I have a 98 2.5L XLT standard cab with step sides. standard everything probably. This is effectively my first car and I've had it for over 10 years. It has a lot of sentimental value last August it threw a row and blew a hole into the engine block. I have a picture of somewhere if you guys are interested in that. It's been sitting in my driveway for over a year now and I have been trying to convince myself to junk it.

Now the rub, I have always wanted to do an in-depth restoration on a car. Now I'm thinking why not this car? I probably care about it as much as I could care about any other car. I want to get some people's opinions on this. I have never taken the car to the mechanic and fixed everything myself which actually hasn't been much. Alternator, radiator, replacing the super squeaky suspension, Removing and cleaning the upper intake manifold and replace some tubes and things related to that. that's the extent of my knowledge but I like to think I'm a quick learner.

I have been progressing pretty well in my career the past few years but at the moment money is still very tight. If I do this it would be a very slow process and I would need to know it's worth it. I noticed things started breaking at an accelerated rate near the end, ESPECIALLY any plastic I touched.

Should I even try? Estimated cost? Random thoughts? I just created this account but I've been circling this forum for as long as I've had the car. I appreciate it.

How much time and effort you want to put into it is up to you. Sentimental value only goes so far, once you try to sell it that goes out the window.

I personally have sunk way too much money in my 92 Ranger, and I still have plans for more work. But I taught myself how to work on cars with this truck and the truck is exactly what I wanted. So I don't care that I have more money in it than it's worth.

You have to decide what works best for you

I am completely aware that it will NOT sell for anywhere near what I would need to put into it but let's say i put 10k into it over 3 or 4 years which is including the price of a new block. you think I would get another like 15 years out of it? or would it end up being a lot more than 10k?

edit: Also I bet my father-in-law $100 that my 6-month old son is going to learn how to drive stick in that truck so that's a factor too haha

I don't know your particular truck so I can't tell you how long it will last.
There is a lot more to it than just the engine. I can tell you that I expect my Ranger to last pretty much forever. My 92 Ranger is newer underneath than my 2015 Camaro

The truck would sell for $2500-$3000 in fully functioning good shape. Looks like you will spend way more than the truck is worth when fixing it up.
Junk it

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You could go the same route I chose when I had my 1998. I got a used engine from a scrap yard with low mileage on it for about $300. Swapped the old engine for the new one and drove it. The current owner is still driving it eight years later. Just pay attention to detail like I did and it will fire right up the first time you try.


Since mine was a stick and the donor engine was from an automatic, I had to keep the old wire harness and swap the fly wheel. While I had the engine out, I replaced the clutch, slave cylinder, pilot bearing. So, if you have a clutch, these might be things you'll need to consider. I can't remember how much the clutch kit and slave cylinder cost. Figure $600 on top of the engine and that will get you in the ball park.

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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap

Thank you, this was actually a super useful reply. I'm also manual and I doubt I'll be able to find a junk manual engine so very useful to keep in mind. You got some youtube videos or something on the process? Also so I know what I need. I'm sure at the very least I would need something to carry the engine out.

Sorry, no videos that I know of and I don't make any. You could search to see if there is anything out there for your engine. fordtechmakuloco on youtube might have what you need.


The front of the transmission is supported by the engine, so you will need a jack to hold the front end up before pulling the engine. A crane type engine puller works best and a load leveler to angle the engine out of the bay will be needed.


Engine Puller



Load leveler



You will need to remove the hood to do the job.


Working on the engine, an engine stand is handy but not a requirement. You could set the engine down on some blocks with the puller still attached to hold the engine steady while you remove and install stuff.


Disconnecting the engine itself is pretty straight forward. Anything that connects the engine to the truck needs to be disconnected. Fuel line, vacuum lines, exhaust pipe, air intake, wiring (there will be wires running back to the transmission as well as the firewall), and engine mounts. I'm sure I'm missing things. Take your time and look EVERYWHERE on top and under the engine. A Chilton or Haynes manual helps, especially for things like depressurizing the fuel system and torque values.


It's not a hard job (at least to me it isn't), it just takes time, patience, and attention to detail. You do it right, you'll get it running the first time you try.

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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap

Thank you so much! That is definitely a huge headstart. I got a chilton already so that's one thing down.....

You know as well as me that of all the major Ranger Projects discussed on this forum only about 10% are actually completed.

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"I have been progressing pretty well in my career the past few years but at the moment money is still very tight. If I do this it would be a very slow process and I would need to know it's worth it. I noticed things started breaking at an accelerated rate near the end, ESPECIALLY any plastic I touched.

Should I even try? Estimated cost? Random thoughts? I just created this account but I've been circling this forum for as long as I've had the car. I appreciate it."


If money is actually tight then it is fiscally irresponsible to own more than one vehicle........especially a second vehicle that is falling apart.
To make it even less practical, it's a 22 year old regular cab.

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Fuck Chilton's. You need to get the Ford factory service manuals. Check eBay.

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It's a long term project vehicle. Mine is a 27 year old extended cab. What's your point?

I don't disagree. I went the factory manual route but a lot of people balk at the price for one. I get factory manual for everything I work on when I can. Unfortunately, a lot manuals are digital only now. I prefer hard copies myself. I had to go digital with my girlfriend's Nissan and my 2019 Ranger. Yuck.

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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap