My Sponsors

I have been fortunate to have many sponsors over the years. I know that there are ‘influencers’ and ‘content creators’ out there that have no problems soliciting companies for products, but I’ve never been that guy.

It’s important to understand that for the sponsor, they see sponsoring you or your event as an investment in advertising, and they probably write that cost off as advertising as on their taxes. Advertising means they want to see their product / brand being promoted on the regular.

Some companies now offer Ambassador programs where they give you a discount as well as a discount code to share with others. In return, they expect you to post content mentioning them or their product at a set interval. So, they may want you to mention them X number of times a month.

Current TRS Ranger Sponsors

Here’s a list of companies that I consider ‘Current Sponsors’. I consider these companies / brands current sponsors because they’ve provided me with product that I still use and actively promote.

Detroit Locker – Eaton provided me with a pair of Detroit Lockers for the TRS-2 1996 Ford Ranger build back in 2004, and I still use those lockers in that truck today.

Factor55 – Provided me with two UltraHooks for the TRS 25th Anniversary. I gave one hook way as a door prize, and I use the other one on my TRS-3 2021 Ford Ranger FX4.

Fiberwerx – I purchased a set of their fiberglass front fenders for my TRS-2 1996 Ford Ranger 4×4 build, and that build was featured in a 6-parts series in Offroad Adventures Magazine (4Wheel Parts publication). They’re product was advertised in that article, and I have been showing off their fenders for over 20-years on this truck. They recently provided me with a set of bedsides that will be going on the Ranger in 2026. I proudly display their logo on my Rangers bedside.

G2 Axle & Gear – Provided me with the 4.56 gears and installation kits for my TRS-2 1996 Ford Ranger 4×4 build, and I still use those gears in that truck today.

Gibson – Provided me with one of their cat-back exhaust systems for the TRS-2 1996 Ford Ranger 4×4 when I first built it and I still use it today. but it may be coming off over the winter of 2025/2026 and replaced due to age.

Jet Performance – Jet Performance provided me with one of their Ford Modules for the TRS-2 1996 Ford Ranger build back in 2004, and I still use that module in that truck today.

LASFIT – Was a sponsor of our TRS 25th Anniversary and provided products that I gave away as door prizes as well as a Custom Bed Mat that I use in my TRS-3 2021 Ford Ranger FX4.

Maxxis Tires – Maxxis Tires provides me with a discount on their tires, and I am a big fan of their RAZR AT all-terrains. I use they Maxxis RAZT AT’s on my TRS-3 2021 Ford Ranger FX4. I proudly display their logo on the side of my hood in exchange for the discount.

Skyjacker Suspension – I have been using Skyjacker Suspension products since the 1990’s. They are my suspension of choice and have been promoting their products for decades. In 2004, Skyjacker provided the 6-Inch Class II Suspension for my TRS-2 1996 Ford Ranger 4×4 build and I still rock that suspension on that truck today. I doubt other suspension lifts (brands) would have held up this long. When I built the TRS-3 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 Skyjacker provided the 3.5-inch suspension kit. I proudly display the Skyjacker Suspension logo on the sides of both of my Ford Rangers.

Prior TRS Ranger Sponsors

BFGoodrich provided a set of their Mud Terrains when I first built the TRS-2 1996 Ford Ranger 4×4 back in 2004.

Mile Marker provided a 12K winch for TRS-2 when it was first built, but I broke it.

Cooper Tire provided me with a set of their Discoverer STT PRO tires for the ‘Loan Ranger’ 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 provided to me by Ford to use and evaluate for 6-months back in 2019. While the Ranger remained stock, I relied on the Discoverer STT PRO’s to get me through the snow, mud, and sand as well as over rocks that I encountered when I completed the Trans America Trail with it.

Thunderer Tire provided me with a set of their Trac Grip M/T mud terrain tires When I first built the TRS-3 2021 Ford Ranger FX4. They are great off-road tires, but since I do a lot of highway miles, I eventually switched to an all-terrain tire.

I would gladly use any of these brands again. The fact that I’m not currently using any of them does not suggest that there’s anything wrong with them.

My First Sponsors Were For Trail Rides

I had sponsors for trail rides before I ever had a vehicle sponsor. In fact, most product that comes from sponsors actually go to our event participants.

My first Sponsor was 4Wheel Parts who started sponsoring our trail rides back in 2002 by providing a few $50 gift certificates that I gave away to participants.

Randy’s Ring & Pinion joined as a sponsor in 2003. Yukon Gear & Axle, PTC Factory Outlets (now closed), and Pro Comp USA joined the others in 2004.

I didn’t have any trail rides in the summer of 2005, and had one in 2006, and then took a break from them until 2013. In 2013 I put together a trail ride and had sponsors from James Oaks Enterprises (my parts business at the time), Wicked Water Transfers, and RockAuto. RockAuto is also a past forum sponsor.

In 2019 I solicited sponsors for our 20th Anniversary event:

As you can see, these sponsors included:

Adventure Medical Kits

APOC Industries

Ford Motor Company

Hi-Lift Jack

LMC Truck

Nilight

Ruffstuff Specialties

Warn

And then again for our 25th Anniversary in 2024:

Those sponsors were:

Factor 55

LASFIT

LMC Truck

Warn

Thank You For Your Support

I would like to think all of my past and current sponsors. These companies did not approach me to be a sponsor; I approached them because I believe in their product. I would not promote a product that I don’t believe in or would use myself, and I appreciate their generosity and trust that they’ve placed in me to promote their products.