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Here's the newest member of the family...the truck I mean...Oliver our English Spinger Spaniel has been around for 4 years. The truck is a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport...it has every power option and 97,500km. Probably won't do much to it since I broke one bank and robbed another to get it. I bought it a couple days ago(April 11/05) up in Barrie and now my dad has installed my hand controls from the ol' Tracker so I am mobile.

It came with Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires sized 255/70/16. They measure 30.1 inches tall. A pretty good tire for a little of everything. They're actually replacements for the Firestone Wilderness A/T's that had all the problems.

After owning it for about 8 months I've done a few things to it.

Modifications-Didn't think I'd do anything to it...I was wrong :-)

**Installed GE Nighthawk Headlamps today(May 17/05)...$26 each from Canadian Tire

**Installed a trailer hitch ball and new wiper blades today(May 23/05)from PartSource...about $40 for all of it.

**Installed a Cherokee CB radio with a 4' Larson whip antenna today(May 26/05) by Durham Radio in Whitby...If you need something CB radio associated give'em a call...their number is (905)665-5466. Install and antenna cost me $186 with tax.

**Had my stepbars treated with Line-X today(July 11/05). $172 from the local Line-X dealer.

**Installed a K&N air filter today(July 21/05). It was $92 plus tax from Performance Improvements in Oshawa.

**Installed a chrome grille off a 2000 Explorer today(September 9/05).

**Installed a new set of hand controls today(October 23/05). The work was done by Kino Mobility. The new controls are identical to what I had previously.

**Installed a Westin Safari Bar with Explorer ProComp 100W lights, Westin tail-light guards, TrailFX bug deflector and side window rainguards. Everything came from Monroe Auto Glass and Custom Tint in Oshawa ON. Talk to Jim. The offroad lights are INCREDIBLE!!!!!

**Installed 4 new Goodyear Wrangler A/T D2's from Sam's Club.

My communications system consists of a 40 channel Cherokee CB radio and a Nokia 2275 cellphone with a handsfree microphone/earphone that clips to my ear.

This my Larsen 4' antenna and it works great! I can receive and transmit from a long way off. I overheard a conversation one day between two drivers on Highway 41 somewhere in West Arkansas. It's mounted to the fender with a custom bracket...no more scratches to the paint caused by the magnetic base mounted on my roof.

Someone had a question about the antenna base and how it's attached so here it is. I was out in the bush today..June 10..and my shorter regular radio antenna hit more branches than my 4'er did...figure that one out...

Added this so I could pull a trailer. I'd like to pull a horse trailer or fishing boat someday. *NOTE* Forget the horse trailer, I have a teardrop camper trailer to tow now.

This install was done professionally and I think it's much cleaner than the previous DIY job. This is kind of a unique modification...hand controls...you'll see why I need'em in the next few pics. You'll have to look closely at the picture but they're mounted underneath the steering column. There is a handle on the left side...when you twist it, it operates the throttle the same as a motorcycle. You can see the tie-rod linked to the brake pedal, all I have to do to operate the brake is push forward on the handle which pushes the pedal down to stop the vehicle. My other hand stays on the steering wheel of course.

This is new as well...a spinner knob...as far as I know they're not legal now except for the disabled...truckers used to use them. As well I have some special function buttons...I didn't have these previously. *NOTE* Got rid of the multifunction spinner knob cause it was a PAIN IN THE ASS!!!

My new grille. I found it at a swap meet for $60. I think it looks much better than the white one that came stock. I think it gives it a little bit of flash. It's a pretty good little mod if I do say so myself.

Here's my new Westin Safari Bar with 100W Explorer ProComp Lights and TrailFX bug deflector.

Another view of my front end

Here's my new Westin Tail-light Guards

Assorted Pictures

The ultimate wheelchair...yes I use a 'chair cause I have Spina Bifida...ask me about the SB if you want. I put knobby tires on it and custom fabricated fenders made out of aluminum. I don't weld...I had a guy from town do it. Tires are 24x1.95 but I'm going to be changing them for some 24x2.10's for more bite 'cause I don't spend a whole lot of time on pavement. :-) I've added the new tires today(June 21/05). I'll be out tomorrow testing out the new tires. Tested and impressed with them!! Recently I took off the aluminum fenders and replaced them with plexiglass ones. The chair is much lighter now which makes it easier to get it in and out of my truck. *NOTE*The tires have been replaced again with a more modest BMX tire and they're AMAZING!!!!

SOLD!
A friend of my Dad's bought it for his daughters. It was good to me...lots of adventures...had it almost two years.

It's a 1995 Geo Tracker 4x4 and it may not look like much but it got the job done. I rolled it in the winter of 2004...a 3/4 ton Dodge rolled me back over and I drove it home with 2 tires blown off their rims and lots of crumpled metal. After much blood, sweat, tears and $1500 it's as good as new. Thanks DAD! Let me tell ya it's tough. I can drive thru 3 feet of snow and climb hills that would scare most drivers who have stock Trackers. I've upgraded the tires to 215/75/15 BFGoodrich LongTrail T/A's from the stock Goodyear Wrangler 205/75/15's. I planned lots more upgrades but funds never allowed it. It did have a K&N air filter though.

A cowboy who's gone but not forgotten...whatever he did be it in the rodeo arena or with guitar in hand...in the end he's set an example for us to follow.