New '96 Ranger owner seeking wisdom from folks who've been there...

[T.Wolf]

I appreciate any help as well as your patience with my ignorance of the ranger. This is my first, that I've owned about a week. I put an alternator and new battery in it already. The original alternator (according to the original owner) had never been replaced at nearly 259,000 miles. Timing belts have been done at 100K increments and clutch was done at 200K. I have been trying to clean up the wiring for an old alarm system (see posts). The only items left at this point are a gas tank leak (if you fill it, it'll run, then drip down to just under 3/4 on the gauge), headliner repair or replacement, and the instrument lights (not idiot lights) are all pretty dim - I may try to tackle those.

 

[91stranger]

Up here rust is the biggest issue with anything over 15 years old. Seeing you are in Texas I doubt it is that rusty if any at all. I would check the leaf spring brackets as those are notorious for going bad. I would also check power steering lines (metal lines), check the gas tank straps. check brake lines while you are down there. I'm just so used to every vehicle having rust that these are what fail the most.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would certainly address the fuel leak first. That truck should have a plastic tank. My gut says the fuel filler hose is probably leaking but for the fuel level to drop below 3/4 tank says that might not be the case. I would get under there and have a look. you should be able to see a stained trail where the leak originates with the fuel level below the leak point. If not... fill it up til it leaks and have another look.

And.... Welcome to TRS

 

[adsm08]

the instrument lights (not idiot lights) are all pretty dim - I may try to tackle those.

Right next to the headlight switch is a roller switch for the dash light dimming. Make sure it isn't turned all the way down.

I used to see this A LOT with Fusions. People would clean the interior and suddenly either the dash lights were super dim or the dome light wouldn't go out, because they had accidentally rolled that switch all the way to one end of its travel. Rolling it all the way up past a detent will turn your dome lights on BTW.

If messing with it doesn't help the dim dash lighting I'd try replacing the bulbs (not a bad idea already) and then the dimmer, in that order.

fill it up til it leaks and have another look.

Get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-17892-Transmission-Drain-Pan/dp/B0002SR6WA/?tag=959media-20{creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583795260641716&psc=1

And one of these:

Amazon.com

(doesn't have to be that one, just one with an open top that you can be sure is good and clean inside)

then have someone fill the tank from a gas can until it starts to leak so you can find the problem spot, and catch the fuel so it doesn't get wasted.

I would say the filler neck is unlikely to be the culprit. 3/4 of a tank is pretty low for a filler to stop at, and they usually leak the whole time during fueling. I'd wager there is probably physical damage to the tank itself.

 

[T.Wolf]

I have a fairly steep driveway. If I back-up slowly, I suspect I can easily get the fuel to run out without having to fill the tank again. On a flat surface, I might even use a floor jack to accomplish the same thing by raising the rear end.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Welcome aboard!

 

[T.Wolf]

I took the bull by the horns and took out the shredded headliner over the weekend. I used the dog's slicker brush and a shop vac to clean all the old fabric and any loose foam off the fiberglass board. I bought sturdy cotton cloth and foam-backed headline fabric from Joann's. I glued the cotton to the back side of the fiberboard to help make it more rigid and hold everything together where it was trying to tear. Then I sprayed and glued the headliner to the visible side. I know I stretched it too much in a spot or two, but overall it looks awesome compared to before (I forgot to get a before pick. Trust me, it was shredded from the Texas heat since 1996).

I also discovered I could fix my dome light buy putting a stiff, but slightly flexible stick between the two map light sections, over the circuit board. The stick ends up hidden behind the bulbs, but it holds everything up. (Yes I put superglue on all the plastic spots that are supposed to be connected, but the stick holds everything in place, so no need to wait for the glue to dry).

 

[Jim Oaks]

Looks good