JAKE’S TRUCK

A dark gray Ford Ranger pickup truck with large, rugged tires parked on a gravel driveway next to green grass and trees. The truck has a boat loaded in the truck bed.

Jake really loved his 1993 Ford Ranger!  His dad taught him how to drive a stick in the high school parking lot the night after driving all over southeast PA to find it!  Jake practiced a little more on his own and then drove it 4 hours in the middle of the night to Slippery Rock, where he slept in the parking lot of the stadium to attend his first day of football camp! 

He really loved his truck and was constantly working on it to keep it running!  Jake had dreams of fixing it up and using it on his land some day…We have decided to keep Jake’s truck and turn it into something special!  Jake’s Uncle Mike Smits (aka Ratrod Mike) took on the project and we are honored. 

Jake’s Truck is a metaphor of how something that was once strong, but has been worn down over time can be restored to greatness once again with the help of many! We can lift this weight together!!

We want to thank everyone who has helped by donating time, parts, and money to make Jake’s truck a reality!

Jake’s truck when it arrived at his Uncle Mike’s garage.

A gray pickup truck with large off-road tires is on a hydraulic lift inside a garage or workshop.
Front view of a lifted Ford truck inside a garage, showing large off-road tires, suspension, and partial undercarriage.

Building the new bumpers, tire mount, and side steps.

A metal cutout with the number 27 inside a honeycomb pattern is being processed by a CNC machine in a workshop.
Workshop with a partially assembled car bumper on wooden blocks. Surrounding tools and equipment include a level, pliers, washers, and various other mechanical parts. Tight chairs and a whiteboard with a graph are in the background.
Metal frame of a vehicle dashboard with an electric motor, surrounded by tools, wires, and screws on a concrete floor in a workshop.
A workshop workspace with automotive parts and tools, including a partially assembled metallic structure, a screwdriver, a power drill, and various wires, cables, and equipment scattered on the concrete floor.
A metal bumper or frame component with loops and hooks, placed on a wooden pallet on a workbench in a garage or workshop. Various tools, containers, and equipment are visible in the background.
Metal framework and handlebars of a partially assembled off-road or racing vehicle inside a workshop, with tools and storage cabinets in the background.
Metal frame structure, possibly a roll cage, on a workshop floor with tools and storage bins in the background.
A welding robot welding a metal sheet, generating sparks during the process.
A gray pickup truck with off-road modifications, large tires, a front brush guard, and four roof-mounted lights parked on grass with trees in the background.

Here is what the new bumpers, tire mount, lights and side steps will look like!

Blue pickup truck with large off-road tires, parked on grass with trees in background.
A modified pickup truck with off-road tires, a spare tire in the truck bed, and additional lights on the roof, parked on a grassy area with trees in the background.
A dark gray pickup truck with off-road modifications, large tires, a front bumper guard, and four auxiliary lights on the roof, parked on a grassy field with trees in the background.
A close-up of a car's side with a metallic side step below the door, casting a shadow on the ground.
An old, dusty gray Ford pickup truck with a black bug deflector on the hood, parked inside a garage or workshop with various tools and equipment around.
Close-up of a Ford vehicle with a custom front bumper and winch, in a workshop with tools and cables hanging on the wall
The image shows the rear view of a gray Ford pickup truck with large off-road tires, elevated on a hydraulic lift inside a garage or workshop with various tools and equipment in the background.
View of the front of an off-road race vehicle with a spare tire, four lights, and a custom metal grille over the hood, parked on grass.

The cab was gutted so that the rust could be removed, repaired and the interior completely redone from the electrical panel to the seats.

The seats are going to be reupholstered and will have Jake’s artwork embroidered on them.

The image shows a close-up view of a vintage ice cream truck with a sticker that says 'The Torch' and '1889'. The truck's interior area with various tools and supplies, including a yellow power cord, is visible through the window.
A man wearing a gray cap, glasses, and a black shirt is working on the interior of a damaged vehicle, with the dashboard and steering column removed, revealing wires and mechanical parts inside the car.
A mechanic working on the interior of a car inside a garage, with the dashboard and windshield removed, exposing the wiring and frame, while wearing a cap and gloves.
Inside a workshop with a vehicle chassis being repaired. The cab of a pickup truck is partially disassembled and mounted on a lift. The surrounding area has various tools, equipment, and supplies.
The image shows a partially disassembled vehicle inside a workshop, with the interior and engine components removed, exposing the frame and suspension.
A car dashboard cluster with gauges for fuel, speed, RPM, and temperature, placed on a wooden surface in front of a wooden chair with vertical spindles.
Workstation with electronic components and tools, including a disassembled device with wires, a cordless drill, screwdrivers, a tape measure, and various small parts on the table and surrounding area.
An industrial workspace with a metal rolling shutter door, various tools and equipment, a box for car speakers, a red hydraulic jack, a white work sheet with handwritten notes, a black plastic container, and a paper carton of orange juice.
Digital dashboard display showing 12.6 volts, 0 oil, 22 temperature, 0 fuel, 0 speed, and 6000 RPM, with a background of a workshop setting and handwritten notes on paper underneath.

Jake’s engine and transmission ended up needing to be replaced. A very tough decision had to be made and we ended up deciding to upgrade to a 5.3 L.S, but Mike was able to also locate a manual transmission to keep the truck stick shift, which Jake loved.

We found an engine that would work perfectly from a red suburban and Mike picked it up with his “Rat Rod Short Bus.”

Mike parted out the truck and when he was taking off the dashboard there was something rattling inside…

3 coins… a quarter and 2 pennies and nothing else…

EXACTLY 27 cents!!

A rusty, converted school bus with a weathered appearance, painted to resemble a toasted snack, parked on grass. A red SUV is on a flatbed trailer attached to the bus. Several other vehicles are visible in the background, with a wooded area behind.
Three U.S. coins, including a quarter, a dime, and a nickel, held by a person. The background shows part of a sign with text about cured smoked honey and ham.

Taking the truck down to the frame.

An off-road vehicle under construction or repair in a garage, with large tires and visible suspension components, being lifted or secured with yellow straps and chains.
Interior of an auto repair shop with a partially disassembled off-road vehicle, tools, and red toolboxes on shelves in the background.
A person welding on the front of a vehicle frame inside a workshop, with a large off-road tire in the foreground.
An unfinished off-road vehicle chassis with large tires in a workshop, surrounded by tools and equipment.
A partially disassembled off-road vehicle chassis in a workshop, with large tires, red suspension spring, and various tools and parts on shelves in the background.

Fitting the new engine in the frame.

Indoor workshop with vehicle chassis and engine parts, a tire, and various tools. A sign with
A man in a gray shirt, soccer cap, and shorts is kneeling and working on the front of a partially disassembled vehicle inside a large workshop or garage. The vehicle is elevated with a red overhead crane, with visible parts such as the engine and chassis. There are chairs, tools, and equipment around, and another person is working on the vehicle in the background. The workshop has a high, arched metal roof with overhead lighting.
The image shows the engine bay of a vehicle that is in the process of being repaired or restored. The engine has been removed, exposing the empty engine compartment with various disconnected wires and components. The vehicle's front tires are visible, as well as some rusted metal parts and a pair of gloved hands nearby, working on the vehicle.
Three men work on restoring an old, rusted car inside a garage filled with tools and equipment. The car's body is exposed without a hood, revealing its engine compartment. A large red overhead lifting frame is positioned above the car.
Three men are working together in a garage or workshop to lift and possibly repair a disassembled car, with the front of the car missing its engine and parts. They are using a lifting device and chains to support the car's frame.
Close-up of a stripped-down vehicle's engine bay with the body removed, showing the windshield, dashboard, and engine components, in a garage.
An off-road vehicle with a partially disassembled body being worked on in a garage, with a red lifting beam overhead and large aggressive tires.
Inner front frame of a vehicle with rusted metal, removed parts, and a visible engine in the background
Front view of a vehicle chassis in a garage, with large off-road tires and an engine mounted in the front. The vehicle's body panels are removed, revealing the engine, suspension, and other mechanical components.
A partially disassembled off-road vehicle in a workshop, with the front panel removed, exposing the engine bay and suspension components, surrounded by tools and equipment.
A car in a garage or workshop under repair, with its front end disassembled and an radiator visible. The workspace is cluttered with tools, equipment, and car parts, with pegboard on the wall holding various tools and supplies.
An automotive repair shop with a work-in-progress vehicle frame, exposing the radiator and engine mounts, surrounded by tools, parts, and supplies, and a workbench in the background.
Car frame or chassis part placed on a wooden block on a gravel surface, with tools and a yellow extension cord nearby.

New truck bed.

Yellow and black vehicle door lying on gravelly ground with grass. A person wearing pink shirt and blue shorts is partially visible on the right side.
A cluttered outdoor junkyard with vintage cars, car parts, and scattered tools among tall grass and trees.

Picked the engine up from the machine shop!

Two men are working together to remove a motorcycle engine covered in plastic wrap from a trailer. They are using a wooden block to stabilize the engine.
A man is measuring and securing a large object wrapped in plastic on a flatbed cart with a yellow strap. The object appears to be part of a vehicle or mechanical equipment. The setting is a workshop or garage with shelves filled with tools and supplies.
Two men are working together on a trailer, handling a large engine wrapped in a plastic cover. One man is wearing a black shirt and a bandana, while the other is in a dark jacket and cap. They are positioning the engine onto a tire that is inside the trailer.

Jake’s truck needed to have body work done on it. Jimmy’s Uncle David, who has done autobody work for over 50 years, was the perfect person to work on the truck!

Borrowing a trailer and truck, Jake’s truck traveled up to Pennsylvania.

A partially assembled vintage pickup truck with large off-road tires on a flatbed trailer, with two men nearby; one talking on the phone. The truck's body is painted yellow with a red patch on the side, and the engine and interior are not installed.
A partially disassembled pickup truck with a yellow and red body, mounted on a trailer, being worked on by two people outdoors. There is a silver GMC truck and various tools and equipment nearby, with a metal shed and trees in the background.
An unfinished black vehicle, possibly a military or off-road vehicle, on a trailer in an outdoor setting with other vintage cars visible in the background, overcast sky, and trees.
View from inside a vehicle looking through the rear window at a traffic scene. A yellow dump truck is directly behind the vehicle, with a silver car approaching from the front. Rain or dirt spots are visible on the rear window. Trees and highway signs are in the background.
Side mirror reflecting a cloudy sky and trees, with a yellow truck visible on the road, and the warning text 'Objects in mirror are closer than they appear' at the bottom of the mirror.
A yellow and black pickup truck cab is being transported on a flatbed trailer. The truck is missing its front body panels, exposing the engine compartment and internal parts. The trailer is secured with straps, and there are trees, a shed, and gray trash bins in the background on a cloudy day.

Front panels and doors are painted!!

Many hours of hard put into them to look amazing!

A white vehicle fender with a 'RANGER' badge is placed on a brown upholstered chair, surrounded by gray fabric and other objects in an indoor environment with glass doors and metal frame structures in the background.
A close-up of a white plastic or metal object with holes and a curved shape, placed on a green surface. In the background, there is a towel with yellow and black text, a clipboard, and some papers.
An auto body panel, probably from a car door, is placed on a black surface and mounted to a wall. There are black foam blocks at the top corners of the panel. The panel is white and appears to be in the process of being painted or repaired.
Disassembled white car parts, including a door and a fender, arranged on a carpeted floor near a gray couch.

Getting some work done on the frame and under the hood!

Partial view of a yellow pickup truck with no bed, parked on a gravel driveway next to a white house and a metal shed, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A partially disassembled off-road vehicle with large tires, exposed engine area, and visible suspension components, parked outdoors on a gravel surface.
A man wearing a cap, glasses, and a light blue shirt is working on a disassembled vehicle, inspecting or repairing the engine or front part of the car in a garage or backyard with a gray metal house siding in the background.
A man working on a vehicle chassis outdoors near a gray shed, with a red coil spring and some tools nearby.
A man working on a vehicle frame outdoors on a gravel surface, with large off-road tires, wearing a cap and casual clothes, smiling at the camera.
Close-up of a partially disassembled vehicle with the hood removed, revealing engine components, parked outdoors with trees and a person reflected in the windshield.
A woman with tattoos and glasses working on a car engine outside near a beige house with a gray roof, under a blue sky with some clouds, surrounded by green trees and grass.
A woman working on a damaged car in a backyard. The car's front is stripped down to the frame and engine, with tools and parts nearby. She is wearing sunglasses and a white shirt with a butterfly and floral design.
A man working on the front suspension of a vehicle outdoors. The vehicle's body panels are removed, exposing the suspension and wheel. The man is wearing a dark shirt, jeans, and a cap, and is bent over, focused on a task. There are trees and a grassy area in the background.
A man wearing a hat and mask working on a damaged off-road vehicle with a lifted suspension, remote terrain, trees, and blue sky in the background.
Automobile chassis with some assembled parts and exposed metal framework, in a workshop setting.
Rear view of a partially disassembled off-road vehicle in a garage, showing the chassis, large tires, and a rear cab window with a sticker that says 'The Rock 1889'.
A partially disassembled off-road vehicle in a garage, with large rugged tires, exposed frame, and a new coil spring suspension system visible.

Front half of the frame is sanded and then red primer is added.

Inside view of a partially disassembled vehicle chassis in a garage or workshop, with some white plastic bags covering parts of the structure.
An automotive repair shop with a partially disassembled car frame and suspension components. The image shows a dusty workshop floor and tools. A person in a gray shirt is working on the car.
A partially assembled vintage automobile chassis in a workshop, with some parts painted in a reddish-brown primer.

Front half is now painted black.

A close-up view of a vehicle's front suspension and frame under repair in a garage, with parts wrapped in protective plastic and taped.
A motorcycle frame being assembled or repaired in a garage workshop with tools and equipment visible in the background.
The image shows the undercarriage of a vehicle being repaired or assembled, with the frame and suspension components visible.
Underside of a vehicle with a black painted frame, showing suspension components and wheel area.
Close-up of a vehicle's suspension and chassis, showing red coil springs, a tire, and parts of the vehicle's frame.

Back half of the frame is sanded and then red primer is added.

Partially disassembled black truckcab with large tires, surrounded by cardboard boxes, tools, and miscellaneous items outside on gravel, with trees and a wooden fence in the background.
A man working underneath a lifted vehicle on a gravel driveway, with a wooden fence and a white shed in the background, and orange extension cords on the ground.
Disassembled vehicle frame with a black truck cab, surrounded by tools, paint cans, and a red toolbox, placed outside near a wooden fence and shed.
View of a partially disassembled truck chassis on a cardboard sheet outdoors, with the truck bed and cab removed, and painting supplies nearby.

Back half is now painted black. Now the entire frame is painted!

Woman with brown hair tied in a bun, wearing a white shirt and blue gloves, working on the frame of a black vehicle outdoors near a wooden fence and some tall grass.
A partially disassembled truck with no front body, exposing the chassis, wheels, and suspension components. The background shows a clear blue sky, trees, and a shed.
Disassembled car frame on the ground with various car parts, a fence in the background, and a shed nearby.
A partially assembled black vehicle chassis with a yellow trailer in the background, set outdoors on gravel with trees and a blue sky.