and ES version of the Rancher shared the same motor. It was an air-cooled, overhead valve, dry-sump, longitudinally mounted, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with a displacement of 329 cubic centimeters. Both units had five-speed, automatic-clutch transmissions with a reverse gear. The gear management system featured in the ES trim was called Electronic Shift Program or ESP. It monitored and compiled information from four sensors. The data gathered by the sensors included engine revolutions per minute, counter shaft speed, gear position and shift spindle angle. Once an up-shift or down-shift was requested by the rider, the system would make the appropriate decision based on the data gathered and control the speed of the electric shift motor's gear and clutch engagement.
Exterior Measurements
The 2002 Rancher had length, width and height measurements of 78.1, 45 and 44.3 inches, respectively. The seat was situated 32.4 inches above the ground and it had a ground clearance of 9.7 inches. It had a wheelbase of 49.1 inches and a turning radius of 10.8 feet.
Brakes and Suspension
The 2002 Honda Rancher 4X4 had an independent double-wishbone suspension for the front, which had 5.9 inches of travel. The rear suspension comprised a swing arm with a single shock and also traveled 5.9 inches.
The front brakes comprised a triple-sealed hydraulic drum while the rear brakes had a sealed mechanical drum.
Extra Features
The engine on the 2002 Honda Rancher 4X4 was designed to produce low emissions and met California Air Resources Board off-road emissions standards of that time. The ES model had an LCD instrument panel with large readouts showing what gear was engaged, speed, total distance traveled by the vehicle, a resettable meter to allow tracking of distance on a per-trip basis and a clock. It also had LED indicators for reverse, neutral and oil temperature.
For convenience, there were large cargo racks in the front and the back with maximum payload ratings of 66 and 133 pounds, respectively. It was also capable of towing via a heavy-duty trailer hitch with a max rated capacity of 850 pounds.
The Rancher also could endure water crossings because of its snorkel-like air-intake system.
References
Writer Bio
Robin Sarmiento began writing in 2007 for ATR Kim-Eng in the Philippines, creating research reports on publicly traded companies. His clients include foreign institutional fund managers as well as local retail clients. He graduated from Ateneo De Manila University with a Bachelor of Arts in management communications.
