Get ready for an earful. Im not much of a mechanic but im learning so this may be a dumb thread to most of you but bear with me. I got myself a 99 Ranger 160k miles and it has some issues. A few issues. I' just wondering if it' worth getting fixed or not. First problem is the transmission went out. It would slip every now and again but one day it went out on me. I lost my power steering and the brakes were hard to press. It also lost any electrical function. Now the next day it would start up but then it would slowly die. I put a new alternator and battery in but it still won' start. At all. Then one time when it did actually start up it started leaking fuel from somewhere near the fuel filter. I don' know if it was the fuel filter or the fuel line it was hard to tell. (Side note this thing was a derby truck before i owned it amd the gas tank is held up by a 2x4 lol) Anyways the head gasket also has some oil on it but I can' see any cracks but I feel like there may be one there. Basically my questions are...

1. Why won't it start elecrically?

2. Is a used transmission worth the money?

3. Is it possible the head gasket isn' cracked?

4. Is there a single issue that could be causing all this?



The main reason I want it fixed is sentimental value. But I realize its probably just not worth it. I just want to hear some advice from a mechanic that won't charge me out the *** to look at it. Thanks for taking the time to read and for any advice.

 

Welcome to the forum

1999 Ranger

What engine size, there were 3 different engines offered in 1999, 2.5l, 3.0l, 4.0l

Transmission I assume is an automatic?
Slipping usually means automatic

Losing power brakes and power steering means the engine stalled, no connection with transmission issues.

Leaking fuel line means no gasoline at the engine so it would stall and then would not start again.

Starter motors do wear out, and they also need alot of AMPs(electrical power)
So first thing to check are the battery cables, the larger ones, at the battery and at the OTHER END of those cables,
Positive cable should go directly to starter motor
Negative cable should go to Engine block or starter motors bolt
Both need clean bare metal connections.

There is a safety feature that prevents using starter motor while "in gear"
Try shifting transmission to Neutral, instead of Park when starting
Ford column shifters are known to get loose and they don't shift all the way into Park so you get a No Crank because Neutral switch is not closed.

Cracked heads don't leak oil, they leak coolant, you have a valve cover gasket leak, not a hard fix, it won't effect engine operation

Check the battery cables
Fix the fuel leak
And report back


Used automatics are a roll of the dice, you will have no history and only the word of the seller about condition.
I assume you have checked automatic transmission fluid level and condition?
Should be red, not dark red, and should not smell "burned"

Transmission needs to match engine size and model, 4R and 5R autos were both used in 1999 so engine size will determine which model you have

 

Sounds like this is a $500 truck and rusted to hell.Id say scrap it and find something better unless its in decent shape. To get a trans rebuilt and installed is easily $1k minimum. Junkyard trans are a crapshoot. Fuel leaks can be fun - hopefully an o ring cracked at the fuel filter connection and not the hose. Prolly why you got no starting as it has no fuel pressure.