1987 Ranger
 

Ok, my friends dad has a 1987 ford ranger, 2.9L FI 5spd and he is giving it to my friend if he gets it running. So of course he came to me, I talked to his dad and he said the alternator was bad and it needed tie rod ends. Ive had a couple of rangers before and I know a decent amount about them, but never the 2.9 FI. I read that the voltage regulator can go out and it will be as though the alternator is bad. Which has a higher chance of failing? I know I can take the alternator in to be tested but I was curious about this. Btw I usually spend most of my time around dodge forum so I probably wont be around too much...