Well not new ranger...I have a 94 Ranger that we just recently replaced the fuel pump on it. I think we messed something up with the ground wire. A good friend and Master Mechanic advice that I just run a new ground wire . I figured it was a small amount of money and it couldn't hurt and hopefully helps.

I'm a 50-plus female and haven't worked on cars much or trucks but it's on my bucket list and I'm not afraid to try . i just need to know where I could run a new ground wire from the bed to the frame truck I've looked at it and seen a couple of good spots . I m just not confident enough I'd appreciate the advice and or feedback

 

Welcome to the forum

That seems an odd failure
There were 4 wires on the fuel pump assembly connector
Pink/black stripe <<< 12volt power for pump, from fuel pump relay in engine bay
Black <<< ground for pump

Yellow/white <<< power for sender(fuel gauge)
Black/yellow stripe <<< ground for sender

So there are two grounds at the pump location, and both use the same G104 ground point, not sure where that is, but if your gas gauge seems to work then that ground point, G104, is OK
So if you suspect a bad ground then get access to the top of the gas tank, lift the bed or pull it back is the best method, just 6 screws, and 3 screws on filler

The 4 wires do come down in a harness so you could test the black wire to see if its a good ground, OHM Meter

Pump is for sure not grounded to the bed, it might be grounded to the frame, but its most likely grounded inside the cab, G104 is probably in the cab


The more common failure is a bad out of the box new fuel pump, happens quite often now-a-days
Or a tripped inertia switch, or a failing fuel pump relay

Just FYI, the fuel pump ONLY RUNS for 2 seconds when you turn on the key, this is a safety feature
You can turn the key off and then on again to get another 2 seconds of run time, repeat as much as you want
This can confuse any mechanic who is not used to Ford safety systems

The computer controls the fuel pump power, once engine RPMs get above 400 the computer will turn on the fuel pump full time
Cranking speed(starter motor) is 200rpms

The reason for this is if there is an accident and a fuel line breaks the electric fuel pump would just keep on pumping out gasoline until battery died, that would be a BAD thing, lol
But if a fuel line should break the engine WOULD stall, no fuel, and drop under 400rpms, so pump would be shut off, so safety feature

Fuel pumps are not quiet, you can hear the HUMMMM in the cab when you turn the key on, listen for it, repeat off and on as much as you like
Should hear a "click" from two relays in the cab fuse box, and then a HUMMMM for 2 seconds behind the cab