Name: Justin Russell
Forum Name / Link: 85_Ranger4x4
What Do You Do Here: Forum Moderator / Event Staff
Location: Stanton, Iowa
Year Born: 1984
Occupation: Ag Repair Parts Manager
Vehicle Details: 1985 Ford Ranger Custom 4×4. ’87 302, Edelbrock 4bbl, M5ODR2 transmission, twin stick NP-205, 3″BL, ’96 Explorer 8.8 3.73TL, ’95 Ranger D35.
How long you’ve been a member of TRS: Since 2002. Moderator since 2017.
Brief Biography: I have a small farmstead in rural Iowa where I farm with vintage farm equipment and work on my 1985 Ford Ranger that I got my sophomore year of high school… in 2000. I also have two kids, my oldest is into everything Ford Ranger, off-roading and camping.
Any certifications, qualifications, or education worth noting? I have a Manufacturing Engineering degree with experience in R&D and automotive/ag/heavy truck part sales.
How did you first get into Ford Rangers or off-roading? A farmer came into my dad’s ag repair shop with a little Ford Ranger that was an interesting green. It also had a “For Sale” sign in the back window… and the rest is history.
What specific areas of expertise or interest do you bring to TRS? I really like my First Gen Ranger. I have done a lot of research on it and work to mine. I have swapped everything but the frame and body… and I have a different bed yet to put on it. I have dabbled in everything but paint/bodywork so far and I intend to earn that merit badge as well. Trying to keep it period correct looking adds a significant level of difficultly… which to me adds to the fun of it.
What kind of Ranger(s) (or Bronco II, Explorer, etc.) do you currently own or have owned in the past? I’ve only ever had one, my current 1985 Ranger.
Favorite mod or upgrade you’ve ever done? V8 swap, after getting a reliable powerplant in it many more possibilities opened up. Both in the form of more mods and even long-distance travel.
Most memorable off-road trip or experience? 2024 Vagabond trip to run a section the Kentucky Adventure Trail with my then 4yo son.
One piece of advice you’d give to a new Ranger owner: Go slow, don’t rush into doing something you may regret later. Don’t give up the ship.
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.