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Uncle Gump
Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2018
- Messages
- 13,963
- Reaction score
- 13,452
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Ottawa IL
- Vehicle Year
- 2006/1986
- Make / Model
- Ranger/BroncoII
- Engine Size
- 4.0L SOHC/2.9L
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- My credo
- Lead follow or get out of my way
I spent the mass majority of my life in the mitten state. I moved away about 6 years ago, to the Chicago area, but all I want to do is get back. Chicago has been fairly good to us, but a plan has been made to cash out of the house and our pizza business that does pretty well and make that dream a reality.
I'm a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute in 1981 and spent my entire career in the automotive industry (until I bought a pizza place... what was I thinking!). From technician to service manager to business owner (dune buggy shop) to several positions in engineering with all of the big 3.
I bought my first Ranger brand new in 88. Standard cab short box 2.3L 5 speed. I proceeded to put 230k on it. During that time I had been gathering parts to do a 302 AOD conversion. I completed that in 94 then put another 70k after the swap and had an accident. I sure do miss that truck. But since that time I have always had at least one Ranger in my driveway... most of the time... two. I currently have two. My 94 4x4 4.0L 5 speed with a 84 7 foot skamper. I call it my camper special. There has been many a road trip to deer camps, steelhead fishing and just camping weekends. Unfortunately, it is falling apart in chunks. The curse of the north where it has lived it's entire life has caught up to it. Last year, after months of searching, I found a low mileage 06 extended cab 4x4 sport. 4.0L auto 8.8 with 4.10 gears, so I took the plunge again (this makes number 11 for me). This truck is pretty clean and a clean slate (no modification except a radio and remote start). I am in the planning stages of where she goes from here. I have no aspirations to mud bog, rock climb, tuff truck or anything of that sort. I'm leaning towards an overland rig that will get me to all the places I want to be and out of some places I don't.
I have used this site for reference and inspiration probably since it's creation. I think I even had a log in at one point but I don't remember. However... it's now official... I'm a member. I even had my new TRS shirt and sticker in the mailbox when I got home yesterday.
Thanks Jim for your vision... the staff for maintaining a level of civility... and all the members that share their adventures, builds and knowledge. In my humble opinion... hands down... this is the best Ranger resource on the internet.
Uncle Gump
I'm a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute in 1981 and spent my entire career in the automotive industry (until I bought a pizza place... what was I thinking!). From technician to service manager to business owner (dune buggy shop) to several positions in engineering with all of the big 3.
I bought my first Ranger brand new in 88. Standard cab short box 2.3L 5 speed. I proceeded to put 230k on it. During that time I had been gathering parts to do a 302 AOD conversion. I completed that in 94 then put another 70k after the swap and had an accident. I sure do miss that truck. But since that time I have always had at least one Ranger in my driveway... most of the time... two. I currently have two. My 94 4x4 4.0L 5 speed with a 84 7 foot skamper. I call it my camper special. There has been many a road trip to deer camps, steelhead fishing and just camping weekends. Unfortunately, it is falling apart in chunks. The curse of the north where it has lived it's entire life has caught up to it. Last year, after months of searching, I found a low mileage 06 extended cab 4x4 sport. 4.0L auto 8.8 with 4.10 gears, so I took the plunge again (this makes number 11 for me). This truck is pretty clean and a clean slate (no modification except a radio and remote start). I am in the planning stages of where she goes from here. I have no aspirations to mud bog, rock climb, tuff truck or anything of that sort. I'm leaning towards an overland rig that will get me to all the places I want to be and out of some places I don't.
I have used this site for reference and inspiration probably since it's creation. I think I even had a log in at one point but I don't remember. However... it's now official... I'm a member. I even had my new TRS shirt and sticker in the mailbox when I got home yesterday.
Thanks Jim for your vision... the staff for maintaining a level of civility... and all the members that share their adventures, builds and knowledge. In my humble opinion... hands down... this is the best Ranger resource on the internet.
Uncle Gump
