Help me keep my truck running

Hi, My name is Jeff and I'm living in Northern Michigan. I had a stroke in 2017 and have been unable to work since then. I am now on Social Security, too early to make the full amount, and struggling to just make it on $830 a month. As you can imagine, after rent, groceries, and utilities, plus insurance and fuel for the truck, there is not much left. That was OK until recently. You see, the truck, a 2005 Ford Ranger with the 4.0 v6 engine, needs timing chain tensioners and guides replaced. Sounds simple, but it turns out that the engine has to be pulled out to do the repair. The estimate is currently around $4000 dollars, and may go up if other issues are found when the engine is opened up. It's not even just the parts, the job is expected to take 3-4 days. That's where the cost comes. Modern vehicles, right? Anyway, with the cost of even used vehicles so high due to the chip shortage there is no way I could even think about financing a replacement truck, and with the iffy weather up here I really need the 4wd to ensure that I can make it to doctors visits and to get out to the store during the winter. The ranger was just right for that, and now this.

 

I've always been able to muddle through, even in lean times, and fix the things I rely on to keep going, but now I am stuck and really need help. I wouldn't want to put anyone in a bind, but a little from many would mean a lot. I can't offer anything back but gratitude, and that I give.