My son was driveing on interstate when truck started loseing power. he started giveing more gas. then it dies on hom and starts smoking. motor turns but won't start. checked oil for water and it was clean. anybody got any idea before i start dumping money in it. i dont want to fix head gasket if its something easier.

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1996 xlt extended cab 4.0 manual trans heavy duty rear shocks. tough little truck.

My truck did that when the power steering pulley locked up. See if it will start without the belt

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Also check the coolant after it cools down

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2006 Ranger Sport 4x4 4.0L AUTOMATIC

Mods include 33X11.5 M/T's, blacked out rims and lights, CB radio, alpine stereo system, cranked T bars, blacked out emblems.. More to come very soon

that would explain smoke i 'll start ther power steering pump was getting noisey right before this happened. thanks i keep people posted.

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1996 xlt extended cab 4.0 manual trans heavy duty rear shocks. tough little truck.

ok it wasn't the power steering pump. i pulled the belt off and it spins free. anybody got any more suggestions. i have a bad habit of fixing 10 things to find the 1 problem. and that gets expensive

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1996 xlt extended cab 4.0 manual trans heavy duty rear shocks. tough little truck.

If your still looking for input yours is showing signs of a bad headgasket or head. My 2.9 did the same thing

Start by troubleshooting all the obvious things, air, spark, fuel. Always start with the easy/cheap stuff, don't assume the worst.

If the engine cranks it should be able to start unless there is a huge obvious problem.