Founded in 1999 by Jim Oaks, The Ranger Station began as a passion project and quickly grew into the largest and longest-running online resource dedicated to Ford Ranger trucks. What started as a collection of tech articles, how-to guides, and forum discussions has evolved into a thriving community, inspiring enthusiasts across the country to modify, build, and explore with their Ford Rangers and Bronco IIs.

Our Roots: From Geocities to Global Community

Jim launched the site in 1999 on Geocities using a subdomain of www.therangerstation.cjb.net. Then migrated through platforms like Xoom, Homestead, and finally registered therangerstation.com in 2000. Over the years the forum platform evolved—from YaBB to vBulletin, including a reboot in 2007 when the original forum database was lost, and finally to Xenforo.

Built from the Garage Up

Long before TRS became an institution, Jim Oaks was already deeply immersed in the world of Ford Rangers. He built his first Ranger—a 1983 model—with a lift kit, 33-inch tires, and a 302 V8 swap dubbed TRS-1, paving the way for what would become a life-long dedication. That Ranger eventually gained national recognition when it was featured in Off-Road Adventures Magazine.

By 2004, Jim had built a second standout truck: a 1996 Ford Ranger dubbed TRS-2, which was chronicled in a six-part build series in Off-Road Adventures Magazine as ‘Project Transformer’. These builds weren’t just weekend projects—they were a reflection of the same hands-on knowledge and passion that continues to define the TRS community today.

The Ford Ranger FX4 and Ford Motor Company

Ford engineers contacted Jim Oaks and asked him what modifications Ford Ranger enthusiasts made to their trucks to enhance their off-road ability. This led to the FX4 package on the Ford Ranger. On September 7, 2001, Jim and a few forum members actually got to drive the prototype FX4 and see it in action during a trail ride in Wellsville Ohio. The engineer he was communicating with brought it to the trail ride. This was well before the FX4 ever hit the dealerships. You can see more about that event HERE.

Return of The Ranger and Ford Motor Company

On January 14, 2018, Jim Oaks and The Ranger Station forum staff members Bobby Walter III (bobbywalter), Caleb Johnson (fastpakr), Anson J. Nichols (97RangerXLT), and Justin Russell (85_Ranger4x4) traveled to Detroit Michigan at the invitation of Ford to witness the debut of the all new 2019 Ford Ranger, stay at the The Henry Hotel, and attend the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The Loan Ranger and Ford Motor Company

In 2019, Ford Motor Company took notice of Jim’s efforts and loaned him a brand-new 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 for six months. Nicknamed the Loan Ranger, the truck was used to complete the Trans America Trail and other adventures. Articles, forum threads, and social media updates documented the entire experience, bridging the gap between Ford’s latest innovations and the grassroots TRS community. At the end of that loan, Jim Oaks submitted recommendations to Ford stating that there should be an off-road package above the FX4 and recommended changes. Those recommendations can be found in the Ford Ranger Tremor.

This unique partnership was a major milestone for TRS, validating its influence and cementing its place in the Ford enthusiast world.

In the Spotlight

The Ranger Station has been featured in multiple print and online publications. Aside from Off-Road Adventures Magazine, the community has been recognized in local news stories, enthusiast blogs, and has inspired countless similar online communities.

Notable appearances:

  • 4×4 Power magazine: Jim Oaks & TRS was listed as a resource in the July 2000 article ‘4×4 Blueprinting – ’83-’97 Ford Ranger’
  • Off-Road Adventures Magazine:  Covered our 2003 trail ride in the October/November issue called ‘Return To Wellsville’.
  • Off-Road Adventures Magazine: Jim Oaks’ 1983 Ranger was featured in the December 2003 issue ‘Practical Ranger’.
  • Off-Road Adventures Magazine: Covered our 2004 Snowball run and printed it in the January 2005 issue under the title ‘Mudsicle’.
  • Project Transformer: Featured in a six-part build series in Off-Road Adventures Magazine.
  • TRS Forum Builds: Shared in various social media channels and enthusiast roundups.
  • Loan Ranger: Covered by Ford and followed by enthusiasts online and in print.
  • March 2010 Trucks TV: TRS was mentioned on Power Blocks “Trucks” TV show.
  • 2011 Associated Press: Jim Oaks was quoted by the Associated Press about the end of the Ford Ranger production

When Ford Tried to Sue Us

As The Ranger Station grew, the cost to host it increased. Jim Oaks offset that cost by selling vinyl stickers. A few of those stickers had the Ford Logo on them. In 2008, The Ranger Station came under attack by Ford. Actually, it was a law firm representing Ford that was demanding The Ranger Station’s URL, and $5,000 in damages. They also wanted to know how many decals had been sold. The law firm claimed that The Ranger station didn’t have a license to sell items with the Ford logo and couldn’t use photos on the website of Ford products. Jim asked The Ranger Station forum members to send an email to Ford and asked them to reconsider. The situation went viral quickly and was quickly extinguished by Ford’s Social Media Strategists Scott Monty. Scott Monty and Jim Oaks discussed how the situation came to be, and Mr. Monty was able to work out a resolution between Jim and Ford. While Jim did have an account with Ford media to access the photos, he didn’t have a license to sell anything with the Ford logo.

The incident only strengthened TRS’s resolve and community support, turning a legal threat into a badge of honor.

To this day, TRS remains online, stronger than ever, and serves as a case study in enthusiast dedication and independent brand building.

This event actually made the Wall Street Journal and was later written as a social media guide for business executives. A pdf example of it can be found ‘The Ranger Station Fire’.

Logo Evolution & Slogans

The TRS logo has gone through several changes over the years, each one reflecting the era and style of its audience. In the beginning The Ranger Station just used large text in the header that said, ‘The Ranger Station’.

The actual TRS logo was first used in the beginning of 2002. It has since progressed to the logo you see today.

Slogans over the years:

  • “For The Ultimate Off-Road Ranger” (1999)
  • “The Ultimate Ranger Resource” (2001)
  • “Because real trucks are built….not bought!” (Secondary slogan 2002)
  • “The ‘Original’ Ultimate Ranger Resource!” (2004)
  • “Serving Ranger, Bronco II, Explorer and Mazda B-Series Enthusiasts” (Secondary Slogan change 2004)
  • “Serving Ranger, Bronco II, Explorer & Mazda B-Series Owners Since 1999” (2007)

Each slogan has reflected TRS’s goal: to inform, empower, and unite Ranger enthusiasts.

Built by Enthusiasts, for Enthusiasts

Over the past two decades, TRS has:

  • Hosted countless off-road events and meetups
  • Created one of the most detailed Ford Ranger tech libraries on the internet
  • Grown a forum with thousands of members and decades of build history
  • Helped owners complete their first mods, engine swaps, or overland expeditions

Through every generation of the Ford Ranger—from the first boxy 1983 model to the current 2025 next-gen platform—TRS has remained a trusted guide.

The Legacy Continues

TRS isn’t just a website; it’s a movement. It’s where new Ranger owners come to learn, and where veterans return to share. With continued content updates, expanded how-to coverage, and a tight-knit forum community, The Ranger Station is set to continue its mission for years to come.

Want to get involved?

Because building a Ranger isn’t just about the parts—it’s about the people who help you put them together.

The Ranger Station is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company. We are an independent resource built by owners, for owners. Ford® and Ranger® are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.

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Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford off-road and enthusiast space. In 2019, he was loaned a Ranger FX4 by Ford Motor Company to test and document across the TransAmerica Trail. Jim continues to inspire and guide Ranger owners around the world.