The first 5.0 V8 2 door Explorer in Canada

I have a Ford Explorer Sport 1999

Tell us about yourself and your love of 4x4 and off roading

I'm originally from the UK, I moved to Canada in 2009 to be with my fiance. I had a Ford Explorer back in the UK which I drove up a mountain, through a river and all over the British Isles. When I came to Canada, I wanted an Explorer Sport. I found a wrecked one in a field, which I set about rebuilding from the ground up.

What modifications have you done for your 4x4 and what are your future plans?

Completely rewired from front to back, using 4dr wiring looms
Explorer Limited Dash, steering wheel, heated leather front seats, centre console.
Heated Mirrors with puddle lights
3" Body Lift
5.0 V8 Conversion
Warrior Shackles with torsion twist up front
4dr Rear leaf spring pack
4dr rear bumper with back up sensors
Smoked tail lights
Halo projector headlights with HID bulbs
Smittybilt bull bar with twin 6" spotlights
4 5" spotlights on roofbar
33" Federal Couragia M/T tires

What is most challenging when lifting your 4x4 truck?

There is only 1 manufacturer that makes a lift kit for this vehicle and it's expensive and the nearest distributor is a 6hr drive away.

Where do you go wheeling and what is the terrain like?

I like to go wheeling in various places, I like the back country out here, and the mud!!

Other info you would like to share

I initially paid $700 for the truck delivered to my door... after I cleared out all the snow and broken glass,

I set about removing all of the salvage parts and garbage and repairing the damage. I parked it in the garden while I was rebuilding the engine that I was going to use and it was targeted by vandals and trashed.

I had to clear out all the snow and broken glass again.

The damage that was done inside left the dashboard beyond repair, so that was then I decided to completely strip the Explorer and start over from scratch. I also decided to ditch the 4.0 V6 that I was rebuilding and fit the 5.0 V8 instead.

Once the project was assembled, it started with the first turn of the key.

It was also the first 5.0 V8 2 door Explorer in Canada.

Simon
Saskatchewan, Canada