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Well folks, like I said, had I inspected the cambelt at some point in the last 3 years I would have seen how cracked and weathered it was. It was not a bad job, what is tough on a 1998 4 banger Ranger is replacing the spark plugs. You have to separate the intake manifold to replace the drivers side spark plugs. It has two per cylinder. When I pulled number 1 plug to run it up to TDC while doing the cambelt, I discovered the plugs were shot. I am surprised the engine ran at all. I am not that familiar with these engines, I wonder if the second plug set is for exhaust/emissions burn off rather than the power stroke?
Anyway, I got her running like a Swiss watch just in time to clip a big female deer in the hind quarter Wednesday morning on the way to work. Luckily I swerved and it just took out my drivers side headlamp and turn /marker signals. It did crack my grill but the Ranger has 250,000 on it so I am not concerned with the cosmetics

That's just plain bad luck! But...did you at least get to stock up the freezer with venison?

Lifer, I was doing 65mph on the freeway, needless to say I did not stop. Had it happened on a rural route I would have kept it.

Well, dang! Bad luck followed by worse luck. Just wasn't a great day for you, was it?

Well this past weekend when I thought I would be winterizing the rig and putting it up on jackstands in 30 degree weather, I was treated to a weekend of 65 degrees and sunshine. I put about 50 more miles on her

Weather's been great here to. Put about 100 miles on mine this week so far.