Jim bought his first 1966 Ford Bronco in the late 1980s and started wrenching on it in a back alley in Stockton, California, parting out classic Broncos and learning what really worked in the real world. What began as a personal project turned into a full-time Bronco business in 1989, when Jim left roofing and opened his first dedicated shop.
Over the decades, that one-man operation grew into WILD HORSES 4x4—now a 41,000 square-foot facility in Lodi, CA, shipping thousands of Bronco parts while staying focused on real-world testing and support. Today, Jim remains the technical backbone of WILD HORSES 4x4.
Every part added to the catalog is evaluated against Jim’s standards. In many cases, that evaluation includes hands-on installation, real-world driving, trail use, or long-term observation before the product is ever offered for sale. Fitment, durability, and function matter more than trends or marketing claims.
With over 37 years of Early Bronco experience, Jim’s knowledge spans every major system on the vehicle—suspension, steering, drivetrain, braking, electrical, and body components. That experience doesn’t come from theory or manuals, but from decades of building, breaking, fixing, and refining Broncos in real conditions.
How Jim’s expertise shows up on the site
Jim’s influence isn’t limited to one page or one product. You’ll see it throughout the site in:
- Fitment notes that prevent common install mistakes.
- Product selections that favor proven designs over cheap alternatives.
- Technical guidance passed down through install tips and support conversations.
- Videos and demonstrations that show parts used the way they’re meant to be used.
- Long-term product decisions based on performance, not margin.
When a product carries WILD HORSES branding or recommendation, it reflects a level of scrutiny shaped by decades of firsthand experience.
A standard built over time
Early Broncos aren’t modern vehicles, and they don’t respond well to shortcuts. Parts that look good on paper often fail in the real world. Jim learned that early in the back alleys and small shops that led to WILD HORSES, and it’s why the company has always taken a slower, more deliberate approach to product selection.
That mindset—test first, sell second—continues to guide the business today. Whether you’re restoring a stock Bronco or building something meant to be driven hard, the goal is the same: parts that fit right, work right, and hold up over time. That’s the standard Jim set when WILD HORSES began, and it’s the standard that still defines the catalog today.