OK, if you think the garter spring may be stuck or rusted, spray something like WD-40 around the spring, let it set a while, spray a little more, then insert the tool & while pushing it in, rotate it 180 deg to help make sure the tool is going all the way in & the garter spring is turning loose all the way around. Then while pushing the tool in with your thumb, be pulling/inching the fuel line out with your fingers. For mine its kinda a push the tool in with the thumb & pull with the fingers dance, along with some of my saved up strongest words of persuasion, don't know that its made it turn loose easier, but sure made me feel better, cause sometimes things just need a good ole fashion cussin!!! lol

On the no crank/no lights, check both battery cable connections on both ends. They need to be clean, bright & tight. This includes the B+ connections to the battery post, alternator & underhood power diatribution box & B- battery to the battery post, engine & body ground connections.
Also measure under load voltage, (say with the lights & blower motor on high speed), across the battery posts, then across the cable clamp connectors, to make sure you don't have an under load voltage drop from a bad/weak battery cell, or corroded/high resistance battery cable clamp connection at the battery posts.
Then while your at it, do the same voltage drop test at the alternator, power distribution box & starter motor connections, to make sure none of those connections are corrupt.

If all that checks out ok, make sure the inline B+ cable fuseable link is ok, not blown, or with a bad connection.

More thoughts for consideration, keep us posted on your trouble shoot.

 

Oops! Written in error...

 

I forgot to update you on the truck. I finally replaced the filter and some other minor issues. Unfortunately, the truck is most likely gone now. My brother was hit on the freeway by a swerving driver causing the airbags to deploy. I haven't seen the truck yet but it supposedly has a lot of damage.

I really appreciate all the help, as of now it seems like I won't be using the ranger forum for awhile.

 

OK, good feedback on finally getting the fuel filter changed out. Too bad about the Ranger accident, hope your Brother is ok, fenders can be changed, bumpers & air bags replaced, metal dents beat out, but getting our bodies dinged up is a danged site more serious & more difficult to get over!!!