Hello all. I am new to this forum and new to the Ford Community.

My Dad passed away recently and left me a 1999 Ford Ranger.

I have joined this forum with hopes of finding some help with getting it road worthy again and am hoping in the future to restore it to a vehicle that he himself would have been proud to own.

I plan on posting in the various proper forum areas in due time for for the time being for anyone interested that can offer a helping hand I would like to provide a brief synopsis of my current situation.

I have a 2.5L 4 Cylinder (I think) 1999 Regular Cab Ford Ranger. The engine is burning oil (I think, I have to poor 1-3 quarts of oil into it every 100ish miles) it will not going into gear when driving (Slave Cylinder as I have gathered from reading other posts) and the interior and exterior are in very bad shape.

Everyone I speak to says I should junk it and be done but this is not an easy thing to come to terms with for me so I am hoping this is the place to seek some help.

You may find this hard to believe based on the above paragraph but my Dad was a Mechanic for 29 Years and I really want to turn this truck into something that he himself would have been proud to own. Also, I would like to make it into something that will last me for several years to come.

I know nothing about automobiles beyond changing the oil and/or tires... Although I am rapidly learning about different engine components (i.e. Slave Cylinder, Master Cylinder, Pistons, etc.)

I would like some help diagnosing engine problems (burning oil) as well as some advice moving forward with how to improve performance.

As the son of a mechanic I have picked up a few things over the years and am looking for someone to help fill in some gaps. For example, I would love the put a better engine in this truck, especially since the engine in it most likely has to be replaced. How can I get more info on that. I know at one point all my Dad wanted to do was throw a Chevy Big Block in everything he laid eyes on but I don't know if that is a thing anymore.

So, can anyone tell me what to look for in terms of a better performance based engine? Also, I would like to look into either raising or lowering the truck, should I just look at springs? I am a large person and this is a regular cab size truck, I think that removing the 60/40 Bench and putting in some bucket seats should allow for some more room in the driver seat. I know there is spotty information around the web in regards to this very modification but can anyone provide any information on which seats fit in this truck?

This is a 2WD truck, I know that Rangers come in 4X4, if I found a 4X4 in a junkyard, what would I need to take from it to make this truck a 4X4? Is this practical?

The Carpet in this truck is destroyed. Can anyone recommend a good site to buy make/model specific carpet from?

I know this post is long but I hope that someone takes the time to read it and if you do I greatly appreciate any help you can offer.

Thank you.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)

Welcome to the site!

Make sure to post your 'technical' questions in the appropriate sections as not everyone reads the 'intro threads'.

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Curent 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 owner - Build Thread for her: Logan's 2003 Mach 1

Former 2003 Ford Ranger owner - Build Thread for her: Project Budget Buster

First, welcome to FRF, the intro section is not a good place to find info and it is best to use the search bar and create new threads in the correct area. I will answer best I can for now...

Before insisting it is burning oil, have you looked for leaks?

And my truck was doing that with the transmission locking up, I believe it was my pilot bearing but it is best to replace everything anyways.

How bad shape are we talking, can you post some pictures?

You are doing this for you and your father... Don't pay the least attention to their crap.

I could not even (correctly) change my oil when I joined, now I have done so much research that I help fix up my friends vehicles all the time... You'll get there!

This part you may need to post a more detailed question in the 4cyl section...

And the best way to get more preformance os a V8 swap (the 5.0 from Explorers is a common one)

For the engine, many people have done a 5.0 swap as I stated earlier, I doubt a big block would fit. To find countless how tos or to follow the builds of others just search... Or to thread jump TheRangerStation.com has a how to and parts needed list.

We have a sticky here, search for seat swap info, if you can't find it or have questions, PM me and I'll help you through.

This is a tough order...
Lets say there were 4 frames to keep this easy. Reg cab 2 and 4 wheel, and ext. cab 2 and 4 wheel.
The frame you are wanting is a pretty rare thing, as there are not many 98+ 4x4 Rangers are not easy to find and you may not want to look in junkyards for a frame (unless it was not in a wreck and the forklifts they have do not damage them).

What I think you should do is find a 01 to 05 EDGE or 06+ Sport with an undamaged frame, convert it to 4x4 and swap it in, but that will cost lots of time and money.

I have not found a good site that can, and am planning to get outdoor carpet to do mine with.

Enjoy the Forums!

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Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15

Welcome to FRF

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Welcome, Glad you found us. Have fun and enjoy FRF. Sorry for your loss. Hope you get all the help you need.
From Don
Grove City, Ohio.

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Myrtle: & Danna
1999 Ranger 4x4 3.0 Stepside Ext Cab XLT
2000 Mustang 4.6 Roush Supercharged ( Show Car )
1984 Elcamino 350 330 HP ( Nick's Show Car )
1959 Wife ( Arm Candy )
Danna passed away 5/26/2016

I have done a quick look over the engine bay area and did not see anything, but after some reading, I am going to get under the truck one day this week to look for leaks. The hardest part is not knowing exactly what I am looking at/for.

I will try to get some pictures, after doing some youtubing and what-not. It may not be AS BAD as I led on, a good buff/wax/polish may help, but there are areas where the paint is severely damage straight through clear coat-> paint-> primer and you can see bare metal...

There is actually an amazingly detailed post on TheRangerStation.com Thank you for showing me the way. It will take me some time to decipher all the jargin but I look forward to working on the shopping list for this and trying to make it happen, because I have seen some youtube videos and this looks amazing!

I have seen this sticky I believe, but it just says, "These years work!" and doesnt say "For these year vehicles" so I got discouraged there as I have zero knowledge of this to try to piece information together.

Thank you so much for such an informational post!

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2.5L 5-Speed 1999 Ford Ranger XLT Regular Cab

Welcome, I've brought many a vehicle back from the dead. Not as bad as you might be thinkng.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).