Glenn

[Lefty]

I've spent a pretty penny on my '03 Ford Ranger Edge: pulled the bed off and sandblasted the frame, repainted it with POR 15, replaced the rusty stuff on the top side, had it painted too. And thanks to this forum, I've been able to get it running just like new. I go to the Upull Yard often and bring along a shopping list replacing the old and worn with something that looks brand new. For some strange reason, i haven't been able to find a decent vintage stock radio so I went to see my friend Glenn.

He worked on the Ranger assembly line for decades here in Saint Paul. When he retired, he became a shade tree mechanic, restoring Rangers for friends. Glenn has a scrapbook filled with photos. All those trucks look brand new. His garage is filled with old Ranger parts. He had fog lights for my buddy, key fobs too. He gave me a 2003 owner's manual and a number of other little things. Among them was and old Twin Cities assembly line decal. I'm kind of a restoration nerd, I guess. I want everything just the way it once was. Glenn made my day!

After he got the new radio installed he said, "You have no door stops inside the door jambs." He went back into the garage and returned with two rubber stops. What can I say? Only Glenn would have noticed a detail as small as that. And bless his heart! He's spent half his life putting Rangers on the road and the other half keeping those same trucks in perfect shape.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Cool story... we all need a Glenn around the corner.

I also moved this to the general discussion forum. It was started in the 2019 and newer forum.

 

[97RangerXLT]

tell Glenn to join TRS!

 

[Lefty]

Cool story... we all need a Glenn around the corner.

I also moved this to the general discussion forum. It was started in the 2019 and newer forum.

Thanks Uncle Gump. Yup. We all need a Glenn.

 

[Lefty]

tell Glenn to join TRS!

Actually I did. He just wasn't interested. I think maybe he doesn't want to eat, sleep, and drink Ford Rangers. I don't know why.

On another occasion I introduced him to a fairly knowledgeable friend with a 2002 Edge. The Check-Engine light was on. Glenn offered a diagnosis without even plugging anything in.

"Just cut this wire," he said. "It doesn't really do anything." Sure enough, he was right.

 

[Lefty]

There was once a time when Rangers were a common sight when the assembly plant was up and running here in Saint, but the plant is closed. Fewer people buy the newer models.

 

[superj]

Rangers are all pver the place here. As vehicles age, they get closer to Mexico so i see them a lot more

 

[sgtsandman]

There are quite a few still on the road here. Mine was built in Twin Cities. I remember seeing a "Made in the USA" sticker on my 2019 but I forget where. Nice to be able to still get at least some things built in the US.

 

[Lefty]

There are quite a few still on the road here. Mine was built in Twin Cities. I remember seeing a "Made in the USA" sticker on my 2019 but I forget where. Nice to be able to still get at least some things built in the US.

Exactly! It's also sad to see so many who were turned out to pasture. Maybe it was a job for most, but it was also a passion for many who took great pride in what they did.

A couple of my friends own Rangers. We help each other out. Sometimes when we get lost, the question comes up, "what would Glenn do?"

If any of you are interested, he's selling off his parts. He's got key fobs, several radios, a couple fenders, and a couple diagnostic tools. Most of the rest are small items. You would have to come to Saint Paul to pick them up. I will give you his number.