I have a 94 Mazda B4000 (basically a Ford Ranger w/ a 4.0 V6), it has about 103,000 on it.  It just started making some bad sounds that I can’t quite pin down.  When idling there is a “tinny” sound coming from the area around the driveshaft or transmission (it has a manual trans).  It almost sounds like rattling tin or something like that.  When backing up you hear the same sound, accompanied with a whine.

I don’t have the money to take it in right now, if it is something that I can fix myself I will try, but need to pin down what is wrong first.  If you can point me in the right direction maybe I can figure it out from there.  I will be able to take it in to a shop in about 2 weeks, hopefully it holds out that long.

Throwout bearing maybe?

Also might be the inspection cover for the clutch housing, but my vote goes to the cat heat shield.

Get under the truck, and listen while it's running..Also, have someone move it while you walk alongside, listening to it..

Note if the noise goes away when the clutch is depressed, this will help isolate weither it's the throwout bearing/pilot bearing, or something else..

While you're under there, check the exhaust for loose clamps, heat shields(as reccomended) and check the transmission fluid..(Note what the fluid looks like.Draining it into a clean clear plastic jug can help spot excessive metal contamination..)

Good luck-
Meplat-