Easy Hans!!.. I didnt mean any insult to either you, or your car!!
Or suggest that you should strip a Boeing 747 of its tail assembly and fit it as a spoiler!.. In fact I really really hope that you don't!!

My concern is, that, I myself, has just come home after spending a year away from my old car (citroen zx).. And I have looked in chock at level of havoc one years worth of being in my moms "care" has brought upon this quite tough little car..
So what I was hinting , (and i guess it came out wrong then), was a well meant concern as to what a year of similar treatment might do to your (not quite so tough) Rancho while you are away.
Ive had a soft spot for Rancho since I got model one as a kid(white/blue and with a little trailer containing two "water scooters"...COOL!

) You said it yourself.. its more then 25 years old.. and I would hate to see it deteriorate too much for you to repair.
As for the modification discussion.. we could go on and on.. so I wont

..
But after seeing those two turbo engines destined for your Murena, I wouldn't have taken you for a "purist"