Name: Jonathan (Jon) Gavin
Forum Name / Link: lil_Blue_Ford
Location: Butler, PA
Year Born: 1983
Occupation: General Contractor
Hobbies: Far too many, haha! Repairing and modifying things that run, welding, photography, home brewing, reading, model railroading, model building, and more.
Vehicle Details: 1989 Bronco II choptop, 4.0l, 5-speed, 4×4 conversion, 5″ custom suspension lift, 2″ BL, 35″ tires
Also have… 1995 F-150, 4.9, 5-speed, 4×4, modified suspension, locked rear, ladder racks
1988 Bronco II Eddie Bauer, 2.9, automatic, 4×4, resto-mod
1994 F-350, 7.5, 5-speed
Future projects – 2000 Ranger ext cab, 3.0, 5-speed, 2wd – 1989 Ranger, 2.3, 5-speed, 4×4 – 2000 Ranger, 5.0, auto, AWD
How long you’ve been a member of TRS: somewhere around 2001 or early 2002 at the latest
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.