In September of 2025, my work is generating the most income it ever has in my career. Yet, I'm being forced to shut down my successul operation, against my will, due to one cause alone: 95% of that revenue is being stolen by piracy and copyright infringement. I've lost more than $1 million to copyright infringement in the last 15 years, and it's finally brought an end to my professional storm chasing operation. Do not be misled by the lies of infringers, anti-copyright activists and organized piracy cartels. This page is a detailed, evidenced account of my battle I had to undertake to just barely stay in business, and eventually could not overcome. It's a problem faced by all of my colleagues and most other creators in the field.
I figure it's not often that one gets to place side-by-side their old and new vehicles of an identical make and model, 9 years apart. I bought a new 2000 Ford Ranger on March 31 of that year. When I bought my Freestyle in January 2005, the truck went to my Dad in Pennsylvania, who is still driving it today. I bought another Ranger on March 1 this year, after the breakdown-prone Freestyle finally sealed its fate with a $6,000 transmission failure.
The old Ranger, now at over 9 years old and over 240,000 miles, is still going strong. I really liked my old truck - considering that, and its longevity and minimal repairs to date, made the decision to buy another Ranger an easy one. Whenever you get rid of a vehicle, there's always a little nostalgia factor of remembering the old one - so it's been nice to be able to go home every once in a while and see the 'old chase vehicle' still alive and kicking. A lot of miles, states and memorable storm chase days were had in that old truck (including three hurricanes, my first Plains storm chase expedition and the epic 2004 tornado season).
This is the first chance I've had to compare the two side-by side, so here are some photos (the old one is green, the new silver). Not much has changed with the Ranger in 9 years!
Dan,
I own a 2005 Freestyle myself. It's been a fine trouble-free vehicle for me. I think it's only fair that you mention the mileage you had on your car before you experienced your transmission failure, and that as you have stated before, you weren't sure if any of the factory recommended maintenance services had ever been performed on it. - Posted by John from TX
John, regardless of any factory maintenance, there's no question that my Freestyle's repair record was subpar. Two fuel pumps, a power steering pump, a fuel injector, and the transmission going out prior to 154,000 miles (with repairs topping $9,000) is not good by any modern vehicle standards. I expect a transmission failure at that mileage in any car, but don't expect it to cost $6 grand. It's not the transmission failure that killed my Freestyle, it was the cost to repair it. I'm glad your Freestyle has worked out better than mine did. - Posted by Dan R. from Charleston, WV
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From Dan: Please Read
To my regular readers, I offer my apologies for this heavy-handed notice. Unfortunately it has become necessary, so please bear with me!
Please don't copy/upload this site's content to social media or other web sites. Those copies have been a critical problem for me, seriously harming this site and my photography/storm chasing operation by diverting traffic, viewers, engagement and income. "Credit" and "exposure" does not benefit this site or my operation, rather they threaten my ability to cover my operating expenses. Please read my full explanation for this notice here.
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