I bought a 2002 edge a few months ago. Its a 2wd fully loaded, love it but not to excited about being only 2wd and a 3.0L. Anyone had any experience with these trucks as far as how they handle off road(as much as is possible with only 2wd) and any kind of performance upgrades like exhaust?

 

Welcome to the club. I have a 02 EDGE 2wd open diff. Powertrax makes a no-slip that installs in the carrier, which means your do not have to pull the gears avoiding the lash and other issue.
Good article on the install:
http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/powertrax_tj/
Pwertrax install article:
http://www.powertrax.com/nsoperation.html
If you do some hunting you can find it for about $400 or a 28 spline 8.8 rear, which is what you should have.
The no slip locker will help offroad, the trucks clearance is good, but without 4wd have difficulty in tough terran.
As for other mods, I have not found much after market for the 3.0.

 

I had a '99 2wd with the 3.0 litre, anda fabtech 5.5 in. lift with 31 x 10.50's and it handled fine offroad. It went everywhere I wanted it to go and never got it stuck. Had to be pretty hard on the skinny pedal a few times. I had the gibson swept side exhaust, it was the best I could find for the money as far as bolt-on's go.

 

I do know they make a supercharger for the 3.0 if you want more power but I don't recall who makes it, you'd have to do some research.

 

i have a 01 edge 2wd with a 3.0 it has a 6 inch lift on 33's and a locker with 456 gears never been stuck. yet.......