Alright im on my last nerve with this truck. It began with a loud single click when trying to start, I tried replacing the starter and nothing. Next I tried replacing the starter relay then the entire positive battery cable, worried it was corroded, and replaced the negative ground cable for the starter. At this point when trying to start the car gave a bunch of rapid clicking, and when trying to start with a new battery it gave a squeel but didnt start. Ive tried spark starting by skipping the whole ignition switch on the starter too and nothing... Please helpp

 

Take your starter out try running it uninstalled to verify operation.
If it works try to turn engine ether with a 19 mm socket on front or screw driver levering ring gear on the back.
verifie engine is free.
Let me know.

 

One more thing what year truck automatic or stantdard.
Ok thats two things

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, we assume it is a Ranger but what year and what engine?

Also manual or automatic?

Have you tried to turn the engine manually, i.e. put a socket wrench on main pulling(crank shaft) and see if you can turn it

If starter can not turn the engine when you give it 12volts directly then maybe engine is seized.
Easy to test for, to take it off the table, or not waste more time on starter issue

 

Nice to meet you RonD.

 

Hey nice to meet you. Its a 91 XLT RWD standard with the inline 4 2.3l. I tested the starter unconnected to the transmission and it spun fine but when I tried to crank the engine manually with a socket, nothing... Is my engine really seized? It had oil, coolant, etc??

 

2.3l has a timing belt, and they can break, NO engine damage will occur if that happens, but belt can get twisted around and stuck in the crank gear so engine can not be turned.
This is most likely what happened, look under timing belt cover at the top, to see if belt is still around the CAM gear


Pull out 1 spark plug from each cylinder.
It is possible the engine is hydro-locked, either coolant or fuel has leaked into a cylinder so it can no longer move.

I assume transmission feels "OK" when you shift it so is going into neutral.

 

Was this thing making any unsual noises when you shut down last time.