Hey guys. My question is about what to do with my daughters 99 2.5L automatic single cab/short bed base ranger. It's a plan jane truck. That's what she wanted because there's less to go out. IE..pdl, pw, ect. We bought it about 1.5 years ago and it's been a money pit. I saw that because I've had to do a lot of things to it to bring it back to good running order. Maintenance and parts that had wore out. It now has about 255k on it. The transmission had to be rebuilt shortly after buying it. They had to replace the wiring harness and torque converter and everything else. So it's like a new one. The truck as a whole is in great condition. Tires are new. Ect... My question is what do I do with it. I'm pretty good with a wrench. When you first start it, you can hear the lower end just for a second. If you don't know anything about cars, then you wouldn't hear it. Same with the values. It's just a second or so. Not long at all. The truck is well maintained now. It's an automatic, so new it was new. It was a slug @119 HP. But now it's a snail. Take off and low speed is great. But after that there's not much. You have to use a lot of pedal to get it up to 70ish. And don't try keeping speed up going up a slight hill. If you push the gas pedal down anymore, it just drops into pg and just goes no where. I had it checked out and they were leaning towards the fuel pump or for. Cats good. All that is good. The point about the fuel is correct in how it's acting. I've been suspicious about it. But I'm sidetracking. In the current condition it's only worth about $200 as a trade-in, per KBB on these #. Around $7-800 if I sale it. I'm pretty sure that I can get more than that. But that's what KBB says. It's so she can go to college and she doesn't live at home. So budget is tight. So should I just do a motor for around $12-1500 with me installing it. And swop over what I can and just by the other stuff that can't be or shouldn't be used. Being on a tight budget. I won't skimp on replacing iffy parts. I'm not that Guy. Just a problem that will happen later. So realistically. I'm probably looking at $2-2300 to do a motor. Or do I just run it until it dies and get something else that's a little bit better on gas and will pass a car😂 or just put a motor and keep going. I'm just worried about it not ever being just right after a motor. Sometimes they do run just right after it. There's always a bug somewhere you're chasing. So keep or not.

 

Honestly I would do a compression check first. This will tell you more of what may or may not be wrong. One thing to remember is the cylinder head is the lifeline for power. These engines are known for recessed valves at about this mileage. A lose timing belt can cause lower power as well. Chances are the lower end is OK and to do the head will run about $600 to $700 with a rebuilt head, new head bolts (A MUST!), new water pump, timing belt and all gaskets and you doing the labor. (I'm actually doing this right now on my 1998 2.5L)
The other option would be to sell it for +/- $1000 and put in some extra and get her a new more reliable car for college.

 

Ya. I've been reading about the value issue with them. But everywhere I've read here and elsewhere have said that the engine is a great little engine besides it being a heavy chunk of metal. 😋 It's a good little truck. Other than the fact the motor is wearing out. It's good elsewhere. The inside is not trashed or broken up. Undercarriage is good. Paint buffs out fine. Just needs a left front fender that's dented. AC works. I just need to fix it from changing from vent to deforest and back. I just have money in it. She's 19 and it's her first car. So it's going to get a dent. So I don't really want to get rid of it but I really know that I should cut my losses and go on. It's not sentimental or anyting. Just don't know if I should spend more money on something that I know I'll never get a small amount back if I was to sale it. Or buy something else that's used and unknown to me.

 

I'm in the same boat with my 1998. I'm doing the head right now. Should have it finished this weekend. It's in great shape. Interior is great. I put new tires, shocks, injectors, and a few other items. Even after doing the head I'll be in it for about what I can get out of it. May lose some but I actually plan on keeping it now for a long time as my daily driver and keeping the miles of my big truck! (06 Ram Megacab Cummins)