Yesterday I get in my 92 ranger and start the motor as usual. It cranks right up. Trying to let the motor warm up for a minute or two and before I can put it in reverse the motor stops. Won't crank back up, won't push start and started getting smoke out of the negative battery terminal. A friend suggested replacing the starter. After doing so I still get the same result.

I let the battery charge overnight because it seemed week. Fully charged and the motor sounds like it has a dead battery. Also I get this loud high pitched noise like an old motor trying to turn over for the first time in forever (metal on metal). Have plenty of oil and water in the correct locations. It does need a valve cover gasket but that's for another time.

any ideas as to what would cause the truck to continue to not crank.

 

Welcome to the forum

2.3l Lima engine uses a timing BELT and these do break, engine would die of course and not restart, and belt can get jamb so starter motor can't turn the engine.

You are not clear if starter motor is turning the engine but engine is just not starting up.
But since you changed the starter motor then I assume old starter was not turning the engine and neither is new starter, right?

Won't push start, assume manual transmission, but does engine turn or did back wheels skid?

"Smoke from negative battery terminal" happened when trying use starter motor or push starting?

If starter can turn engine now but it sounds funny then could be timing belt.
Trying looking under the belt's cover to see if you can see it, and it is moving when starter motor is.

Just for me
Crank means engine is turning
Start means engine starts up

Can't get engine to crank would mean starter motor is not turn engine
Some use "crank" to mean "startup"
So "engine won't crank" means it is turning fine just not starting up, so it can get confusing

 

Sorry for the confusion. The motor will turn extremely slow when trying to crank it. The timing belt is in good shape and still in place.

when trying to crank the motor I can see the timing belt and gears moving but again it's very slow. 3-4 seconds for a full rotation of the camshaft.

the battery terminal only smokes when turning the key or starting it from the solenoid.

when I push start it, it stops immediately.

 

So push starting starts engine but it dies instantly.

Unfortunately it reads like a spun main bearing.
Remove 1 spark plug from each cylinder then activate starter motor
Should spin very very fast with no compression
Also with spark plugs out try to turn crank with socket on crank pulley bolt
Should also spin very very easily