Paul & Joann P. Wolverine # 386
Paul & Joann joined the Wolverines back in 1978. While JoAnn is not a big fan of going on trail rides, she is understanding of his addiction. To say Paul seeks out the unusual could be an understatement. From his days racing with "Mighty Rusty" which was a 1974 GMC Jimmy minus the doors to a Geo Tracker tackling the Rockies he has done most if not all of it. After "Mighty Rusty" got too rusty, Paul's brother gave him a 94 Ford Ranger pickup with a seized motor for a parts vehicle. A little fabrication here and there and presto you have a V-8 Ranger running full width "Blazer" axles with 37-inch tires. Paul added Jeep flares up front to keep the mud contained and sourced a dually fender kit for the rear. When it was all done it looked like a big Tonka pickup truck.
With his new "Ranger" he could even tow his popup camper with him now. The Ranger lasted a good number of years before falling victim to salt and a tired Chevrolet heartbeat. Paul once again started measuring and discovered a Bronco II was almost the same wheelbase as the short bed Ranger. This time around he went with a fuel injected V8 and installed a second transfer case for the ultimate in gearing options. Since he had a little room out front and, in the rear, he was able to squeeze in winches at both ends. Now that he successfully coupled a GM drive train to a Ford body, he added a Cherokee steering shaft to complete his build. The tilt front end allows easy access to the engine compartment and the dual fans sounds like an airplane taking off as they attempt to cool the engine.
Over the years he has traveled with the club to near and far places. From the Mounds in Flint to Ouray Colorado and down to the Smoky Mountain Trek and back up to Gitchee Gumee he has really done it all. Paul is the only two-time recipient of the Wolverine Four-Wheeler of The Year in 1986 and again in 2004. Paul has helped lead trails at a Jeep Jamboree and at Sno*Blind in West Branch. When he was a Sno*Guide in his trusty tracker he was actually the 2nd vehicle down the trail as he could not break through the drifts but was able to provide proper direction. Over the past 44-years Paul has held every position within the club. Paul's son Eric is also active in the club and his grandson Knowlton is learning from one of the best! We are all waiting for what Paul will show up with for the next trail ride.
With his new "Ranger" he could even tow his popup camper with him now. The Ranger lasted a good number of years before falling victim to salt and a tired Chevrolet heartbeat. Paul once again started measuring and discovered a Bronco II was almost the same wheelbase as the short bed Ranger. This time around he went with a fuel injected V8 and installed a second transfer case for the ultimate in gearing options. Since he had a little room out front and, in the rear, he was able to squeeze in winches at both ends. Now that he successfully coupled a GM drive train to a Ford body, he added a Cherokee steering shaft to complete his build. The tilt front end allows easy access to the engine compartment and the dual fans sounds like an airplane taking off as they attempt to cool the engine.
Over the years he has traveled with the club to near and far places. From the Mounds in Flint to Ouray Colorado and down to the Smoky Mountain Trek and back up to Gitchee Gumee he has really done it all. Paul is the only two-time recipient of the Wolverine Four-Wheeler of The Year in 1986 and again in 2004. Paul has helped lead trails at a Jeep Jamboree and at Sno*Blind in West Branch. When he was a Sno*Guide in his trusty tracker he was actually the 2nd vehicle down the trail as he could not break through the drifts but was able to provide proper direction. Over the past 44-years Paul has held every position within the club. Paul's son Eric is also active in the club and his grandson Knowlton is learning from one of the best! We are all waiting for what Paul will show up with for the next trail ride.
It's a Bronco II? Well kind of actually the heart beat of Chevrolet as it started out as a 1974 GMC Jimmy (think of it as a Blazer). The Bronco actually has two transfer cases and had a throttle body motor (fuel injected) upgrade as well. All the gauges work as they are a cross between Ford and Chevy. He did not forget about Jeep as the steering shaft is from a Cherokee. At one time he was even running Geo Tracker center caps on his wheels.
|
Paul picked up this clean 1976 CJ7 from a fellow club member.
|
A S10 Blazer for four-wheeling? Why not!!
|
Not a four-wheel drive but very cool still.
|
They new an improved GMC Jimmy AKA Ford Ranger. Paul drove it all the way from Michigan to Tennessee.
|
Bill G. telling Paul just a little to the left as Mike B looks on. Eric his son looks a bit worried and can't decide whether to bail out or not.
|
Wolverine work day with Paul's gold Blazer in the background.
|
Paul's borrowed Jeep CJ5. He replaced many parts and got it running for the Smoky Mountain Trek.
|
We even had a party for Paul when he retired the first time!
|
Never too young to teach them how to drive a stick shift.
|
A inside joke. Do you see the dinosaur?
|
Joann is posing with Paul's mighty Geo Tracker as they were tackling the trails in Colorado back in 2002.
|
Twelve years later now pictured with his grandson.
|
It was truly amazing where Paul and his trusty Tracker would go together!
|